The site of the coronation of Poland’s first kings and the legendary first capital of the country, Gniezno is a city steeped in history, legends, and fascinating stories. Here, visitors can easily trace the footsteps of Polish king Bolesław the Brave, St Adalbert, as well as Wenceslaus II of Bohemia and Emperor Otto III. Yet Gniezno is not only about Piast-era monuments – it is also a vibrant city with excellent restaurants, cafés, and local breweries.
Gniezno Cathedral
Standing on the majestic Lech Hill, Gniezno Cathedral – officially the Basilica of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary – is the central point of the Piast Trail.
The construction of the cathedral dates back to the 10th century, and in 997, Bolesław the Brave placed the relics of Bishop Adalbert, the future saint, here. It was to these relics that Emperor Otto III made his pilgrimage during the so-called Congress of Gniezno.
The Gothic form of the cathedral was developed later, in the 14th century, while much of the interior furnishing and almost all the chapels surrounding the main nave exemplify rich Baroque art. The most important element of the interior is the Baroque confessio of St Adalbert, whose design directly references St Peter’s tomb in Rome.
However, the cathedral’s most valuable treasure is the famous Gniezno Doors. Through a series of images, they depict St Adalbert’s life, making the story accessible even to the illiterate. They are over 800 years old.
Royal Route
This is Gniezno’s most important tourist trail, allowing visitors to see all the city’s most interesting sites, learn their history, and have fun collecting points in an interactive city game.
Guides along the route are rabbit figurines – currently 15, with more being added all the time. Along the way, you will also encounter statues of five Polish kings crowned in Gniezno, two legendary figures from old tales, and several models illustrating the city’s development over the centuries.
The Royal Route includes sites such as the Franciscan church and monastery, the Town Hall, former Prussian barracks, and the house where Napoleon Bonaparte is said to have stayed. You will also meet the tasting rabbit at the former vodka and liqueur factory, a chauffeur at Gniezno’s first car showroom from the 1920s, and a speedway rabbit, reflecting the city’s most popular sport – speedway racing.
Gothic churches
Alongside the millennium-old cathedral, the Gothic churches are the most important witnesses to medieval history. The Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the neighbouring Franciscan monastery date back to the time of Bolesław the Pious and his Hungarian princess wife, Jolenta, who was beatified and became the patroness of the Wielkopolska Region. Her relics are preserved here.
For the city’s former inhabitants, the Parish Church of the Holy Trinity was paramount. Inside, the pulpit shaped like a boat draws attention. A chapel of the Literary Brotherhood, dedicated to teaching reading and writing, was added on the southern side. At 12.00 and 15.00, the tower carillon plays the medieval Christian hymn Bogurodzica [The Mother of God] and a figurine of St Adalbert emerges from a small window.
Another particularly interesting Gothic church is St John’s Church, built for the Knights of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre. The interior has preserved much of its original Gothic decoration, including beautiful wall polychromes. Carved heraldic shields with the order’s emblem and images of kneeling monks also evoke the Teutonic Knights. The church is open to visitors only outside service times.
Gniezno Locomotive Depot
The Gniezno Locomotive Depot is a much more recent building, though also constructed of characteristic red brick. A popular saying holds that, a hundred years ago, everyone in Gniezno had a railway worker in the family.
Today, there are no locomotives in Gniezno, but the extensive infrastructure remains. A tour of the depot is a journey into the past, especially as many rooms have been left in the condition in which the staff abandoned them. Visits are only possible with a guide.