EN
The tradition of importing oriental horses from the Middle East to Poland dates back to the beginnings of the modern period. The mission undertaken in 1583 by Jakub Podlodowski (1548–1583), King Stephen Bathory’s sub-equerry, is the first widely known project of this type. This paper aims to put in order the existing knowledge on the Podlodowski’s trip of 1583, as well as on his previous trip to Turkey in 1577. Such project seems necessary in view of inconsistencies found in the literature on the subject. The two expeditions to the East deserve much more attention than they have received so far, since the purchase of horses seems to be just an excuse for behind-the-scenes diplomatic talks and intelligence activities forming part of the preparations for the already developed war plans against Turkey.