The Italian studies of Copernicus as a reflection of a Renaissance educational model in Poland

Abstract

The two stays in Italy occupy an important place in the education of Nicolaus Copernicus as they provided him with a profound and versatile preparation, typical of Italian Renaissance. This educational pattern, which comprised studies at the most prestigious universities such as Bologna or Padua, was followed by thousands of Polish students in the XVIth century, among whom we find Jan Kochanowski or Jan Zamoyski. These educational voyages were one of the factors that helped spread the Renaissance culture in Poland and contributed to its flourising during the so-called “Golden Age”.