O III Zlocie Sokolstwa Polskiego w Krakowie w 1896 roku

In 1892, the Association of Polish Gymnastic Societies “Sokół” in the Austro-Hungarian Empire was established. The aims of this organization include: consolidating the activities of the “Sokół” nests established within the territory of the Galician partition, spreading gymnastics in Polish society, uniform training of teaching staff and organizing public gatherings presenting the idea of “Sokół” to the masses. The first two general union rallies were held in Lviv, the next one took place in 1896 in Cracow. The main goal and motivation for writing this article was to provide a description and evaluation of the Third Rally of Polish Gymnastic Society “Sokół,” not yet elaborated on in the literature. The two-day event was a great organizational challenge, the first wooden stadium in the history of the city was built in Błonia park for the needs of gymnastics shows. In addition to public exercises, there was a ceremonial opening and consecration of the enlarged Cracow’s “Sokół” building and a solemn tribute to the city of Cracow.