Many places in Lesser Poland are commemorative of the heroic battles for independence, of glorious moments and downfalls. Some of them were marked by plaques, some were honoured by monuments. The plaque built in the slab of the Cracow market square reminds the visitors of the oath given there by Tadeusz Kościuszko on 24th march 1794. After the morning consecration of sables in the Capuchin church, he went to the Main Square to swear an oath to serve the nation and to announce the uprising. This was the beginning of the insurrection which proved to be a failed attempt, but remained in our memory and became a national legend. The struggle was joined by peasants who fought with everything they had at hand, including the famous scythes mounted upright. The battle of Racławice of 4th April turned to be a success. The insurrection army commanded by Kościuszko – numbering approximately 4,000 soldiers of the regular army and about 2,000 new recruits – fought with the Russians on the east of Miechów and won the battle. During the battle of Maciejowice Kościuszko was taken captive. The failure of the uprising began the 3rd partition of Poland. We regained independence only after 123 years.
Monuments on the trail
Trail of the Kościuszko Uprising
Turist Routes
Attractions of Malopolska
All of the places associated with the Kościuszko Uprising are worth visiting. The tourist trail goes along the following sites: Cracow Mound – Cracow Church of the Holy Saviour – Cracow Wawel Castle – Cracow Capuchin Church – Cracow Main Square – Cracow Prądnik Biały – Cracow Pleszów – Luborzyca – Koniusza – Proszowice – Rzędowice – Janowiczki - Racławice - Dziemięrzyce – Bosutów.