Early music in old Biecz

History can be very capricious to cities, turning some into capitals and pushing others to the deep margins of events. One of the most spectacular changes of winds in the history of Poland was experienced by Biecz – at the end of the Middle Ages one of the largest cities in the country, today a quiet town at the foot of the mountains. The glory days of the “Polish Carcassone” are recalled by gloomy Gothic towers and buildings, as well as the Kromer Festival – a unique event dedicated to early music.

Biecz grew out of trade with nearby Hungary. The cellars around the now sleepy market square long ago were filled with barrels of Hungarian wine, the town regularly hosted a king, and there were three castles and a royal court.

The collapse of trade and the bloody wars of the 17th century brought decline to the city and the entire region. In 1699, Kraków alone had a population of just 10,000! Throughout Małopolska there are many inconspicuous towns with a long history – Biecz is one of the most charming of them.

Foto: Kirche in Binarowa

Kirche in Binarowa

In late July and early August, Biecz hosts the Kromer Festival, an international celebration of early music.

The festival, named after Marcin Kromer, a writer, humanist and diplomat native of Biecz, is an opportunity to meet masters of historical performance from around the world with younger music enthusiasts of the Middle Ages, Renaissance and Baroque eras. The chamber concerts take place in Biecz’s monumental Gothic parish church, the local St. Anne’s Church and the nearby church in Binarowa – a gem of wooden architecture listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The old, forgotten compositions resonating in the historic interiors of the churches have a unique power and charm. Check it for yourself!

Facebook profile of the festival