Bardejowski Cat

The bronze statue of the executioner in the market square recalls the times when the royal city of Bardejov enjoyed numerous rights and privileges, including the right to carry out the death penalty, the so-called right of the throat.

The statue was made by Martin and Viktor Kutny in their family business dealing with the restoration of monuments and sculpture. The company also financed its implementation to a large extent. The unveiling took place on June 4, 2016. The sculpture is located in the part of the square where, according to tradition, lived the Bardejov cat. Is it really? Some sources say that the executioner, although he was an extremely important citizen for the city, and his work brought huge revenues to the municipal treasury, usually lived in the suburbs, away from people.

In the mid-fourteenth century, Bardejov obtained the right of the sword, i.e. the privilege of executing, from the Hungarian king Louis I the Great. The town of Bardejov was famous in the Middle Ages for its strict justice   . This is evidenced by the Court Book kept in the municipal archives. There is a mention of being burned for the theft of honey and the destruction of a hive or crucifixion for the theft of the mayor's house. Back in those days, the Sarov spread the saying, " God save us from Bardejov's justice!"