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Infotext: Krakow - Renaissance - Mining

The ornamental lavaliere of the Goldsmith Guild, Kraków 17th century. The Historical Museum of the City of Kraków, MHK 682/II.

At the beginning of modern times, one of the biggest lead ore deposits in Eastern Europe was found in Poland.

In the 16th century, lead was widely used. Metal and building crafts utilized considerable amounts of lead, and the steel industry and weaponry were its main buyers.

Prospecting of mineral deposits required the King’s privilege and substantial financial outlays. In the first part of the 16th century, Michał Meidel, an important merchant and wholesaler from Hungary, was actively engaged in prospecting activities. He was a banker, royal court supplier and the owner of steel works. In 1523, Meidel went into partnership with Paweł Kaufman, a trader and Kraków councillor granted the King’s privilege to build a manufacture in the vicinity of Kraków. With the help of innovative equipment, wires and metal plates were produced there. In 1504, Zejfryd Betman, another city councillor, and then Jan Boner, paid the Olkusz “olbora” (royal income from mining). They were setting up special companies for extracting and trading lead. In 1524, they received the King’s privilege enabling them to prospect in the Tatra Mountains, and then expanded to the Carpathian Mountains and Spiš. Justus Ludwik Decjusz was a member of a similar company founded a little later. In the 16th century, the Kraków nobility became interested in the Olkusz mining. Stanisław Lubomirski (the Kraków voivod), Piotr Zborowski (the Kraków voivod and starost performing function of żupnik) and Justus Ludwik Decjusz were the important figures dealing with the salt trade and production at that time.

The Symbol of the Kraków Kur’s Fraternity (Volunteer Guard Society), Kraków 1564/1565. Silver, precious stones. The Historical Museum of the City of Kraków, MHK 179/BrK.9.

Olbora: income from mining activities received by the King.

Żupnik: the administrator of the mines and the mining region, łac. zupparius salis.