Deep within Poland's warmth toward Türkiye lies a friendship story that transcends the pages of history books. The most frequently told scene of this tale unfolds in the Ottoman palace: as ambassadors line up ceremonially before the sultan, the protocol officer points to an empty seat and says, "The ambassador of Lehistan (Poland) has not yet arrived." According to the narrative, this simple statement symbolized the silent yet stubborn refusal to accept the erasure of an entire nation from the map. But how much truth lies in this tale, and how concrete is this friendship? Let us examine the fact beneath the legend.
How Was Poland Erased from the Map?
To understand the story, one must first understand the tragedy. In the late 18th century, the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth (the Polish-Lithuanian State), once one of Europe's largest empires, was dismembered piece by piece by three powerful neighbors. The process that entered history as "the Partitions of Poland" occurred in three stages:
- 1772 – First Partition: Russia, Prussia, and Austria divided approximately one-third of Poland's territory and nearly half of its population among themselves.
- 1793 – Second Partition: Prussia and Russia seized new lands; the country shrank further.
- 1795 – Third Partition: Following the uprising led by Tadeusz Kościuszko, Russia, Prussia, and Austria divided the remaining territories. Thus, the independent Polish state was completely eliminated.
After 1795, Poland was erased from the world map for a full 123 years. A nation existed, but its state did not. It was precisely at this point that the Ottoman Empire's stance earned a lasting place in the memory of the Polish people.
The Ottoman Refusal: The Unrecognized Partition
While the great capitals of Europe formally recognized Poland's obliteration one by one, the Ottoman Empire took a different stance. According to the general consensus of historians, the Ottoman Empire was among the few states that did not formally recognize the Partitions of Poland; Qajar Iran adopted a similar position. For the Ottoman state, Lehistan was a nation with which it had centuries of neighborly relations and occasional alliances, and accepting its erasure would also mean shifting the balance of power at its northern frontier. This refusal was both a strategic choice and, in the eyes of the Poles, a dignified gesture of friendship.
"The Polish Ambassador Has Not Yet Arrived": Fact or Legend?
Now comes the most romantic and widely circulated part. According to the tale, when foreign ambassadors were presented before the sultan, the protocol officer would point to the Polish ambassador's empty seat and ask, "Where is the Polish ambassador?" The assistant would reply each time, "Sir, the Polish ambassador could not come due to important obstacles." Thus, Poland's existence was symbolically kept alive at every ceremony.
This story is extraordinarily moving; but honesty demands we acknowledge this. Many historians consider this narrative largely legendary. Because:
- No concrete Ottoman record of such a palace custom exists from that era.
- The oldest known written traces of this story date back to the 1930s and 1940s.
- The narrative is largely attributed to Michał Sokolnicki, who was Poland's ambassador to Türkiye at that time; he himself was fond of sharing this story at diplomatic gatherings.
So the statement "The Polish ambassador has not yet arrived" is most likely a tradition born from the Ottoman Empire's refusal to recognize the Partitions, and later shaped into something beautiful. It is not a historical fact based on a document, but rather a symbolic narrative that should be read as a poetic reflection of the friendship between two peoples. This does not diminish the story's value; it simply places it on the correct shelf. The friendship itself is real; this narrative is its poetic echo.
The Address of Concrete Friendship: Polonezköy (Adampol)
If you wish to set aside legend and look at tangible proof, a Polish village awaits you in the heart of Istanbul. Polonezköy, as the Poles call it Adampol, is located in the Beykoz district of Istanbul, in a forested area on the Anatolian side.
The founding of the village was no accident. After the failed November Uprising of 1830-1831, many Poles went into exile. The leader of these exiles, Prince Adam Jerzy Czartoryski, supported and financed the idea of creating a homeland for Poles on Ottoman soil. Michał Czajkowski, acting in the Prince's name, rented vast lands from local clergy in 1842; these lands were later purchased, and the village established was named Adampol (Adam's city) after the Prince. The village was settled by veterans of the November Uprising, exiles, and Poles freed from captivity.
So the Ottoman Empire did not merely offer a diplomatic gesture; it also opened lands to the children of a landless people. Even today, a Polish-descended community with its own church and cemetery continues to live in the village.
A Note for Travelers: What Can Be Seen in Polonezköy?
Polonezköy is located approximately 30 km from the center of Istanbul and is a favorite weekend escape. For those wishing to spend a day surrounded by nature and history, here are some suggestions:
- Zofia Ryży Memorial House: One of the village's oldest buildings, this approximately 150-year-old wooden house has been transformed into a space that introduces the history and culture of the village.
- Church and cemetery: Silent witnesses of Catholic Polish culture in the heart of Istanbul.
- Cherry Festival: Held annually in June-July, attracting visitors from both Türkiye and Poland; a traditional celebration enhanced by folk music and dances.
- Nature and cuisine: Bicycle tours, picnic areas, forest walks, and restaurants blending Polish-Turkish cuisine.
For travelers seeking to escape the city's noise for a few hours, Polonezköy is an ideal route to breathe in both nature and the shared memory of two peoples at once.
Conclusion: Friendship Is Real, Legend Is Dressed Up
At the heart of Poland's sympathy for Türkiye lies the Ottoman Empire's support for Poland during its darkest hour. The formal non-recognition of the Partitions is a historical fact; Polonezköy is tangible proof of this friendship that you can still touch today. The narrative "The Polish ambassador has not yet arrived" is most likely a legendary tradition; yet it remains one of the most beautiful symbols of how one nation sustained the dignity of another people. Sometimes, a legend tells more truth than the fact itself.
