History
The story of Witelon: Witelon is the first Polish scientist. He was born in Legnica around the year 1230. He was the son of a Polish woman from a knightly family and a colonist from Thuringia. Physicist, mathematician and philosopher. Recognized as the founder of optics and the psychology of perception. After 1268, he wrote Vitellionis Mathematicii Doctissimi Peri Optikīs id est de natura, ratione et proiectione radiorum visus, luminum, colorum atque formarum quam vulgo Perspectivam vocant Libri X.
Ten Books of Witelon – Mathematician, Great Scientist of Optics, about the nature, cause and sight radius, light, colors and shapes, commonly called Perspective.
Witelon had very progressive views on the anatomy of the eye and the physiology of vision. He is considered as the creator of the foundations of psychological, psychiatric and psychopathological knowledge. Apart from the physical issues of optics, in which he followed the views of the Arab scientist Alhazen and Robert Grosseteste from Oxford, he also considered, for example, rectilinear propagation of light, its reflection, scattering, refraction, light meteorological phenomena, and also analyzed the psychological aspect of perception. In his work on optics, as well as in his earlier treatise Tractatus de primaria causa poenitentiae et de natura daemonum (“Treatise on the main cause of repentance and on the nature of demons”) from 1268, he indicated, among other things, that visual illusions are the result of observation conditions and ideas as well as the way of thinking. He wrote that “the eye receives no information other than light, color and angular size,” and only then the mind “processes impressions with the help of visions taken from experience.”
He saw the causes of visual illusions both in the observation conditions, e.g. poor lighting, and in the previous experiences of an observer. Although Witelon did not deny the existence of demons and even described their nature and behavior in detail, he clearly indicated that the material image of demons may be an illusion that has its own cultural conditions.
Witelon’s other achievements include popularization of the works of ancient scientists and construction of instruments for drawing curves. The date of his death is not confirmed, scientists say that Witelon died between 1280 and 1314.
In the year 1935, the International Astronomical Union named one of the craters on the Moon after Witelon – Vitello.
2018/2019
Why Witelon Center? The idea for a modern place supporting education in the heart of city park in Legnica appeared when the city of Legnica decided to revitalize the former Riflemen’s House – Summer Theater. The patron – Witelon – was the obvious choice.
The first Polish scientist – Witelon, whose thoughts and works were referred by Nicolaus Copernicus and Leonardo DaVinci. Born in Legnica around 1230, creator of the first “Treatise on Optics” in the history of science. The Witelon Center will be the most modern institution in the Copper Region, connecting science, education, fun and elements of culture. Cleaning and conceptual works began in 2018.
The Center will be the first and the only place in the world presenting the use of the achievements of Witelon – the Polish physicist, mathematician, philosopher and creator of optics and the psychology of perception – in easily accessible way.
2020
The reconstruction of the building of the former Summer Theater in Legnica for the purposes of adapting the facility into the “Witelon Center for Culture, Science and Education” begins conceptually and in the terms of design. The first ideas about exhibitions and the functions of individual rooms appear. The space around the building, the size of terraces, access roads and parking spaces are planned. The first construction project appears and it is discussed with Conservator of Monuments. The Witelon Center will be located in the restored historic building of the Summer Theater, which is located in the heart of the historic city park in Legnica. The facility will include exhibition, educational and conference spaces, as well as a catering and chill out zone. Heavy construction works are starting and further projects are being developed. They will allow to assign functions to individual rooms in the future. And Witelon is watching.
The usable area of the entire facility is 3,000 square meters.
The exhibition area with terraces will be over 2,200 square meters.
2021
A functional and utility program is being created for the entire Center. We already know that the interactive main exhibition dedicated to Witelon will be called EYE. Future perspective. There will be several dozen of displays that will introduce us to Witelon’s achievements through their attractive appearance, fun and surprising solutions. Optics, physics, image detection, the use of light, elements of mathematics and cognitive psychology will become easier and will allow us to acquire knowledge in an easy and pleasant way. Construction works continue, we discover beautiful original ceilings, as well as huge mysterious basements and attics. There are surprises and the pandemic period complicates many issues, but Witelon watches over us and we manage to carry out most of the planned works. We have completed the first stage
The cost of revitalizing the historic Summer Theater building and adapting it to the function of science popularization center equals 32 million PLN.
