Financially supported by their uncle, Lucas Watzenrode, Nicolaus Copernicus and his elder brother Andreas enrolled at the Kraków University Faculty of Liberal Arts in the autumn of 1491.

It is not certain where exactly Copernicus resided during his stay in Kraków. Although according to university statutes students were obliged to stay in college accommodation, the future astronomer could have taken up private lodgings or stayed with his relatives.