This historic first capital of Poland centers around an 11th-century cathedral. Medieval architecture, the Royal Palace and local restaurants serving traditional Polish cuisine define the old town.
Just 50 kilometers east of Poznań lies Gniezno, where kings of Poland were once crowned in the towering Gothic cathedral. Inside the cathedral, you can examine the intricate bronze panels of the 12th-century Gniezno Doors and visit Saint Adalbert's tomb. Walk through streets lined with Gothic and Baroque churches, stop at the Museum of the Origins of the Polish State to see medieval artifacts, or take a stroll around any of the five lakes within the city.
Exploring Gniezno Cathedral
The Gothic Gniezno Cathedral dominates the cityscape from Lech Hill. Step inside to see the Gniezno Doors from 1175, with their 18 bronze relief panels showing Saint Adalbert's life and martyrdom. Look for the silver relic coffin of Saint Adalbert and visit the late-baroque Potocki Chapel with its elliptical cupola, created by Pompeo Ferrari in 1730. Until the 14th century, Polish monarchs received their crowns in this cathedral, making it central to Poland's royal past.
Museums and Cultural Sites
Walk through the Museum of the Origins of the Polish State to see archaeological discoveries from early Polish settlements. Touch the interactive displays and examine medieval weapons up close. Visit the Museum of the Archdiocese of Gniezno to see one of Poland's oldest church collections, including medieval manuscripts, religious paintings, and ceremonial objects from the 10th century.
Churches of the Old Town
The medieval old town contains several distinct churches. The Holy Trinity church's Gothic walls hold elaborate Baroque interior decorations. Saint John the Baptist church maintains its medieval Gothic architecture both inside and out. Walk through the Franciscan monastery complex to see how monks lived and worshipped across centuries. Look up at Saint George church's Baroque facade, or step into Saint Michael Archangel church to see its preserved Gothic elements.
Lakes and Recreation
Walk, cycle, or jog around Gniezno's five lakes: Winiary, Jelonek, Świętokrzyskie, Koszyk, and Zacisze. The path around Lake Jelonek gives clear views of the cathedral spires and medieval center. In summer, join locals swimming and fishing in the lakes, or go ice skating in winter. Take the E11 European long-distance path to explore the region on foot.
Getting There and Around
Trains run regularly between Poznań and Gniezno on the Poznań-Toruń line, with a 45-minute journey time. Most old town attractions are within a 15-minute walk of each other. Catch local buses from the train station to the cathedral area every 20 minutes. Look for information boards with maps at major intersections to help you navigate.
