Otwartość kulturowa w siedemnastowiecznej Polsce, czyli o peregrynacjach młodych szlachciców

Abstract

The goal of this article is to present the cultural openness of Polish people in the 17th century based on the example of young noblemen peregrinating to European academic centres. Some cases of xenophobia also took place, but they were limited to small parts of society, because many well educated and wealthy Poles were in fact xenophiles. The inhabitants of the Republic of Poland travelled to foreign countries as tourists, to get education or to make religious atonement. In the analysed journals of academic peregrinations we can observe a great fascination with foreign countries. Foreign languages were diligently learned. All cities visited during such journeys were admired; travellers were impressed by palaces, churches, as well as exotic animals and plants. They were also very tolerant of different religions. Foreigners were never criticized, as opposed to compatriots who were accused of quarrelsomeness or even despicable conduct.