Słup Koniński, Konin
Facts and practical information
Konin road post - a stone post in Konin, Romanesque, set in 1151 halfway between Kruszwica and Kalisz, believed to be the oldest road sign in Poland.
The post is located about 52 km from each town. It was moved from under the Konin castle to the corner of St. Bartholomew's church. The post is carved from sandstone and is about 2.5 meters high.
The post bears a Latin inscription, engraved all around in square capital with three distichs: +ANNO AB INCARNAT DAYS NRI M.C.L. PRIMO +IN CALIS HIC MEDIV DE CRVSPVICI FOERE PVNCTV INDICAT ISTA VIE FORMVLAE IVSTITIE +QUA FIERI PETR IVSSIT COMES HIC PALATIN HOC Q SOLLERT DIMIDIAVIT IT +EIUS VT ESSE MEMOR DIGNETUR QISQV VIATOR CVM PRECE PPIC SOLLICITANDO DEV
In the translation of Krzysztof Dunin-Wąsowicz inscription reads: The year of the Incarnation of Our Lord 1151 to Kalisz from Kruszwica here leads the point, shows the formula for the road and justice, which ordered the Comes Palatine Peter carefully cut through the road to be remembered, please, each traveler prayerfully ask the gracious God.
The origin of the pole is not explained. The figure of the palatine mentioned in the formula is unknown. Some identify him with Piotr Włostowic - the founder of 77 churches. According to two other hypotheses, the founder was to be Piotr Wszeborowic, palatine of Bolesław Kędzierzawy, or his father Comes Wszebor, palatine of Bolesław Krzywousty.
The post may be evidence of the existence of road jurisdiction in 12th century Poland exercised by the komes on behalf of the prince or himself.
Konin
Greater Poland