legend
Kinga was a daughter of Hungarian King Bela IV and the niece of St. Elizabeth of Hungary. At sixteen, she married King Boleslaus V (Boleslaus the Shy) of Poland. According to a legend, she brought salt with her to Poland as her dowry. When Polish king sent his envoys to bring princess Kinga to Poland, her father wanted to give her a generous gift of gold and silver. Kinga asked him to take salt instead, since Poland had plenty of gold and silver, but did not have much salt which was used for curing meat and preserving other food. The king let his daughter take as much Hungarian salt as she wanted, but Kinga had a premonition and she dropped her engagement ring into the salt mine before leaving her native Hungary. After Kinga's wedding in Krakow she ordered to dig a well in nearby Wieliczka. Soon, the workers discovered a large stone which was pure crystal salt. In addition, her engagement ring was found inside it. Large deposits of salt were found in the area and soon the salt mine started production. Kinga became a patron of miners, especially salt miners. Queen Kinga (or Kunegunda) was cannonized in 1999 by John Paul II and Kinga feast day is celebrated on July 24. From sightandsoul.com
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- January 15, 2006
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- January 15, 2006
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- SdaemonH