Page "Zamojski Academy" Paragraph 3

The Zamojski Academy was designed to educate szlachta ( noble ) youth in Humanist culture and prepare them for work in the public interest — though, from its early years, most of the students were burghers, not nobles.

It was founded in 1594 by Crown Chancellor Jan Zamoyski in Zamość ( a city, also founded by Zamoyski ) with the assistance of poet Szymon Szymonowic, aka Simon Simonides ( who would be one of the Academy's lecturers ).

Its founding was approved in Rome by Pope Clement VIII ( bull of October 29, 1594 ), and in Poland by the Bishop of Chełm, Stanisław Gomoliński.

The official opening ceremony took place on 15 March 1595.

On July 5, 1600, Zamoyski would write, in the Academy's foundation act: " such are countries, as is the education of their youth " (" takie są rzeczypospolite, jakie ich młodzieży chowanie ").

In 1601 the King of Poland, Sigismund III Vasa, confirmed the act.