2022
We already have a full original functional and utility program for the Witelon Center. We know how the space of the interactive main exhibition – EYE. Future perspective – will be divided. Exhibitors have been selected and these are the places where we will learn the secrets of Witelon’s teachings. There are educational and experimental rooms, a conference room, an intelligent playground for children, a shop with a small bistro bar and a large bistro bar with an orangery. We begin works on covering both terraces and two ramps for disabled people. At the same time, the interior design works are being completed according to the author’s design, regarding the equipment of the rooms being rebuilt for the educational, conference and basement areas as well as the common and restaurant areas. A full visual identification system is being designed, so that we know the Witelon Center logo, the font and how we want to present our institution in Poland. The electricity and internet networks are being distributed throughout the facility. Plastering works and samples of covering the walls with appropriate paints, consistent with the original colors, are in progress. Conservation works restoring the last ceiling in the main foyer to its original condition are being completed.
The cost of the exhibition and equipment is almost 7 million PLN.
2023
We are completing the adaptation of the basements, which will be professionally prepared as exhibition and workshop space. Interior painting is completed. The final stage of installing floors throughout the facility begins. Electrical and internet networks as well as ventilation, air conditioning and heating systems have been checked and completed. We are preparing for construction acceptance and starting cooperation with designers and constructors of exhibition and equipment. All interior design works are carried out using design programs and evaluated. We already know the number and dimensions of all elements, colors, availability and their location in the Center space. Educational elements are consulted with the core curriculum for primary and secondary schools so that some lessons in physics, mathematics, chemistry and nature can be carried out using professional teaching tools. An educational project specially dedicated to the Center will be the first program element of the Center, which is ultimately intended to increase the quality of jobs and the level of employment in the Copper Region. It will be addressed to secondary school students who should improve their competences before entering the labor market. Its aim is to show the use of modern technologies in the region and the potential of the future, to encourage people to return after studies and pursue their professional careers in the Copper Region. The Witelon Center will organize scientific and business conferences, premieres and shows of new products from the world of science and business. The opening of our Witelon Center is planned for autumn 2024.
Up to 50,000 people can visit the Witelon Center annually – students and individual guests.
The Witelon Center is the most modern institution in the Copper Region, combining science, education and elements of culture. The center will be the only place in Poland showing the use of the achievements of the first Polish scientist – Witelon, whose thoughts and works were referred to by Nicolaus Copernicus and Leonardo DaVinci.
The main attraction of the institution are exhibitions and interactive objects referring to Witelon’s teachings, giving an image of the greatness and use of the discoveries of the first Polish scientist under the common idea of ”EYE. Future Perspective. We present his achievements in the field of the use of light, optics, image detection, mathematics and physics in a modern version. At the Witelon Center, we carry out programs, actions, workshops and events in the field of: education and popularization of science, recreation and culture with the participation of and for the benefit of the local community of the Copper Belt, as well as events in Lower Silesia, and in the future nationwide. Out of concern for the quality of life of its inhabitants, Legnica undertakes activities to develop education based on new technologies, aimed at implementing projects for the inhabitants of Legnica and the entire region in the field of: popularization of new technologies, development of science and education, improvement of qualifications of students and people working in the Copper Belt and activities in the field of volunteering. The development of entrepreneurship, modern education and improving the quality of life of Legnica’s inhabitants as well as increasing awareness of investing for future generations of the copper region is an extremely important issue for the city. The Witelon Center combines science with the humanities. When creating and implementing the Program, the Parties emphasize increased care and concern for the quality of life of the local community.
The exclusive scientific patron of the Witelon Center is the Wrocław University of Science and Technology. This excellent technical university will support the Center in the field of exhibitions, scientific activities and the provision of academic facilities. It will act as a scientific council that will set common goals for the qualitative development of Lower Silesia.
