Medieval battle reenactment canceled in Poland over virus fears

Organizers have canceled this year’s reenactment of the 1410 Battle of Grunwald, one of the biggest battles of medieval Europe, citing health concerns amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The 2019 reenactment of the 1410 Battle of Grunwald in northern Poland.

Photo: PAP/Tomasz Waszczuk

The announcement marks the second time the event has been called off due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which hit Poland early last year.

In previous years, hundreds of enthusiasts from across Europe and beyond would flock to northern Poland in mid-July for the annual staging of the famous battle.

The 2017 staging of the famous battle. Photo: PAP/Tomasz Waszczuk

Three years ago, some 1,300 reenactors wearing historical costumes and around 15,000 spectators descended on the Fields of Grunwald, according to a report.

This year marks 611 years since allied Polish and Lithuanian forces crushed the Knights of the Teutonic Order in what is considered to be one of the most glorious and significant military victories in Polish history.

Fought on July 15, 1410, the Battle of Grunwald saw Polish King Władysław Jagiełło and his army of allied forces defeat the war machine of the Teutonic Knights, which had previously been regarded as invincible.

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Source: PAP