# Gniew

> city of Poland

**Wikidata**: [Q305067](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q305067)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gniew)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/gniew

## Summary

Gniew is a historic city in northern Poland, located in Tczew County within the Pomeranian Voivodeship. Founded as a town in 1297, Gniew served as a royal city within the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth until the First Partition of Poland in 1772. Today, it functions as an administrative center for Gmina Gniew and had a population of 6,285 residents as of the 2021 Polish census.

## Key Facts

- **Location**: Gmina Gniew, Tczew County, Pomeranian Voivodeship, Poland
- **Coordinates**: 53.833333333333° N, 18.833333333333° E
- **Area**: 6.75 square kilometres
- **Elevation**: 47 metres above sea level
- **Population**: 6,285 (2021 Polish census, most recent value); 6,844 (2003)
- **Population breakdown**: 3,019 male, 3,266 female (2021)
- **Founded**: 1297 (town status)
- **Historical status**: Royal city in Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth until 1772
- **Timezone**: UTC+01:00 (standard time), UTC+02:00 (daylight saving time)
- **Postal code**: 83-140
- **Local dialing code**: 58
- **Official name**: Gniew
- **Native label**: Gniew
- **Aliases**: Mewe, Gméw
- **Website**: http://www.gniew.pl
- **Member of**: Związek Miast Nadwiślańskich (Union of Vistula Cities)
- **Water body**: Located on the Wierzyca River (tributary of the Vistula)
- **Notable landmark**: Gniew Castle (featured in main image)
- **Flag and coat of arms**: Both officially adopted and available via Wikimedia Commons

## FAQs

**What type of administrative unit is Gniew?**

Gniew is a city and the seat of Gmina Gniew (rural municipality) in Tczew County, Pomeranian Voivodeship, Poland. It holds town status dating back to 1297.

**What is Gniew's population?**

According to the Polish census of 2021, Gniew has a population of 6,285 residents, comprising 3,019 males and 3,266 females. Earlier data from 2003 recorded 6,844 residents.

**What is Gniew's historical significance?**

Gniew was established as a town in 1297 and became a royal city within the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. It retained this status until the First Partition of Poland in 1772, when it came under Prussian rule.

**What bodies of water are near Gniew?**

Gniew is situated on the Wierzyca River, which is a tributary of the Vistula, Poland's longest river.

**What organizations is Gniew a member of?**

Gniew is a member of Związek Miast Nadwiślańskich (Union of Vistula Cities), an association of Polish municipalities located along the Vistula River.

**What is Gniew's relationship to other administrative divisions?**

Gniew is located in Tczew County within the Pomeranian Voivodeship. It serves as the seat of Gmina Gniew, the administrative district that surrounds the city.

## Why It Matters

Gniew represents an important historical urban center in northern Poland with roots dating back to the late 13th century. Its strategic location on the Wierzyca River made it a significant settlement during the medieval period and within the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. The city's royal status until 1772 reflects its historical importance as an administrative and economic center in the region.

Today, Gniew serves as a local administrative hub for the surrounding rural municipality, providing services and infrastructure to residents of the Tczew County area. Its inclusion in the Związek Miast Nadwiślańskich highlights its continued connection to the Vistula River basin, one of Poland's most important geographical features. The city's population of over 6,000 residents, combined with its historical heritage and location in the economically significant Pomeranian Voivodeship, makes it a notable component of northern Poland's urban landscape.

The preservation of Gniew Castle as a prominent landmark demonstrates the city's commitment to maintaining its historical identity, which contributes to regional cultural tourism and educational opportunities.

## Notable For

- **Historical royal city status**: One of the cities granted royal privileges within the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, maintaining this status from 1297 until 1772
- **Medieval founding**: Established as a town in 1297, making it over 725 years old
- **Strategic river location**: Situated on the Wierzyca River, a tributary of Poland's longest river, the Vistula
- **Castle heritage**: Home to Gniew Castle, a significant medieval fortress
- **Administrative function**: Serves as the seat of Gmina Gniew, the administrative center for the surrounding rural municipality
- **Multilingual presence**: Wikipedia articles available in 28 languages, indicating international recognition
- **Part of Union of Vistula Cities**: Active member of Związek Miast Nadwiślańskich, connecting it with other Vistula-region municipalities

## Body

### History and Political Status

Gniew's origins trace back to 1297 when it was granted town status, establishing it as a significant urban settlement in medieval Poland. The city held the distinction of being a royal city within the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, a status that conferred certain privileges and administrative importance during the medieval and early modern periods. This royal status remained in effect until the First Partition of Poland in 1772, when the region came under Prussian administration as part of the partitions of Poland.

The historical classification of Gniew as both a "town" (from 1297) and specifically as a "Royal city in Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth" (until 1772) reflects its dual identity as both a local administrative center and a city of royal significance within the broader Polish state. This historical legacy contributes to Gniew's cultural heritage and distinguishes it from smaller settlements in the region.

