Ulryk Hozjusz

Who was Ulryk Hozjusz?

Ulryk Hozjusz was a Polish noble of German descent. Born in Pforzheim, he lived most of his life in Poland, at the court of the Polish kings and Grand Dukes of Lithuania. In early 16th century he was made a high-ranking official at the Kraków mint. Soon after he was transferred to Vilnius to head the newly opened Lithuanian Mint there. With time he also rose to the rank of mayor of Vilnius. He is remembered as the founder of the Green Bridge, one of the first permanent bridges across the Neris River and the first recorded owner of the village of Bezdonys. His son, Stanislaus Hosius, rose to the ranks of a Catholic bishop, cardinal and a Papal legate.