The New International Encyclopædia/Gnesen

GNESEN, gnā'zen (Pol. Gniezno). A town in the Province of Posen, Prussia, capital of a circle of the same name, situated in a district abounding in hills and lakes, 31 miles east-northeast of Posen (Map: Prussia, G 2). Its old and noteworthy cathedral, begun in the tenth century, is adorned with fine paintings, bronze doors, and chapels, and contains the tomb of Saint Adalbert, who was bishop here. There are also an archiepiscopal palace, a theological seminary, and a gymnasium. The manufactures include machinery, lumber, sugar, and flour. Tradition fixes the year 550 as the date of the foundation of Gnesen, the oldest town in Poland. It became an archiepiscopal seat in 1000, and during the Middle Ages was for a time the residence of the Polish kings, who were crowned here until 1320. The archbishops of Gnesen were primates of the realm and acted as vicars during the frequent interregnums. Population, in 1890, 18,088; in 1900, 21,693, one-half being Poles.