Gniezno

Gniezno is a city in Greater Poland in Poland. It is traditionally regarded as having been the first capital of Poland, and has been witness to many important events in early Polish history. Gniezno has become the seat of the second Polish diocese (after Poznań) and the first archbishopric. The coronations of several kings of Poland took place in the Gniezno cathedral.

Porta Regia: the royal gate of Gniezno's cathedral

Gniezno is situated in the northeastern part of the Greater Poland, between three lakes: Jelonek, Swietokrzyskie and Winiary, in what is called the Gniezno Lake District. It is only 50 kilometres away from Poznań and relatively close to Kujawsko-Pomorskie.

Get in

By plane

The nearest airports with scheduled passenger service are in Poznań (50 km) and Bydgoszcz (90 km).

By train

Gniezno is an important railroad junction, so there are many options to travel to and from the city by rail. The main rail line through Gniezno is Poznań-Gniezno-Inowrocław, where it is forks out to Gdańsk through Bydgoszcz and to Olsztyn through Toruń, with numerous connections:

• to Poznań up to 17 daily regional trains and 6-10 (depending on season) fast ones. The travel time to Poznań varies from 40-45 for fast trains to 55 for the local ones (stopping at every station).
• to Bydgoszcz and Gdańsk : 4 regional trains and 4-7 fast ones
• to Toruń and Olsztyn 2 local trains and 3 fast ones.

Another line runs from Gniezno to Września and Jarocin, with 4 local trains daily (including two coordinated in Jarocin with trains to Wrocław).

An interesting alternative for those traveling to Gniezno from the South-East is a journey by a local narrow-gauge railway. It runs over a 38 km route during spring and summer weekends, and on other days by special request. Details (Polish only) - .

By bus

Gniezno is a big bus travel junction, as well. Most coaches go not - as you might think - to Poznań (trains are dominating on this route), but to other places in the region (only routes to tourist places are mentioned) :

• Bydgoszcz : 7 buses daily
• Czerniejewo (a beautiful historic palace) : more than 30 daily
• Imiolki (the Dominican Fish-Gate) : 11 daily
• Konin : 14 buses daily
• Kruszwica through Strzelno : 8 daily
• Skorzecin (a lake resort) : 12 daily
• Wenecja through Biskupin : 9 buses daily
• Wągrowiec : 9 daily
• Września : 18 daily
• Żnin : 10 buses daily

By car

The main road passing through Gniezno is the country road nr 5, linking the town with Poznań and Wrocław in the south and with Bydgoszcz and Gdańsk in the north and passing through such attractions like Biskupin, Wenecja or Znin. The other roads passing through Gniezno are: country road nr 15 - enablling you to get to Kruszwica, Strzelno or Toruń; local road nr 260 - for those travelling in the Lake District nearby Powidz, 190 - to Wągrowiec and 197 to Slawa through the northern parts of Lednicki Landscape Park.

Get around

Church of the Holy Trinity in Gniezno.

On foot

Most tourists will find it unnecessary to use public transport in Gniezno, as all main tourist attractions are situated in the very centre (6-8 minute walk from both rail and bus station).

By bus

The network consists of 16 city bus lines and 1 suburban line. Some lines run only few times a day (e.g. in peak hours).

The fee structure is simple - single ride will cost you 2 zloty (0.45€), the fee doubles at night (23-5). If you travel more, you can use 11-ride ticket for 21 zloty. Unfortunately, there're no multiple-day tickets, the only option for those staying in the city for longer are monthly tickets - for one line : 50 zlotys (12€), for two lines : 60, for the whole network : 100 zlotys.

More information : free phone number : 9285 or .

Tourist information

• The regional Tourist Information Centre, Rynek Sq., Phone / fax : [phone], mailto:[e-mail]
• Polish Country-Lovers’ Society, the Gniezno department, 10, Łaskiego str. Phone : [phone], fax [phone]

See

Gniezno Cathedral, where 6 kings of Poland were coronated between the 11th and 14th centuries

Central post office

• The Assumption and St. Adalbert's Cathedral, with the reliquaries of St. Adalbert (Czech: Wojtiech; Polish: Wojciech), famous Romanesque bronze door from c. 1170, the most precious monument of romanesque art in Poland, the tombs of St. Adalbert and numerous Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque monuments and tombs of Gniezno bishops and archbishops and some Polish primates.
• The Archbishopric Archives contain numerous documents including papal bulls from the early Middle Ages, the most precious of which are the Golden Gniezno Codex, the bulla od pope Innocent II from 1136 and the pergamine Gospel book - a manuscript from France from c. 800.
• The Gothic Church of St. John the Baptist from the mid 19th century, with unique polichromy in the presbytery. More :
• The Archbishopric Museum with precious liturgical vessels, including the chalice of St. Adalbert, chalice of Dobrava (the wife of first polish Dukre, buried in Poznań) or the Royal Chalice.
• The Gothic Parish church of the Holy Trinity from the 15th century
• The Gothic-Baroque Franciscan Assumption and St. Anthony's Church with the miraculous icon of Our Lady, the Mistress of Gniezno; next door is the Baroque Franciscan Monastery from the 18th century
• Gothic Church of St. Michael Archangel from the 15th century, rebuilt in 1815 with a neo-Baroque rower from 1900.
• The Primates' Palace

Visits to the Bronze Door and the cathedral's crypt are permitted only with a guide.

