“The Benedictine Abbey in Tyniec” NBP new commemorative coin

A new collector coin of the series “Discover Poland” – “The Benedictine Abbey in Tyniec” is available for sale from 22 May 2024. The collector coin with a face value of 5 złoty has been minted in a circulation standard with a decorative reverse featuring the image of the monastery in Tyniec. The coin has been minted in up to 1,000,000 pieces. It is possible to exchange the coin at its face value at all NBP regional branches.

The Benedictine Abbey in Tyniec, founded in 1044,is the oldest existing monastery in Poland. Thus, it is a unique witness to the development of monasticism in Europe and to the long and turbulent history of Poland: from the dawn of statehood, through its golden age, the partitions, to its rebirth in the 20th century.

The oldest preserved parts of the monastery date back to the turn of the 11th and 12th centuries. In 1125, the consecration of the Romanesque basilica took place. Subsequent reconstructions and architectural details reflect the changes in Polish art over the centuries – the cloisters and church walls are Gothic, the vaults and polychromes are Renaissance, and the décor with furnishings is Mannerist and Baroque. During archaeological excavations conducted after World War II, the remains of the oldest architecture of the monastery complex were uncovered: the foundations and lower parts of the walls of a Romanesque basilica and refectory, floors, as well as burial sites from the 11^th and 12th centuries with valuable grave goods.

The special role of Tyniec Abbey in the consciousness of Poles is brought to light by the period of partitions, during which the monastery was dissolved. Despite this dissolution, it remained in the collective memory, as evidenced, among others, by Henryk Sienkiewicz’s novel ‘The Teutonic Knights’ (the plot of the book begins in Tyniec, with a rich description of the monastery and the legends associated with it) and Saturnin Świerzyński’s painting ‘View of Tyniec’ from 1867, housed in the National Museum in Krakow. It depicts the view of the place during this period, a sight familiar to Poles and close to their hearts, whose recollection raised their spirits during the partitions. Tyniec and its ruins also inspired other writers and artists such as Stefan Żeromski and Teodor Parnicki.

During the reconstruction of the monastery in the post-war period, a set of twin Romanesque capitals dating from around 1100 was discovered. One of them shows a beautiful relief palmette motif, which was reproduced on the current ten złoty banknote. And thus, the centuries-old Tyniec capital has become an everyday companion of almost every Pole.

More information can be found in the brochure.

The next issue is scheduled for 28 May 2024. On that date Narodowy Bank Polski will be putting into circulation silver collector coins of the series “In Poland I Believe” – “A Free and Sovereign Poland”, with a face value of 10 złoty.

Contact:

Contact for collectors: e-mail kolekcjoner@nbp.pl, tel. +48 22 185 17 05

Contact for the media: e-mail press@nbp.pl, tel. +48 22 185 20 12

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About NBP

Narodowy Bank Polski holds the exclusive right to issue banknotes and coins in Poland. All currency issued by NBP – including collector banknotes and coins – is legal tender in Poland. Issuing collector items is an occasion to commemorate important historic figures and anniversaries, as well as to develop the interest of the public in Polish culture, science and tradition.

High-resolution images of the coins: https://nbp.pl/en/coins-and-banknotes/collector-coins/catalogue/