The Legend of Mr Twardowski Portrayed in Dance
Explore one of the Krakow legends, watching a dance in the Kraków Barbican
ReadKraków painted with the dance” is cycle of productions by the Cracovia Danza Court Ballet created by Romana Agnel and presented during the Court Dance Festival. The dance performances are inspired by the most important elements of Kraków heritage and works of art, and they transport us to the most beautiful and cherished locations in our city.
Kraków Painted with dances, Mr. Twardowski. Shenanigans in the Barbican (2020)Cracovia Danza Ballet
The Kraków Barbican. Impressive and mysterious. Witness of many centuries of Kraków’s history. The best place to portray the legend of Mr Twardowski in dance. What is the history of the Barbican? What is the Barbican for the city of Kraków?
Kraków Painted with dances, Mr. Twardowski. Shenanigans in the Barbican (2020)Cracovia Danza Ballet
Kraków’s protection was always the weakest from this side which was its soft underbelly. This is why King John Albert decided to adopt the Italian fashion, method or concept of building a defensive bastion, which was unbelievably modern for its time.
Kraków Painted with dances, Mr. Twardowski. Shenanigans in the Barbican (2020)Cracovia Danza Ballet
The name itself is of Italian origin: “barba” means “a beard”, and the structure, like a beard, is attached to the perimeter of defensive walls. Although, contrary to popular opinion, Poles just used the word “rondel” because it looks like a “rondel” – a pot.
Kraków Painted with dances, Mr. Twardowski. Shenanigans in the Barbican (2020)Cracovia Danza Ballet
Reinforced with seven turrets, loopholes, battlements, machicolations, and hoardings, it was equipped with everything that would make the besiegers’ lives harder.
Kraków Painted with dances, Mr. Twardowski. Shenanigans in the Barbican (2020)Cracovia Danza Ballet
The Barbican was the Gate of Glory, the Porta Gloria, and monarchs, as well as the most important envoys, arriving in Kraków entered here, from the Barbican side, to witness the power of the city.
Kraków Painted with dances, Mr. Twardowski. Shenanigans in the Barbican (2020)Cracovia Danza Ballet
They were welcomed here, obviously not by the king; here, they were welcomed by the burghers, they passed through St Florian’s Gate and proceeded to Wawel.
Kraków Painted with dances, Mr. Twardowski. Shenanigans in the Barbican (2020)Cracovia Danza Ballet
W XVIII wieku Barbakan podupadł królów już w Krakowie nie było, czy też jeżeli byli to na krótko, przypadkowo. Kraków był do końca miastem koronacyjnym, miastem sejmowym ale już nie był siedzibą królewską.
Kraków Painted with dances, Mr. Twardowski. Shenanigans in the Barbican (2020)Cracovia Danza Ballet
Barbakan podupadł tak jak całe mury obronne i na początku XIX wieku zapadła decyzja o tym ażeby mury obronne całkowicie zburzyć. Barbakan stał się wraz z Bramą Floriańską i trzema basztami: cieśli, stolarzy i pasamoników, czyli tzw. mury floriańskie, stał się miejscem pierwszej skutecznej batalii konserwatorskiej.
Kraków Painted with dances, Mr. Twardowski. Shenanigans in the Barbican (2020)Cracovia Danza Ballet
The Cracovia Danza Ballet, founded by Romana Agnel, is the only professional Court Ballet in Poland, which specializes in Baroque and Old Polish dances.
Kraków Painted with dances, Mr. Twardowski. Shenanigans in the Barbican (2020)Cracovia Danza Ballet
The repertoire, based on dance masters' treatises as well as on old iconographical sources, consists of dance performances spanning the periods from the Middle Ages to modern times. The Ballet participates in many prestigious events in Poland and abroad.
Kraków Painted with dances, Mr. Twardowski. Shenanigans in the Barbican (2020)Cracovia Danza Ballet
Cracovia Danza has visited around 30 countries e.g. Morocco, France, Russia, Germany, China, Japan, Bulgaria, United States, India and Korea.
Kraków Painted with dances, Mr. Twardowski. Shenanigans in the Barbican (2020)Cracovia Danza Ballet