Museums

• The Gniezno Archbishopric Museum, 2 Kolegiaty str., Phone : [phone], open 9.00-17.30 (May-Sep, except Mondays) or 9.00-15.00 (Oct-Apr, except Sundays, Mondays and church holidays)
• The Museum of Beginnings of The Polish State 1, Kostrzewskiego str. , mailto:[e-mail], Phone : [phone], open from Tuesday to Sunday 9:30 - 17:30 (May–Sep) or 10.00-17.00 (Oct-Apr). As the main part of the museum is an interactive show about the earliest polish history, one needs to make an obligatory advance booking!
• The Municipal Museum - to be opened soon.

Do

• International Jazz Festival "Jazz Pod Piątką" (Jazz in the building number 5)- in June,
• International Organ Festival "Musik in the Gniezno Cathedral walls"- concerts on Sundays in June and July
• The Polish Amateur Film Festival "Offeliada' - in October
• Juwenalia - the festival of students of the Collegium Europaeum University, the Gniezno State Professional High School - in May
• The Nameday of Gniezno - April 23 (Saint Adalbert's day)
• The Gniezno Days - late April
• The Long-Distance International Run of the United Europe - late April
• The Flea Markets - several times a year
• The Days of St. John - around June 24
• The Polish Piast Bike Rally - in June
• Meetings with poetry - in the undergrounds of the Gniezno Cathedral, irregularly

Eat

Budget

• Amanda, 1, Chrobrego str., Phone : [phone]
• Cafe-Pub Klub Kibica, 32, Warszawska str., Phone : [phone], mailto:[e-mail]
• City Bar, 15, Rynek Square, Phone : [phone], mailto:[e-mail]
• Hubertus, 2, Kolejowa str., Phone : [phone], http://www.wlkp.info.pl mailto:[e-mail]
• Pod Piątką, 5, Tumska str., Phone : [phone], http://www.5.gniezno.pl mailto:[e-mail]
• Poker, 185, Wrzesińska str., Phone : [phone]
• Stołówka CEG, 5-7 Kostrzewskiego str, Phone : [phone]
• Wenecja, 9, Jeziorna str., Phone : [phone]
• Verona, 20, Rynek Square, Phone : [phone]
• Stołówka Klubowa, 42, Roosevelta str., Tel : [phone]
• U Zygmunta, 20, Ks. Prymasa Wyszynskiego str, Phone : [phone], mailto:[e-mail]

Mid-range and splurge

• RATUSZOWA, 40/41 Chrobrego str., Phone : [phone]
• Europejska, 19, Dabrowki str., Phone : [phone]
• Gwarna, ul. Mieszka I 16, Phone : [phone]
• Herbowa, 106, Roosevelta str., Phone : [phone] wew. 124, 609 154 098, mailto:[e-mail]
• Imperial, 2, Paczkowskiego str., Phone : [phone]
• In Centro, 10, Rynek Square, Phone : [phone], mailto:[e-mail]
• Kasyno, 43, Wrzesińska str., Phone : [phone]
• Kresowianka, 123, Roosevelta str., Phone : [phone] http://www.kresowianka.pl mailto:[e-mail]
• Klub Muzyczny "Młyn" (Music Club „The Mill”) 51, Roosevelta str., Phone : [phone], http://www.mlyn.gniezno.pl
• Kresowianka, Rynek Square, Phone : [phone]
• Królewska, 3, Chrobrego str., Phone : [phone], mailto:[e-mail]
• Leo Libra, ul. Pustachowska 1, Phone : [phone]
• Nest, 20, Sobieskiego str., Phone : [phone], mailto:[e-mail]
• Panda, 6, Łubieńskiego str., Phone : [phone]
• Restauracja Polska, 5, Tumska str., Phone : [phone], mailto:[e-mail]
• Ristorante Italiano, 12, Tumska str., Phone : [phone]
• Sphinks, 4, Chrobrego str., Phone : [phone]
• Staromiejska, 11, Łubieńskiego str., Phone : [phone]
• W Piwnicy, 7, Dąbrówki str., Phone : [phone]
• W Starej Kamienicy, 13, 3 Maja str., Phone : [phone]
• Złoty Smok, 1A, Kaszarska str., Phone : [phone]
• Restauracja Za Drzwiami, 11, Tumska str., Phone : [phone]

In the vicinity

• Karczma Wiejska (The Country Inn), Kosowo 28, 62-250 Czerniejewo, Phone : [phone]
• Kleckowianka, 20, Paderewskiego str., 62-270 Kłecko, Phone : [phone]
• Nad Jeziorem Białym (The White Lake), 62-431 Skorzęcin 52, Phone : [phone], mailto:[e-mail]
• Restaurant-Hotel Pietrak, 4, Foluska str., 62-240 Trzemeszno, Phone : [phone], mailto:[e-mail]
• The Czerniejewo Palace Restaurant, 5, Gen. Lipskiego str., 62-250 Czerniejewo, Phone : [phone], mailto:[e-mail]

