In 1880, amidst a major wave of regeneration and patriotism in Cracow (recently granted greater autonomy by the Habsburgs) a crypt was opened beneath the legendary Church on the Rock. The idea was that it should be a pantheon for outstanding Poles in the arts and sciences (military and political heroes tended to end up at Wawel). There's not much room here these days - you need iconic status to be in with a chance, but amongst the biggest of the thirteen names thus far are Stanislaw Wyspianski (d.1907), Karol Szymanowski (d.1937) and Czeslaw Milosz (d.2004) - you really are in good company. At a squeeze, there might just be room for a couple more.
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