On March 7th, 1330, Polish King Władysław Łokietek bestowed Tarnów city-founder Spycimir Leliwita with a document - an original copy of which survives to this day in Kraków's Czartoryski Museum - granting his new city the right to self-govern under Magdeburg Law, in recognition of services rendered to the crown. 678 years later, the citizens were still so grateful that they erected this impressive 3.5m bronze statue of the king to commemorate his gracious act. Towering over a large square in front of a preserved segment of Tarnów's original defensive walls off ul. Wałowa, in real-life sculptor Czesław Dźwigaj's subject was much smaller, hence his affectionate nickname of 'Władysław the Elbow-high.' Locals believe that if you rub the king's shoe your wishes will come true...but only if you use your right hand, of course.
