Gniezno
Cathedral in Gniezno
Coat of arms
Gniezno
Coordinates: 52°32′N 17°36′E / 52.533°N 17.6°E / 52.533; 17.6
Country	Poland
Voivodeship	Greater Poland
County	Gniezno County
Gmina	Gniezno (urban gmina)
Established	8th century
Town rights	1239
Government
• Mayor	Jacek Kowalski
Area
• Total	49 km2 (19 sq mi)
Population (2006)
• Total	70,080
• Density	1,400/km2 (3,700/sq mi)
Time zone	CET (UTC+1)
• Summer (DST)	CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code	62-200 to 62-210
Area code(s)	+48 61
Car plates	PGN
Website	http://www.um.gniezno.pl

Statue of Bolesław I the Brave in Gniezno

Gniezno [ˈɡɲeznɔ] ( listen) (German: Gnesen) is a city in central-western Poland, some 50 km east of Poznań, inhabited by about 70,000 people. One of the Piasts' chief cities, it was mentioned by 10th century A.D. sources as the capital of Piast Poland (in Dagome Iudex) however the first capital of Piast realm was most likely Giecz built around 840s A.D. Its Roman Catholic archbishop, the Archbishop of Gniezno, is the Primate of Poland. These historical facts make its position in Polish history similar to Canterbury or Rheims.

Gniezno is located in the Greater Poland Voivodeship (since 1999), previously in Poznań Voivodeship. The city is the administrative capital of the Gniezno County (powiat).

History[link]

There are archaeological traces of human settlement since the late Paleolithic. Early Slavonic settlements on the Lech Hill and the Maiden Hill are dated to 8th century.^[1] At the beginning of the 10th century this was the site of several places sacred to the Slavic religion. The ducal stronghold was founded just before AD 940 on the Lech Hill, and surrounded with some fortified suburbs and open settlements.

Legend of Lech, Czech and Rus[link]

According to the Polish version of legends: three brothers Lech, Czech and Rus were exploring the wilderness to find a place to settle. Suddenly they saw a hill with an old oak and an eagle on top. Lech said: this white eagle I will adopt as an emblem of my people, and around this oak I will build my stronghold, and because of the eagle nest [Polish: gniazdo].^[1] I will call it Gniezdno [modern: Gniezno]. The other brothers went further on to find a place for their people. Czech went to the South (to found the Czech Lands) and Rus went to the East (to create Rus' (region)).

Cradle of the Polish state[link]

Around 940 AD Gniezno, being an important pagan cult center, became one of the main fortresses of the early Piast rulers, along with aforementioned fortresses at Giecz, Kruszwica, Poznań, Kalisz, Łęczyca, Ostrów Lednicki, Płock, Włocławek others. Mieszko I might have moved the capital to Gniezno from Poznań after his own and his realm's baptism, but actual move of the capital to Gniezno might have coincided with a growing German menace of the late 10th century and early 11th century depositing the remains of Saint Adalbert in a newly built church, to underline Gniezno's importance as the religious centre and capital of Bolesław I Chrobry's kingdom.

Congress of Gniezno[link]

It is here that the Congress of Gniezno took place in the year 1000 AD, during which Bolesław I the Brave, Duke of Poland, received Holy Roman Emperor Otto III.^[2] The emperor and the Polish duke celebrated the foundation of the Polish ecclesiastical province (archbishopric) in Gniezno, with newly established bishopric in Kołobrzeg for Pomerania; Wrocław for Silesia; Kraków for Lesser Poland and later also already existing since 968 bishopric in Poznań for western Greater Poland.

Royal coronation site[link]

The 10th century Gniezno cathedral witnessed royal coronations of Bolesław I in 1024 and his son Mieszko II Lambert in 1025.^[1] The cities of Gniezno and nearby Poznań were captured, plundered and destroyed in 1038 by the Bohemian duke Bretislav I, which pushed the next Polish rulers to move the Polish capital to Kraków.^[1] The archiepiscopal cathedral was reconstructed by the next ruler, Bolesław II the Generous, who was crowned king here in 1076.

In the next centuries Gniezno evolved as a regional seat of the eastern part of Greater Poland, and in 1238 municipal autonomy was granted by the duke Władysław Odonic. Gniezno was again the coronation site in 1295 and 1300.

Regional site of Greater Poland[link]

The city was destroyed again by the Teutonic Knights' invasion in 1331, and after an administrative reform became a county within the Kalisz Voivodeship (since the 14th century till 1768). Gniezno was hit by heavy fires in 1515, 1613, was destroyed during the Swedish invasion wars of the 17th-18th centuries and by a plague in 1708-1710. All this caused depopulation and economic decline, but the city was soon revived during the 18th century to become the Gniezno Voivodeship in 1768.

