The Legend of the Oaks of Rogalin

The Legend of the Oaks of Rogalin

Once upon a time, three brothers-princes Lech, Czech and Rus went on a hunt to the forest over the Warta River. The hunting was going smoothly, when suddenly a large herd of elks hurried out of the backwoods, led by an exceptionally beautiful stag.

The riders set off in pursuit of the animal. Suddenly they got into a forest clearing, in the middle of which an impressive oak tree grew, together with a few young trees. The stag, surrounded on all sides, bent his neck and prepared to mortal combat. Suddenly Lech stopped the hunters crying:-    Stop! Do not kill! It is a holy grove!

The moose felt that the danger had passed and slowly walked away into the woods.

Meanwhile, an old man with grey hair wearing a white robe came into the clearing - it was the priest of Svetovid, the guardian of the holy grove, who invited the unexpected guests to delicious mead. To commemorate this event, Lech ordered to build in this place a temple in which the old man could duly fulfil his priestly ministry.

In this place a settlement called Rogalin was also established (from the Polish word "rogi" meaning "antlers") - to commemorate the meeting with the remarkable stag. The years passed....

The messengers arrived to Rogalin to Duke Mieszko with an order to destroy the statue of Svetovid; they were commanded to spread the new faith. An oak cross was put on the old temple as a symbol of the new faith.

Three mighty oaks growing around the temple were left uncut only because they bore the names of the legendary rulers of the Slavs - Lech, Czech and Rus. The legend has it that they are the same oaks that have grown in the park in Rogalin until today.

PRESENTATION PREPARED BY THE 5TH GRADE STUDENTS.IT CONSISTS OF THEIR OWN DRAWINGS, PICTURES FORM THE INTERNET AND THE TEXT OF THE LEGEND FOUND ON

THE WEBPAGE OF THE ROGALIN MUSEUM.