Gniezno

Gniezno [1] is a city in Greater Poland in Poland. It is situated in the north-east part of the region, in Gniezno Lake District, between three lakes : Jelonek, Swietokrzyskie and Winiary. Historically it was one of the most important towns in the times of the creation of the Polish state - in Xth and XIth centuries. Gniezno has become the seat of the second polish diocese (after Poznan), but the first - archbishopric. The Gniezno cathedral was - for almost 300 years - the coronation cathedral, however the kings' and dukes' burials took place - for as well 300 years - in Poznan. Understand Polish Country-Lovers’ Society, the Gniezno department, 10, Łaskiego str. Phone : +48 61 425 37 37, fax +48 61 426 36 60 The regional Tourist Information Centre, Rynek Sq., Phone / fax : +48 61 428 41 00, [2] mailto:turystyka@powiat-gniezno.pl Get in By plane The nearest airport is in Poznan (50km) with numerous regular connections accross Europe. You can also use a small airport in Bydgoszcz (90km). By train Gniezno is a crucial junction of railroads, but - unfortunately - 2 out of 5 lines leading to Gniezno (from Chojnice and Wagrowiec) are used only for the freight traffic. The main rail line is the one Poznan-Gniezno-Inowroclaw, where it is devided to Gdansk through Bydgoszcz and to Olsztyn through Toruń. There're many trains on this line : to Poznan up to 17 daily regional trains and 6-10(depending on season) fast ones. The travel time to Poznan varies from 40-45 for fast trains to 55 for the local ones, stopping at every station. If you take into account traffic and jams in Poznan, trains seem to be the best solution, more : the station in Gniezno is located in the heart of the city. to Bydgoszcz and Gdansk : 4 regional trains and 4-7 fast ones to Torun and Olsztyn 2 local trains and 3 fast ones. Apart from this, there are some regional trains to Inowrocław, where you can change for other local ones to do Bydgoszcz and Gdansk or to Torun and Olsztyn. It's important to mention a line from Gniezno to Wrzesnia and Jarocin, with 4 local trains daily (including two of then, that are coordinated in Jarocin with trains to Wroclaw. An interesting alternative for those travelling to Gniezno from the south-east (lakes in Powidz, Anastazewo) is a journey by a local 38-km -long narrow-gauge railway. It runs during spring and summer weekends, and - on special wish - on any day. Details : (polish only) [3]. By bus Gniezno is a big bus travel junction, as well. Most caoaches go not - as ypu might think - to Poznan (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 beatiful classicistic palace) : more than 30 daily Imiolki (the dominican Fish-Gate) : 11 daily Konin : 14 buses daily Kruszwica through Strzelno : 8 daily Skorzecin (a nice lake resort) : 12 daily Wenecja through Biskupin : 9 buses daily Wagrowiec : 9 daily Wrzesnia : 18 daily Znin : 10 buses daily Apart from these : numerous local buses, which have little meaning for tourists. By car The main road passing through Gniezno is the country road nr 5, linking the town with Poznan and Wroclaw in the south and with Bydgoszcz and Gdansk in the north and passing through such attractions like Biskupin, Wenecja or Znin. The other roads passing through Gniezno are : the country road nr 15 - enablling you to get to Kruszwica, Strzelno or Torun (Thorn); local road nr 260 - for those travelling in the Lake District nearby Powidz, 190 - to Wagrowiec and 197 to Slawa through the northern parts of Lednicki Lanscape Park. Get around For most of tourist the city