Castle of the Archbishops of Gniezno with the Castle Tower

Zamek Arcybiskupów Gnieźnieńskich in Uniejów is a Gothic castle from the 14th century, built as a residence and fortress of the archbishops of Gniezno on the left bank of the Warta river. Today the complex operates as a hotel and conference centre with a restaurant, and its cylindrical tower, the Castle Tower, with a small museum in the cellars, remains open to visitors.

The archbishops' stronghold

The castle was built in 1360-1365 on the initiative of Archbishop Jarosław Bogoria Skotnicki, on the site of an earlier wooden watchtower destroyed during a Teutonic raid in 1331. It was erected on a rectangular plan with a dominant cylindrical tower, as part of a system of border fortifications protecting access to the centre of state power from the north, while also serving as an administrative centre for the Gniezno diocese, housing its archive and library. The Gothic architecture of brick construction represents the standard of 13th-century fortresses from Polish lands.

Fire and further rebuilding

Following a fire in 1525, the castle was rebuilt in Renaissance style. The work was directed by starosta Stanisław z Gomoliny, who completed the renovation in 1534, adding new residential and ceremonial chambers adapted to the taste of the era while retaining the defensive function. Until the end of the 18th century the castle remained the seat of the archbishops and a centre of their ecclesiastical power in these territories. A further major transformation came in 1848, when Aleksander Toll carried out a thorough "classical-romantic" renovation of the structure. Between 1956 and 1967 the building was restored again and adapted as an archive.

Entry in the heritage register

The castle was entered in the heritage register under number A/256/714 on 21 October 1967. The park surrounding it was entered in the heritage register separately, under number A/481/222, on 19 August 1992.

A hotel within historic walls

In 2012, Uniejów Municipality carried out a thorough renovation of the castle, adapting its historic structure for contemporary use. The complex now operates as Hotel & SPA Kasztel Uniejów, with rooms in historic style, a restaurant and a conference centre. The renovation preserved the castle's historic features while incorporating hotel infrastructure, so that its Gothic and Renaissance heritage remains accessible to guests and visitors.

The Castle Tower and its cellar museum

The tower's height is given as 33 metres, according to the local website uniejow.net.pl, or as 25 metres, depending on which section of the structure was measured. Access to the observation platform runs through the cellars, which house a small museum with medieval weapons, costumes, vessels and other artefacts, including items from private collections, holdings of a knightly brotherhood and props from the film "The Teutonic Knights". The viewpoint at the top of the tower offers views over Uniejów and the Warta floodplains.

Park above the Warta

The castle is surrounded by a 34-hectare English-style park with walking paths and bird-watching points. The park was restored in 2006 and in 2020-2021, when flood-protection systems were additionally installed.

Practical information

• Address: ul. Zamkowa 2, 99-210 Uniejów.
• Getting there: town centre of Uniejów, two minutes' walk from Termy Uniejów and close to the town square; free parking and bicycle storage on site; rail service to Uniejów.
• Hours: hotel open 9:00-22:00. The tower is accessible almost every weekend, on Saturdays and Sundays; visits to the tower and cellars require prior reservation. Access to the rest of the castle interior depends on availability for hotel guests and event participants; check by phone before your visit.
• Contact: telephone 601 440 931, for group tours also 795 081 203.
• What to expect: a walk around the castle's external grounds and park with views of the Warta, entry through cellars with a small museum, then views of Uniejów from the tower's viewpoint, and the possibility of accommodation and restaurant use. The structure now operates as part of Hotel & SPA Kasztel Uniejów.