Drukarz Kacper

Story

Drukarz Kacper (Kacper the Printer) sits proudly at ul. Katedralna 1/3 on Ostrow Tumski, the oldest part of Wroclaw, right beside the Archdiocesan Publishing House. He honours Kasper Elyan, a 15th-century canon who ran the 'Swietokrzyska' printing house on Ostrow Tumski and produced the very first printed text in the Polish language — the Lord's Prayer ('Ojcze Nasz'). In the dwarf's tiny hands rests a piece of paper with those historic words, and around him stand miniature printing press equipment and stacked books. 'Though time passes, the Oder flows on, and technology changes — printing will never disappear,' says his inscription.

History & Significance

Kasper Elyan was born in Glogow and educated in Leipzig, Krakow and Erfurt, learning the art of printing in Cologne before becoming a canon on Ostrow Tumski. Around 1475 he established a printing house near the Holy Cross Church on the island, producing the first Polish-language printed text. The dwarf was installed on 15 November 2016 by sculptor Grzegorz Lagowski, and is located at the Archdiocesan Publishing House TUM, which continues the printing tradition on the very same island.

Inspiration

The Archdiocesan Publishing House TUM, which sponsors the dwarf, wanted to link its own publishing tradition to the remarkable 15th-century origins of printing in Wroclaw. Placing Drukarz Kacper outside their door is a living reminder that books printed on Ostrow Tumski date back over 550 years. The sculptor Grzegorz Lagowski captured the character beautifully: beside Kacper stands a miniature printing press and a row of books, and he holds the 'Ojcze Nasz' manuscript — the exact text that made history.

Fun Facts

• The 'Ojcze Nasz' (Lord's Prayer) that Kacper holds is considered the oldest surviving printed text in the Polish language, dating from around 1475.
• Ostrow Tumski is Wroclaw's oldest district — a former island that was once separated from the mainland by the Oder River.
• Drukarz Kacper is one of very few dwarfs that comes with a full rhyming biography poem on his plaque, making him one of the most literary dwarfs in the city.
• Sculptor Grzegorz Lagowski included a working-scale miniature printing press beside the dwarf, making this one of the most detailed dwarf installations in Wroclaw.
• The Archdiocesan Publishing House TUM at ul. Katedralna 1/3 continues to publish books today, maintaining an unbroken tradition of printing on the island.

How to Find This Dwarf

From the iconic Most Tumski (Tumski Bridge, also called the 'Lock Bridge'), walk east along ul. Katedralna. After about 50 metres you will see the Archdiocesan Publishing House TUM on your right — Drukarz Kacper is right outside the entrance at number 1/3. The cathedral towers of St John the Baptist are visible ahead as a landmark. If you are arriving by tram, take line 4 or 10 to Pl. Jana Pawla II and walk north across the bridge.

Nearby Dwarfs

Frequently Asked Questions

Accessibility

Wheelchair AccessibleGround LevelOutdoor

Located on a flat pavement at the entrance to the publishing house on ul. Katedralna. The street is cobblestone in places but the immediate area around the dwarf is smooth and accessible.