transport in Gniezno will be totally unimportant, as all main city attractions are situated in the very centre (6-8 minute walk from both rail and bus station). But - if necessary - Gniezno buses will take you to some other districts of the city and surroundings. Fees - the ticket system is here very easy : 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 opton for those staying in the city for longer - are month tickets : for one line : 50 zlotys (12€), for two lines : 60, for the whole network : 100 zlotys. The network consists of 16 city bus lines and 1 out-of-city line, but take into account, that some lines run only few times a day (e.g. in peak hours). More information : free phone number : 9285 or [4]. See The Assumtion and St. Adalbert's Archcathedral, with the reliques of St. Adalbert (his original Czech and similar Polish name to Wojtiech / Wojciech), famous romanesque rbonze door from appr. 1170, the most precious monument od romanesque art in Poland, the tomb of St, Adalebrt and numerous gothic, renessaince and baroque epitaphies and tombs of gniezno bishops and archbishops and some polish primates and the polish riechiest collection of baroque gratings. numerous document, papal bullas from early middle Ages - that's a part of collection of Archbishipric Archives : the most precious ones are the Golden Gniezno Codex, the bulla od pope Innocent II from 1136 and the pergamine Gospel book - a manuscript from France from appr. 800. a gothic church of St. John the Baptist from mid-XIVth century with the unique polichromy inside, in the presbitery. More : [5] The Archbishopric Museum with precious liturgical vessels, including the chalice of St. Adalbert, chalice of Dobrava (the wife of first polish Dukre, burried in Poznan) or the Royal Chalice. gothic parish church of the Holy Trinity from XVth cent gothic-baroque fransiscan Assumption and St. Anthony's church with the miraculous icon of Our Lady, the Masstress of Gniezno; besides - the baroque Fransiscan Monastery from XVIIIth century gothic church of St. Michael Archangel from XVth century, rebuilt in 1815 with a neo-baroque rower from 1900. the Primates' Palace For a few years it's been obligatory to vivit the Bronze Door and the cathedral undergrouds only with a guide (even, if you are an individual). Museums The Gniezno Archbishopric Museum, 2 Kolegiaty str., Phone : +48 61 426 37 78, open 9.00-17.30 (Mai-Sept, exept 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. [6] , mailto:info@mppp.pl, Phone : +48 61 426 46 41, open : from Tuesday to Sunday 9:30 - 17:30 (Mai – Sept) or 10.00-17.00 (Oct-Apr). As the main part of the museum is an interactive show about the earliest polish history, reservations are obligatory! – in this part of the museum there can be just one group at the time. The Municipal Museum is going to be opened soon. Do International Jazz Festival "Jazz Pod Piątką" (Jazz in the building number 5)- in June, [7] 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 - appr. April, 23 (so the Adalbert's nameday) The Gniezno Days - as well in the 2ng half of April The Lond-Distance International Run of the United Europe - at the end of April, as well. The Flea Markets - several times a year, [8] The Days of St. John - appr. June, 24. The Polish Piast Bike Rally - in June The meetings with poetry - in the undergrounds of the Gniezno Cathedral - irregularly Eat Budget Amanda, 1, Chrobrego str., Phone : +48 61 428 28 31 Cafe-Pub Klub Kibica, 32, Warszawska str., Phone : +48 61 426 11 97, http://www.hotel-awo.pl