# Gniezno

> city in central-western Poland

**Wikidata**: [Q51432](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q51432)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gniezno)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/gniezno

## Summary
Gniezno is a city in central-western Poland within the Gniezno County of the Wielkopolskie Voivodeship. Recognized as a former national capital of the Kingdom of Poland (until 1038) and a Royal city in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, it serves as an urban municipality with a population of 65,452 as of the 2021 census.

## Key Facts
- **Location**: City in central-western Poland, Europe.
- **Coordinates**: 52.5333° N, 17.6° E.
- **Elevation**: 100 meters above sea level.
- **Area**: 49 square kilometres.
- **Population**: 65,452 (March 31, 2021, Polish census); 68,217 (2019 estimation); 70,083 (2006).
- **Demographics (2021)**: 31,233 male residents; 34,219 female residents.
- **Administrative Status**: Urban municipality of Poland; capital of Gniezno County.
- **Historical Status**: Former national capital (end time: 1038); Royal city in Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.
- **Time Zone**: Central European Time (UTC+01:00) standard; Central European Summer Time (UTC+02:00) daylight saving.
- **Postal Code**: 62-200 to 62-210.
- **License Plate**: PGN.
- **UN/LOCODE**: PLGNZ.

## FAQs
**What is the historical significance of Gniezno?**
Gniezno is historically significant as a former national capital of the Kingdom of Poland, a status it held until 1038, and as a Royal city within the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. It was also the capital of Civitas Schinesghe.

**What is the current population of Gniezno?**
As of the Polish census conducted on March 31, 2021, the population of Gniezno was 65,452. Previous records show a population of 68,217 in 2019 and 70,083 in 2006.

**Where is Gniezno located administratively?**
The city is located in central-western Poland within the Gniezno County. Historically, it was part of the Poznań Voivodeship during two periods (1944–1975 and 1975–1998) before the current county structure was established on January 1, 1999.

**Which cities are twinned with Gniezno?**
Gniezno is twinned with Speyer, Esztergom, Anagni, Radviliškis, Saint-Malo, Uman, Veendam, Roskilde, Falkenberg Municipality, and Ohrid. It formerly had a partnership with Sergiyev Posad which ended in March 2022.

## Why It Matters
Gniezno holds a distinct position in Polish history as one of the earliest capitals of the nation, serving as the seat of power for the Kingdom of Poland until 1038. Its status as a Royal city in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and its designation as the capital of Civitas Schinesghe underscore its foundational role in the statehood of Poland. Culturally and religiously, the city is home to the Gniezno Cathedral, a landmark depicted in major visual archives. In the modern era, it continues to serve as an administrative center for Gniezno County and has been recognized with the Grand Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta, highlighting its continued importance to the Polish state.

## Notable For
- Serving as the first capital of the Kingdom of Poland (until 1038).
- Being a Royal city in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.
- Receiving the Grand Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta.
- Maintaining extensive international twin town agreements, including with Speyer, Esztergom, and Saint-Malo.
- Being documented in numerous historical encyclopedias, including the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica and the Great Soviet Encyclopedia.

## Body

### Geography and Administration
Gniezno is situated in central-western Poland (Europe) at coordinates 52.5333° N, 17.6° E. The city covers a total area of 49 square kilometres and sits at an elevation of 100 meters above sea level. It is the seat of Gniezno County (located in the Wielkopolskie Voivodeship), a status it has held since January 1, 1999. Historically, the city was administratively located in the Poznań Voivodeship during two distinct periods: from August 22, 1944, to May 31, 1975, and again from June 1, 1975, to December 31, 1998. The city shares borders with the rural municipalities (Gminas) of Niechanowo, Czerniejewo, and Gniezno.

### Demographics
According to the Polish census of March 31, 2021, Gniezno has a population of 65,452 people. The gender distribution consists of 31,233 males and 34,219 females. Population records indicate a count of 70,083 in 2006 and an estimated 68,217 residents as of December 31, 2019.

### History and Heritage
The city is a site of deep historical importance, classified as a "former national capital" of the Kingdom of Poland, a status that ended in 1038. It was also the capital of Civitas Schinesghe. Due to its historical prominence, it is described in numerous authoritative sources including the *Jewish Encyclopedia of Brockhaus and Efron*, *Meyers Konversations-Lexikon* (1885–1890), *New International Encyclopedia*, and the *Small Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary*. The city has been known by several aliases historically, including Gnesen, Gnesna, and Gnèsne.

### International Relations
Gniezno maintains active twin town relationships with:
- Speyer
- Esztergom
- Anagni
- Radviliškis
- Saint-Malo
- Uman
- Veendam
- Roskilde
- Falkenberg Municipality
- Ohrid (partnership started in 2009)

The city formerly had a partnership with Sergiyev Posad, which began in 2007 and ended on March 7, 2022.

### Infrastructure and Identification
The city uses the license plate code **PGN** and postal codes ranging from **62-200** to **62-210**. Its UN/LOCODE is **PLGNZ**. Official imagery of the city includes a flag and a coat of arms. The Gniezno Cathedral is a prominent visual landmark of the city. The city's official website is http://www.gniezno.home.pl/.

### Cataloging and Identifiers
Gniezno is indexed in various national and international databases:
- **Library of Congress Authority ID**: n81056597
- **Bibliothèque nationale de France ID**: 119520309
- **National Library of Poland MMS ID**: 9810580172705606
- **GND ID**: 116936-1 (Gniezno) / 4093630-2 (Gnesen)
- **VIAF ID**: 234160645
- **GeoNames ID**: 3099112
- **MusicBrainz Area ID**: d84b0fb8-f971-40bc-a6a7-bc8f54d09b8a
- **OpenStreetMap Relation ID**: 2859016
- **Great Russian Encyclopedia Portal ID**: gnezno-3e6ea2

## References

1. archINFORM
2. [Source](http://oldtmt.vedomosti.ru/beyond_moscow/sergiyev_posad.html)
3. [Source](http://www.sergiev-posad.net/news/druzhim-gorodami)
4. [Source](https://www.radioplus.pl/gniezno/gniezno-zrywa-umowe-partnerska-z-rosyjskim-miastem-siergijew-posad-aa-E8UF-gtyn-sP1Z.html)
5. [Source](https://ohrid.gov.mk/%D0%BF%D1%80%D0%B8%D1%98%D0%B0%D1%82%D0%B5%D0%BB%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%B8-%D0%B8-%D0%B7%D0%B1%D1%80%D0%B0%D1%82%D0%B8%D0%BC%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%B8-%D0%B3%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%B4%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B8/#1550493792826-104f2237-49593bde-e13530e7-072b)
6. Virtual International Authority File
7. BnF authorities
8. [Source](https://www.worlddata.info/europe/poland/timezones.php)
9. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
10. Czech National Authority Database
11. MusicBrainz
12. [Source](https://bdl.stat.gov.pl/api/v1/data/localities/by-unit/023015803011-0970632?var-id=1639616&format=jsonapi)
13. [Source](https://bdl.stat.gov.pl/api/v1/data/localities/by-unit/023015803011-0970632?var-id=1639618&format=jsonapi)
14. [Source](https://bdl.stat.gov.pl/api/v1/data/localities/by-unit/023015803011-0970632?var-id=1639617&format=jsonapi)
15. GeoNames
16. [Source](https://service.unece.org/trade/locode/pl.htm)
17. System for IDs and names of places
18. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)
19. Bibliography of the History of the Czech Lands
20. [Bibliography of the History of the Czech Lands](https://biblio.hiu.cas.cz/records/9606b65b-686f-427e-a4d3-29d778f982c7)
21. museum-digital