Casimir III the Great was one of the most prominent Polish rulers. He became king of Poland in 1333 at the age of 23. His coronation took place on Wawel Castle in Krakow, then the country's capital and the ruler's seat. He reigned until his death in 1370. Despite as many as four marriages, he left no male descendants, making him the last ruler of the Piast dynasty. King Casimir the Great began his reign by rebuilding the country after numerous wars and ensuring that new villages, settlements and towns were built. Many masonry buildings were erected in the country - castles, churches, town halls, city walls - which were more durable and safer than wooden structures. Hence the origin of the famous proverb concerning the reign of King Casimir - "he found Poland wooden and left it brick". Casimir the Great supported the economic development of the country including crafts, agriculture, trade or the extraction of natural resources. The king appreciated the importance of education. He wanted the country to have many educated lawyers, doctors and officials. In 1364, thanks to him, the first Polish university, the Krakow Academy, was established. King Casimir died at the age of 60 from pneumonia, which he contracted after falling from his horse while hunting. He was the only ruler of Poland to pass into the canon of historical knowledge with the nickname "Great."