mailto:awo@hotel-awo.pl City Bar, 15, Rynek Square, Phone : +48 61 425 35 35, mailto:sunnytravel@hotel-victoria.pl Hubertus, 2, Kolejowa str., Phone : +48 61 426 74 49, http://www.wlkp.info.pl mailto:95095544@pro.onet.pl Pod Piątką, 5, Tumska str., Phone : +48 61 426 18 00, http://www.5.gniezno.pl mailto:office@5.gniezno.pl Poker, 185, Wrzesińska str., Phone : +48 61 425 78 57 Stołówka CEG, 5-7 Kostrzewskiego str, Phone : +48 61 423 71 52 Wenecja, 9, Jeziorna str., Phone : +48 61 426 19 26 Verona, 20, Rynek Square, Phone : +48 61 425 38 38 Stołówka Klubowa, 42, Roosevelta str., Tel : 693 533 341 U Zygmunta, 20, Ks. Prymasa Wyszynskiego str, Phone : +48 61 426 37 74, mailto:mariakam@wp.pl Mid-range and splurge RATUSZOWA, 40/41 Chrobrego str., Phone : +48 61 424 32 23 Europejska, 19, Dabrowki str., Phone : +48 61 426 30 41 Gwarna, ul. Mieszka I 16, Phone : +48 61 426 16 16 Herbowa, 106, Roosevelta str., Phone : +48 61 426 54 31 wew. 124, 609 154 098, mailto:restauracjaherbowa@02.pl Imperial, 2, Paczkowskiego str., Phone : +48 61 428 23 75 In Centro, 10, Rynek Square, Phone : +48 61 428 26 14, mailto:incentro@wp.pl Kasyno, 43, Wrzesińska str., Phone : +48 61 425 70 21 Kresowianka, 123, Roosevelta str., Phone : +48 61 428 23 93 http://www.kresowianka.pl mailto:kresowianka@kresowianka.pl Klub Muzyczny "Młyn" (Music Club „The Mill”) 51, Roosevelta str., Phone : +48 602 447 674, http://www.mlyn.gniezno.pl Kresowianka, Rynek Square, Phone : +48 61 424 22 52 Królewska, 3, Chrobrego str., Phone : +48 61 426 14 97, [9] mailto:hotel-pietrak@home.pl Leo Libra, ul. Pustachowska 1, Phone : +48 61 425 66 81 Nest, 20, Sobieskiego str., Phone : +48 61 423 80 00, [10] mailto:recepcja@hotelnest.pl Panda, 6, Łubieńskiego str., Phone : +48 603 101 081 Restauracja Polska, 5, Tumska str., Phone : +48 61 426 18 00, [11] mailto:office@5.gniezno.pl Ristorante Italiano, 12, Tumska str., Phone : +48 61 426 14 97 Sphinks, 4, Chrobrego str., Phone : +48 61 426 13 73 Staromiejska, 11, Łubieńskiego str., Phone : +48 603 577 724 W Piwnicy, 7, Dąbrówki str., Phone : +48 61 425 24 85 W Starej Kamienicy, 13, 3 Maja str., Phone : +48 61 424 22 46 Złoty Smok, 1A, Kaszarska str., Phone : +48 61 426 78 04 Restauracja Za Drzwiami, 11, Tumska str., Phone : +48 61 424 44 02 In the vicinity Karczma Wiejska (The Country Inn), Kosowo 28, 62-250 Czerniejewo, Phone : +48 61 429 42 68 Kleckowianka, 20, Paderewskiego str., 62-270 Kłecko, Phone : +48 61 427 00 80 Nad Jeziorem Białym (The White Lake), 62-431 Skorzęcin 52, Phone : +48 63 277 01 49, [12] mailto:info@hotel-skorzecin.pl Restaurant-Hotel Pietrak, 4, Foluska str., 62-240 Trzemeszno, Phone : +48 52 215 44 00, mailto:hp-trzemeszno@post.pl The Czerniejewo Palace Restaurant, 5, Gen. Lipskiego str., 62-250 Czerniejewo, Phone : +48 61 427 37 01, [13] mailto:biuro@czerniejewo-palac.pl Drink Sleep Budget The Medical School Hostel, 27, Mieszka I str., Phone : +48 61 426 34 09, [14] The School Centre Hostel, 16, Powstańców Wlkp. Str., Phone : +48 61 424 57 11, mailto:soswg@ids.poznan.pl Youth hostel, 11, Pocztowa str., Phone : +48 61 424 07 96, [15] Youth hostel, Siemianowo 11, 62-261 Lednogóra (15 kms from Gniezno), Phone : +48 61 427 52 99 The House of the Society of Countryside Libraries, 20, Ksiedza Ludwiczaka str., Phone : +48 61 425 98 96 Mid-range Hotel Gewert, 2, Paczkowskiego str., Tel 061 428 23 75, [16] mailto:recepcja@gewert.gniezno.pl Hotel City, 15, Rynek Sq., Phone : +48 61 425 35 35, mailto:biuro@sunny-travel.pl Hotel Lech, 5, Bł. Jolenty str., Phone : +48 61 426 23 85, [17] mailto:recepcja@hotel-lech.pl