Emilia Wojtyla's Handbag
A very elegant silver handbag, made with jewelry precision. Three rows of beads ending in tassels were woven into a chain stitch. Finished at the top with a clip to close it and a metal handle, so it could be carried in the hand.
An unusual find
Why did the bishop actually need the purse? The sisters working in the curia at Franciszkańska 3 wondered. Among the things left behind by the Cracow cardinal was also it. How it ended up in Bishop Wojtyla's belongings can be guessed thanks to an old photograph, taken around 1917-1918. In it we see the teenage Edmund and Emilia Wojtylowa, who visited him while he was studying at Enns. In addition to the Pope's mother's beautiful outfit, it is the handbag that draws attention.
A rare souvenir
What was its fate after Mrs. Wojtyla's death? It was used by Stefania Wojtyla, the half-sister of Karol Wojtyla senior. From her it ended up in the hands of Karol's nephew, as a memento of his mother. It had lain in the Krakow curia for years, among other things left by John Paul II after his move to Rome. Found after his death, it is one of the few mementos of Emilia Wojtyla.
After more than a century, doesn't it still impress with its beauty?
After more than a century, doesn't it still impress with its beauty?