### Geography and Location

Gniew is situated in northern Poland, specifically in Tczew County within the Pomeranian Voivodeship. The city lies at coordinates 53.833333333333° N latitude and 18.833333333333° E longitude. The municipal area covers 6.75 square kilometres, making it a moderately sized urban center within the region.

The city's elevation stands at 47 metres above sea level, placing it in the lowland terrain characteristic of northern Poland. Gniew's geographical significance is enhanced by its position on the Wierzyca River, which flows through the city before eventually joining the Vistula River. This river location has historically provided transportation routes and economic opportunities for the settlement.

The administrative structure places Gniew as the seat of Gmina Gniew, the rural municipality that encompasses the city and surrounding areas. This administrative function positions Gniew as the primary service center for the local population.

### Demographics and Population

As of the most recent Polish census conducted on March 31, 2021, Gniew has a population of 6,285 residents. This figure represents the current most recent official count, obtained through the national census methodology. The population breakdown shows 3,019 male residents and 3,266 female residents, indicating a relatively balanced gender distribution with a slight female majority.

Earlier population data from 2003 recorded 6,844 residents, suggesting a population decline over the approximately 18-year period between counts. This demographic trend reflects broader patterns of population movement from smaller urban centers to larger cities observed in many regions of Poland.

### Administrative and Infrastructure Details

Gniew operates as a city with a local dialing code of 58 and the postal code 83-140. The municipality code (TERC) for Gniew is 2214024, while the SIMC place identifier is 0934470. These administrative codes facilitate statistical tracking, postal services, and governmental functions.

The city maintains an official website at http://www.gniew.pl, providing information about local government services, events, and community resources. This digital presence supports communication between municipal authorities and residents.

### International Identification and References

Gniew is catalogued in numerous international identification systems, reflecting its presence in global databases and knowledge bases:

- **VIAF ID**: 167635361 (Virtual International Authority File)
- **GND ID**: 4460082-3 (German National Library)
- **Freebase ID**: /m/0c4t4k
- **Geonames ID**: 3099127
- **MusicBrainz Area ID**: 092c79ab-7ab2-4403-bfa7-ec35c1078ad3
- **Library of Congress Authority ID**: n85065948
- **National Library of Israel J9U ID**: 987007555468805171
- **Yale LUX ID**: place/9468d6dc-95ef-4b32-8c8d-5dda4cc22149
- **FactGrid Item ID**: Paul Uhlenhuth (referring to a related entity)
- **Who's On First ID**: 101817635

The city has a sitelink count of 32, indicating its presence across multiple Wikimedia projects. Wikipedia articles about Gniew exist in 28 languages, ranging from Arabic (arz) and Azerbaijani (azb) to Vietnamese (vi) and Chinese (zh), demonstrating international awareness of the city.

### Cultural Assets and Symbols

Gniew maintains several official cultural symbols, including a flag and coat of arms, both of which are documented in Wikimedia Commons. The city's main visual landmark is Gniew Castle, which appears in the primary image associated with the city. The castle serves as a significant historical and architectural asset, representing the city's medieval heritage.

The Commons category for Gniew contains visual documentation of the city, while the commons gallery provides additional photographic materials. The topic's main category is Category:Gniew, organized within the broader Wikimedia Commons structure.

### Time and Communication

Gniew operates in the Central European Time zone, observing standard time as UTC+01:00 and daylight saving time as UTC+02:00. This time zone arrangement follows standard European practices, aligning with other Polish cities and neighboring countries.

The local dialing code 58 is shared with other municipalities in the region, facilitating telecommunications within the area code district.

### Membership and Associations

Gniew is a member of Związek Miast Nadwiślańskich (Union of Vistula Cities), an organization that connects municipalities along the Vistula River. This membership reflects Gniew's geographical identity as a river city and provides a framework for cooperation with other Vistula-region communities on shared interests such as environmental protection, infrastructure development, and cultural exchange.

The membership is documented with references to the organization's website (http://www.zmn.org.pl/Miasta_czlonkowskie.html) and archived versions, confirming the city's ongoing participation in this regional association.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. [Source](http://www.zmn.org.pl/Miasta_czlonkowskie.html)
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
4. Czech National Authority Database
5. MusicBrainz
6. [Source](https://bdl.stat.gov.pl/api/v1/data/localities/by-unit/042214214024-0934470?var-id=1639616&format=jsonapi)
7. [Source](https://bdl.stat.gov.pl/api/v1/data/localities/by-unit/042214214024-0934470?var-id=1639618&format=jsonapi)
8. [Source](https://bdl.stat.gov.pl/api/v1/data/localities/by-unit/042214214024-0934470?var-id=1639617&format=jsonapi)
9. GeoNames
10. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File