14 Facts About Anna Jagiellon

Anna Jagiellon was Queen of Poland and Grand Duchess of Lithuania from 1575 to 1587.

Anna Jagiellon's parents were the King Sigismund I the Old and Queen Bona Sforza.

Anna Jagiellon spent most of her childhood in Krakow with her sisters Sophia and Catherine.

Anna Jagiellon was well-versed in architecture and finances, as well as fluent in Italian and Latin.

Anna Jagiellon spent her time playing games, embroidering, praying, and corresponding with her sisters.

Anna Jagiellon's brother visited her annually when he attended sessions of the general sejm in Warsaw.

Anna Jagiellon's death changed Anna's status from a neglected spinster to the heiress of the Jagiellon dynasty.

Anna Jagiellon wanted to marry and become Queen of Poland, but deceived by the French, she was a lot more careful and did not voice her support publicly.

Anna Jagiellon was skeptical of marriage proposals by Archduke Ernest of Austria, Alfonso II d'Este, Duke of Ferrara, and Frederick IV of Liegnitz.

Anna Jagiellon was supposed to share that interest with her sister Catherine, but apparently never did.

Anna Jagiellon built the city wall Stara Prochownia, known as the Bridge Gate, to protect the wooden bridge from fire; the tomb monument of her brother in the Sigismund's Chapel from to 1574 to 1575 and 1584 with the help of architect Santi Gucci; and the tomb of her mother in the Basilica di San Nicola in Bari from 1589 to 1595.

Anna Jagiellon supported her husband with money for weapons, but was visibly upset because she sought a closer personal relationship and greater political influence.

Anna Jagiellon refused to allow her husband's burial in the Sigismund's Chapel; perhaps it was her retribution for the distant marriage as traditions dictated that husband and wife should not be separated in death.

Anna Jagiellon became attached to her nephew, participating in his wedding with Anne of Austria and the baptism of their firstborn, Anna Maria.