Religious Life
Book of the Krakow Merchant Congregation
Existing until today, the Krakow Merchant Congregation is one of the oldest self-governing organisations of merchants in Europe. It dates back to 1410. The modern Krakow Merchant Congregation was established in 1774 in order to oppose the attempts by the nobility and foreign competition to limit the freedom of trade. The Congregation’s aim was to defend the interest of the merchants and any merchant who possessed city rights could become a member. From 1774 the functions of the merchants’ church was performed by the Jesuit church of St Barbara.
1774, 1 December 1860, Krakow
Paper; binding: velvet over wooden boards
State Archive in Krakow, ref. no AKK 73