Gniew Castle

A mighty Teutonic stronghold above the Vistula, built from 1290 over nearly forty years. It is one of the best-preserved castles of the Order in Poland — today it houses a hotel and a museum and stages some of Pomerania's best-known historical re-enactments.

From the Teutonic Knights to the Crown

Gniew was the Order's first stronghold on the left bank of the Vistula. Four wings surround a square courtyard, guarded by three corner turrets and a massive main tower. In 1410 Polish forces seized the castle, though it returned to the Order before capitulating to the royal army on 1 January 1464. Under the Second Peace of Thorn (1466) it passed to Poland for good and became the seat of starostas.

The Sobieski connection

In the 17th century the Gniew starosty was held by Jan Sobieski, later King of Poland. For his wife Maria Kazimiera he erected a Baroque palace at the foot of the castle — which is why Gniew is often called the Sobieski castle.

From granary to hotel

After the partition of 1772 the Prussians turned the interiors into a granary, a fire gutted the castle in 1921, and reconstruction ran from 1968 to 1974. A lesser-known chapter followed 1939, when the German authorities used it as a prison for Poles. Since 2010 the owner has been Polmlek, and the historic chambers now serve as hotel apartments.

Good to know

August is the liveliest month: the battle of 1626 between Gustavus II Adolphus and Sigismund III has been re-enacted here annually since 2001. Knightly tournaments and the Festival of Medieval Culture run through the season. Allow 1.5-2 hours for a relaxed visit and check the events calendar before a summer trip.