Uniejów Castle

Uniejów Castle, situated on the left bank of the Warta River, is one of the most important historical monuments in the city. It was built between 1360 and 1365 by the Archbishop of Gniezno, Jarosław Bogoria Skotnicki, on the site of a former wooden fortress destroyed by the Teutonic Knights in 1331. The structure had a defensive character, serving as a border fortress and a center of diocesan administration, and it hosted important events such as the synod of 1376. The castle features a quadrangular layout and a cylindrical tower that reaches a height of 25 meters. After a fire in 1525, it was rebuilt in the Renaissance style, and in the 17th century, it acquired an early Baroque appearance, which led to the loss of its original Gothic features. Interestingly, in 1704, it was damaged by Saxon troops, and in the 18th century, after another fire, it was renovated under the supervision of Bishop Krzysztof Antoni Szembek. In the 19th century, the castle came into the possession of General Karol Toll, who carried out a Neoclassical reconstruction, and his wife established a romantic landscape park. The Toll family resided in the castle until the end of World War I, after which the building suffered significant damage during World War II. Between 1956 and 1967, the castle was restored and now functions as a hotel, conference center, and restaurant, highlighting its new role in the cultural life of the region. Uniejów Castle is not only a witness to Poland's turbulent history but also a place that blends architectural heritage with modern social functions.