Drink

Sleep

Budget

• The Medical School Hostel, 27, Mieszka I str., Phone : [phone],
• The School Centre Hostel, 16, Powstańców Wlkp. Str., Phone : [phone], mailto:[e-mail]
• Youth hostel, 11, Pocztowa str., Phone : [phone],
• Youth hostel, Siemianowo 11, 62-261 Lednogóra (15 km from Gniezno), Phone : [phone]
• The House of the Society of Countryside Libraries, 20, Ksiedza Ludwiczaka str., Phone : [phone]

Mid-range

• Hotel Gewert, 2, Paczkowskiego str., Tel [phone], mailto:[e-mail]
• Hotel City, 15, Rynek Sq., Phone : [phone], [ Hotel Gniezno ] mailto:[e-mail]
• Hotel Lech, 5, Bł. Jolenty str., Phone : [phone], mailto:[e-mail]
• Hotel MIESZKO, 2, Strumykowa str., Phone : [phone], mailto:[e-mail]
• Hotel Orzeł, 25, Wrzesińska str., Phone : [phone] or [phone],
• Motel ED-RAJ, 8a, Krótka str., Phone : [phone]

Splurge

• AWO, 32, Warszawska str., Phone : [phone], mailto:[e-mail]
• Adalbertus, 7a, Tumska str., Phone : [phone], http://www.pietrak.pl mailto:[e-mail] Centrally located, just few steps to the Cathedral and two minutes walk to the Rynek Square.
• Hotel "Nest", 20, Sobieskiego str., Phone : [phone], http://www.hotelnest.pl mailto:[e-mail]
• Hotel Pietrak, 3, Chrobrego str., Phone : [phone], http://www.hotel-pietrak.home.pl mailto:[e-mail]

In the vicinity

As Gniezno is in the Lake District, many accommodation options are well out of the city:

• Motel Gościniec w Dolinie (The Valley Inn), Jankowo Dolne 43, 62-200 Gniezno, Phone : [phone]
• Jankowo Dolne – The Rest Centre Phone : [phone], mailto:[e-mail]
• Gołąbki – The Rest Centre „Jutrzenka”, 88-422 - Gościeszyn, Phone : [phone]
• Mielno – The Kids’ Rest Centre, Mielno 8, 62 - 212 Mieleszyn, Phone : [phone], mailto:[e-mail]
• Witkowo – The Sport and Recreation Centre, Skorzecin, Phone : [phone], mailto:[e-mail]
• Skorzęcin – Camping, Iind category, 62 - 230 Witkowo, Phone : [phone], open June - mid-Sept
• "Czeremcha", 20, Św. Jana str., 62-240 Trzemeszno, Phone : [phone]
• Hotel Biały - „Nad Jeziorem Białym" (On the White Lake), 62-431 Skorzęcin 52, Phone : [phone], mailto:info@hotel-skorzęcin.pl
• „Słowianin" (A Slav), Modliszewo 8B, 62-211 Zdziechowa, Phone : [phone]
• Osiniec Inn, Osiniec 14a, 62 - 200 Gniezno, Phone : [phone]
• Agrotouristic House Kalina, Kalina 4, 62 – 200 Gniezno, Phone : [phone], mailto:[e-mail]
• Agrotouristic House Beata Kamińska, Goślinowo 34, 62 – 200 Gniezno, Phone : [phone]
• Hotel Pietrak, 4, Foluska str., 62-240 Trzemeszno, Phone : [phone], mailto:[e-mail]
• Hotel Victoria, Łubowo 13, 62-260 Łubowo, Phone : [phone], l mailto:[e-mail]
• The Czerniejewo Palace, 5, Gen. Lipskiego str., 62-250 Czerniejewo, Phone : [phone], mailto:[e-mail]

Go next

The large cities of Poznań, Bydgoszcz and Toruń are within 60-90 minutes from Gniezno by road or rail.

The area around Gniezno is rich in historic monuments and places of interest:

• Ostrów Lednicki - an island on Lednica Lake with preserved remnants of a medieval fortress from 10th century; one of the most important places on the Piast Route.
• Dziekanowice - located next to Ostrów Lednicki, with an open-air museum of Greater Poland architecture
• The Fish-Gate (a large girder construction shaped after the early Christian symbol) in Imiołki. Every year in May or June, the Dominican Order holds a large Catholic youth gathering there.
• Timber churches in Weglewo and Lubowo
• Czerniejewo with a beautiful classicist palace, stables and carriage house
• Żnin, Biskupin and Wenecja with settlements of so-called Lusitian culture from 2700 years ago all connected via narrow gauge railway
• Trzemeszno with one of polish oldest churches
• Strzelno - a romanesque rotunda and the Trinity Church with famous columns presenting human virtues and sins
• Mogilno with a romanesque church of St. John