# Founding of the Kraków Academy (1364)

URL: https://poland-history.com/timeline/1364-founding-of-the-krakow-academy
Location: Kraków
Categories: main-event

Casimir III founded the Kraków Academy, now the Jagiellonian University, the second university in Central Europe after Prague. Within the broader Restored Kingdom period: Władysław the Elbow-high and Casimir the Great rebuilt a united Kingdom of Poland, codifying laws, founding a university and expanding to the south-east, before the crown passed to the Angevins. At this point in the timeline (12 May 1364), the governing authority was Casimir III the Great (King of Poland). Last Piast king; codified law, founded the Kraków Academy, fortified the country and expanded it into Red Ruthenia. Founding of the Kraków Academy mattered because education and learning sustained Polish culture and trained future generations of leaders. The event is placed here so readers can follow it alongside changes in government, warfare, society, religion and culture across Polish history.

## Why it matters
Founding of the Kraków Academy mattered because education and learning sustained Polish culture and trained future generations of leaders.

Ruler at the time: [Casimir III the Great](https://poland-history.com/rulers/casimir-iii-the-great)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — Jagiellonian University](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jagiellonian_University)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — Founding of the Kraków Academy](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Founding+of+the+Krak%C3%B3w+Academy)
- [Wikipedia — Casimir III the Great (period overview)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casimir_III_the_Great)