Justus Ludwik Decjusz
Encyclopedia
Justus Ludwik Decjusz (1485–1545), also known as a Jost Ludwig Dietz, was a notable Polish
burgher
and diplomat of German
origin in sixteenth century Kraków
. He served as a finance minister
and secretary to the Polish king Zygmunt Stary (Zygmunt the Elder).
Originally from Alsace
, Decjusz's career peaked with his appointment as the king's personal adviser and overseer of the royal mint. He was also the author of a widely circulated text "De vetustatibus Polonorum" , an early version of the Sarmatian
myth about the origin of the Polish kings. He also wrote "Księga o czasach króla Zygmunta" (A chronicle of the times of Zygmunt), based on personal observation and experience, which has served as a widely used primary source on 16th century Poland.
In 1528 Decjusz bought the villages Przegorzały
and Wola Chełmska near Kraków (currently both are part of a suburb of the city Wola Justowska
, named after him) and built a villa, designed by Italian architects. The work, finished in 1535, took seven years to complete. It became a meeting place for local residents of diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds to discuss issues of the day, politics and religious matters. The practice is continued today by the Stowarzyszenie Willa Decjusza (Organization Decjusz's Villa), which is located in the building.
Poles
thumb|right|180px|The state flag of [[Poland]] as used by Polish government and diplomatic authoritiesThe Polish people, or Poles , are a nation indigenous to Poland. They are united by the Polish language, which belongs to the historical Lechitic subgroup of West Slavic languages of Central Europe...
burgher
Burgher
Burgher may refer to:* A citizen of a borough or town, especially one belonging to middle class* A resident of a burgh* A formally defined class in medieval German cities, usually the only group from which city officials could be drawn...
and diplomat of German
Germans
The Germans are a Germanic ethnic group native to Central Europe. The English term Germans has referred to the German-speaking population of the Holy Roman Empire since the Late Middle Ages....
origin in sixteenth century Kraków
Kraków
Kraków also Krakow, or Cracow , is the second largest and one of the oldest cities in Poland. Situated on the Vistula River in the Lesser Poland region, the city dates back to the 7th century. Kraków has traditionally been one of the leading centres of Polish academic, cultural, and artistic life...
. He served as a finance minister
Finance minister
The finance minister is a cabinet position in a government.A minister of finance has many different jobs in a government. He or she helps form the government budget, stimulate the economy, and control finances...
and secretary to the Polish king Zygmunt Stary (Zygmunt the Elder).
Originally from Alsace
Alsace
Alsace is the fifth-smallest of the 27 regions of France in land area , and the smallest in metropolitan France. It is also the seventh-most densely populated region in France and third most densely populated region in metropolitan France, with ca. 220 inhabitants per km²...
, Decjusz's career peaked with his appointment as the king's personal adviser and overseer of the royal mint. He was also the author of a widely circulated text "De vetustatibus Polonorum" , an early version of the Sarmatian
Sarmatism
"Sarmatism" is a term designating the dominant lifestyle, culture and ideology of the szlachta of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth from the 16th to the 19th centuries. Together with "Golden Liberty," it formed a central aspect of the Commonwealth's culture...
myth about the origin of the Polish kings. He also wrote "Księga o czasach króla Zygmunta" (A chronicle of the times of Zygmunt), based on personal observation and experience, which has served as a widely used primary source on 16th century Poland.
In 1528 Decjusz bought the villages Przegorzały
Przegorzały
Przegorzały – a district in Kraków , located west of the city centre. Originally a separate village, it was first mentioned in 1162 as the property of the Norbertine Sisters. Przegorzały was incorporated into the city of Kraków by the Nazi occupiers in 1941...
and Wola Chełmska near Kraków (currently both are part of a suburb of the city Wola Justowska
Wola Justowska
Wola Justowska is an area belonging to Zwierzyniec District Nº. VII of Kraków, Poland. It was previously a village known as Wola Chełmska until the 16th century. It became part of metropolitan Kraków in 1941....
, named after him) and built a villa, designed by Italian architects. The work, finished in 1535, took seven years to complete. It became a meeting place for local residents of diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds to discuss issues of the day, politics and religious matters. The practice is continued today by the Stowarzyszenie Willa Decjusza (Organization Decjusz's Villa), which is located in the building.