For centuries the Slavic kings were a strong opposition or a painful lesson to the enemies. Some of them were able to rule their countries with unexpected results. Their fame and powerful life made them immortal in memory of their nations.
Casimir III the Great (1310 – 1370)
He reigned as the King of Poland from 1333 to 1370. He is well known as a strong ruler, whose reign changed the image of many places. It was visible especially I the case of the capital city of his times – Kraków (Crackow). He is known as a very active builder and a founder of the University of Kraków (transformed later into the University of Jagiellon). Although some historians believe that there were more important kings in the history of Poland than Casimir, the fame of this ruler stays loud. Some people call him „the Polish Justinian”, what might shed the light on his vision of Poland he wanted to create.
Peter the Great (1672 – 1725)
Famous tsar of Russia whose extraordinary lifestyle and visionary rules became one of the most famous parts of the Russian history. During his reign, Russia became a real Empire, the country that faced huge growth in many aspects. In fact, he expanded the Tsardom into a major European power that he Westernised, made more modern than ever before. His reforms caused a cultural revolution in the entire country. Many institutions of Russian government trace their origins to his reign. During his travels through Europe, he decided to build a city that would be more amazing than Italian Venice or the other impressive capitals. As a result, we can enjoy now St Petersburg.
Peter Krešimir IV (1059 – 1075)
He was a ruler of the Krešimirović branch of the Trpimirović dynasty. Peter ruled Croatia and Dalmatia from 1059 to 1075. He earned the sobriquet „the Great” due t the fact that under his rule the Croatian realm reached its peak territorially. As an early medieval king, he had to face many difficulties including the fights between the princes in the Balkans. However, he was able to save his position for many years and kept his seat at Nin and Biograd na Moru.
Charles IV (1316 – 1378)
He was born as Wenceslaus but stays known as Charles IV the Great. He was a king of Bohemia, but also a Holy Roman Emperor. As a member of the House of Luxembourg from his father’s side and the House of Přemyslid from his mother’s side, he was one of the best-born rulers of his times. His family gave him two saints as direct ancestors. To become a king he had to make many fights what made him one of the greatest diplomacy players in history. His life took a place during many wars, but step by step he was able to take more and more land. He was crowned on 26 November 1346 in Bonn. It was the first step on his way to becoming one of the most influential rulers of the medieval period. When in 1365 he was crowned as King of Burgundy, he became the personal ruler of all the kingdoms of the Holy Roman Empire.
Peter I ( 1844 – 1921)
The last king of Serbia and the first King of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes. His rules were full of military successes so he was remembered by Serbian people as King Peter the Liberator. He was the third son of Persida Nenadović and Prince Alexander Karađorđević, who was forced to abdicate. Peter lived in exile, but with time he started to fight with the French Foreign Legion in the Franco-Prussian War, and later under the alias Peter Mrkonjić in the war against the Ottoman Empire (1875-1877). His life has changed after the death of his father in 1885 when Peter became head of the Karađorđević dynasty. After the murder of King Alexander I Obrenović in 1903, Peter became King of Serbia. He was an advocate of constitutional setup for the country. Peter was famous for his libertarian politics, his vision of the world was very modern.