Hotel MIESZKO, 2, Strumykowa str., Phone : +48 61 426 46 66, [18] mailto:mieszko-poczta@bazafirm.pl Hotel Orzeł, 25, Wrzesińska str., Phone : +48 61 426 49 25 or +48 602 489 021, Motel ED-RAJ, 8a, Krótka str., Phone : +48 61 424 42 81 Splurge AWO, 32, Warszawska str., Phone : +48 61 426 11 97, [19] mailto:recepcja@hotel-awo.pl Adalbertus, 7a, Tumska str., Phone : +48 61 426 13 60, http://www.pietrak.pl mailto:adalbertus@pietrak.pl Centrally located, just few steps to the Cathedral and two minutes walk to the Rynek Square. Hotel "Nest", 20, Sobieskiego str., Phone : +48 61 423 80 00, http://www.hotelnest.pl mailto:recepcja@hotelnest.pl Hotel Pietrak, 3, Chrobrego str., Phone : +48 61 426 14 97, http://www.hotel-pietrak.home.pl mailto:hotel-pietrak@home.pl In the vicinity As Gniezno is located in the Lake District, many accomodation places are as well oput of the city : Motel Gościniec w Dolinie (The Valley Inn), Jankowo Dolne 43, 62-200 Gniezno, Phone : +48 61 427 11 21 Jankowo Dolne – The Rest Centre Phone : +48 61 424 57 36, [20] mailto:jankowo@gosir.gniezno.pl Gołąbki – The Rest Centre „Jutrzenka”, 88-422 - Gościeszyn, Phone : +48 52 302 49 80 Mielno – The Kids’ Rest Centre, Mielno 8, 62 - 212 Mieleszyn, Phone : +48 61 427 74 21, mailto:dwd@mielno.pl Witkowo – The Sport and Recreation Centre, Skorzecin, Phone : +48 63 277 92 77, mailto:oksiw@skorzecin.net.pl Skorzęcin – Camping, Iind category, 62 - 230 Witkowo, Phone : +48 63 277 02 79, open June - mid-Sept "Czeremcha", 20, Św. Jana str., 62-240 Trzemeszno, Phone : +48 61 415 43 86 „Nad Jeziorem Białym" (On the White Lake), 62-431 Skorzęcin 52, Phone : +48 63 277 01 49, [21] mailto:info@hotel-skorzęcin.pl „Słowianin" (A Slav), Modliszewo 8B, 62-211 Zdziechowa, Phone : +48 61 427 19 01 Osiniec Inn, Osiniec 14a, 62 - 200 Gniezno, Phone : +48 61 426 45 43 Agrotouristic House Kalina, Kalina 4, 62 – 200 Gniezno, Phone : +48 61 427-11-02, [22] mailto:stajnia-kalina@tenbit.pl Agrotouristic House Beata Kamińska, Goślinowo 34, 62 – 200 Gniezno, Phone : +48 61 426 72 94 Hotel Pietrak, 4, Foluska str., 62-240 Trzemeszno, Phone : +48 52 315 44 00, mailto:hp-trzemeszno@post.pl Hotel Victoria, Łubowo 13, 62-260 Łubowo, Phone : +48 61 427 54 54, [23]l mailto:reception@hotel-victoria.pl The Czerniejewo Palace, 5, Gen. Lipskiego str., 62-250 Czerniejewo, Phone : +48 61 427 37 01, [24] mailto:biuro@czerniejewo-palac.pl Get out As well the surroundings of Gniezno ar rich in onuments from different epoques : Ostrow Lednicki - an island on Lednica Lake with preserved remnants of the mediaval fortress from Xth century; one of the most important places on the Piast Route. Dziekanowice - located next to Ostrow Lednicki - with a open-air museum of Greater Poland architecture the Fish-Gate (a fish as a symbol of the firt christians in Ist cent AC) in Imiolki, where every year in May-June a large youth meeting run by the Dominicans from the Poznan monastery are organised timber churches in Weglewo and Lubowo Czerniejewo with a beautiful classisictic palace, stall and horse-cab house Biskupin - a very important settlement of so-called Lusitian culture from 2700 years ago Wenecja (polish equivalent of Venice) with the tuins of a medieval castle and an open-air museum of narrow-gauged railway Trzemeszno with one of polish oldest churches (next only to Poznan, unfortunately rebuilt in baroque Strzelno - a romanesque rotunda of St. Prokop and the Trinity Church with famous columns presenting human virtues and sins Mogilno with a romanesque church of St. John