Prussia[link]

Gniezno was annexed by the Kingdom of Prussia in the 1793 Second Partition of Poland and became part of the province of South Prussia. During the Kościuszko Uprising Polish army under general Jan Henryk Dąbrowski liberated^[3] the town in September 1794 and defeated a Prussian Army north of Gniezno near Łabiszyn. During the Napoleonic Wars an uprising against Prussian rule happened. French appeared in Gniezno in November 1806, and following general Jan Henryk Dabrowski's order issued to all town and cities and country property owners to provide recruits for the organizing Polish forces, Gniezno initially provided 60 recruits who participated in the battles of 1806-07.^[4] Consequently the town was included within the Duchy of Warsaw, but upon defeat of Napoleon in Russian in 1812 was occupied by the Russian army and was returned to Prussia in the 1815 Congress of Vienna. Gniezno was subsequently governed within Kreis Gnesen of the Grand Duchy of Posen and the later Province of Posen. Following the Greater Poland Uprising (1918–1919) and the Treaty of Versailles Gniezno became part of the Second Polish Republic. Its citizen-soldiers joined the Polish army fighting the Bolsheviks during the Polish–Soviet War.^[5]

World War II[link]

Gniezno was annexed into Nazi Germany on 26 October 1939 after the invasion of Poland and made part of Reichsgau Wartheland. The town was occupied by the Red Army in January 1945 and restored to Poland.

Archbishops of Gniezno[link]

Gniezno's Roman Catholic archbishop is traditionally the Primate of Poland (Prymas Polski). After the partitions of Poland the see was often combined with others, first with Poznań and then with Warsaw. In 1992 Pope John Paul II reorganized the Polish hierarchy and the city once again had a separate bishop. Cardinal Józef Glemp, who had been archbishop of Gniezno and Warsaw and retained Warsaw, was designated to remain Primate until his retirement, but afterward the Archbishop of Gniezno, at present Henryk Muszyński, would again be Primate of Poland.

Royal coronations in Gniezno cathedral[link]

Panorama of Gniezno. 19th century

• 25 December 1024 - Bolesław I the Brave
• 25 December 1025 - Mieszko II Lambert and his wife Richensa of Lotharingia
• 25 December 1076 - Bolesław the Generous and his wife Wyszesława of Kiev
• 26 June 1295 - Przemysł II and his wife Margaret of Brandenburg
• August 1300 - Wenceslaus II of Bohemia

People from Gniezno[link]

Gniezno Cathedral

• Hermann Senator (1834–1911), German physician
• Jacob Caro (1836–1904), German historian
• Ludwik Ćwikliński (1853–1942), Polish classical philologist
• Günther Pancke (1889–1973), German SS - General
• Heinz Reinefarth (1903–1979), German SS - General
• Alfons Flinik (1926–2003), Polish field hockey player
• Paweł Arndt (* 1954), Polish politician
• Arkadiusz Radomski (* 1977), Polish footballer

Education[link]

• Collegium Europaeum Gnesnense (part of Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań)
• The Gniezno School of Humanism and Management - Millennium (Gnieźnieńska Wyższa Szkoła Humanistyczno-Menedżerska Millennium)
• The Archbishop's Ecclesiastical Seminary (Prymasowskie Wyższe Seminarium Duchowne)
• The State Vocational College in Gniezno (Państwowa Wyższa Szkoła Zawodowa)

Arts and culture[link]

• Aleksander Fredro Theatre (Teatr im. A. Fredry)
• Museum of the Polish State Origins (Muzeum Początków Państwa Polskiego)
• Museum of Archdiocese (Muzeum Archidiecezji Gnieźnieńskiej)

Twin towns — sister cities[link]

Gniezno is twinned with:

• Anagni, Italy
• Esztergom, Hungary
• Falkenberg, Sweden
• Saint-Malo, France
• Sergiyev Posad, Russia
• Speyer, Germany
• Radviliškis, Lithuania
• Uman, Ukraine
• Veendam, Netherlands

Gallery[link]

View of Old Gniezno from Jelonek Lake   Gniezno Cathedral   Bernard Maciejowski   Codex Aureus Gnesnensis   Gniezno Doors   Saint George's Church in Gniezno

See also[link]

• Gniezno Cathedral
• History of Poland
• Adalbert of Prague
• Royal coronations in Gniezno cathedral
• Gniezno Doors
• Archdiocese of Gniezno

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Gniezno

Wikisource has several original texts related to: Gniezno

• Gniezno homepage (English and German version also available), The official site of the Gniezno City's Administration, from which much of the above was taken and adapted.
• Gniezno Poviat The official site of the Gniezno County, (English, German, Spanish, French, Italian and Russian version also available)

Coordinates: 52°33′N 17°36′E / 52.55°N 17.6°E / 52.55; 17.6

v t e Gminas of Gniezno County Seat Gniezno (urban gmina) Urban-rural gminas Gmina Czerniejewo Gmina Kłecko Gmina Trzemeszno Gmina Witkowo Rural gminas Gmina Gniezno Gmina Kiszkowo Gmina Łubowo Gmina Mieleszyn Gmina Niechanowo

v t e Gmina Gniezno Seat (not part of the gmina) Gniezno Villages Braciszewo Dalki Dębówiec Ganina Goślinowo Jankowo Dolne Kalina Krzyszczewo Łabiszynek Lubochnia Lulkowo Mączniki Mnichowo Modliszewko Modliszewo Napoleonowo Obora Obórka Osiniec Piekary Pyszczyn Pyszczynek Skiereszewo Strzyżewo Kościelne Strzyżewo Paczkowe Strzyżewo Smykowe Szczytniki Duchowne Wełnica Wierzbiczany Wola Skorzęcka Zdziechowa

Jerry Ropero (born May 10) is a German born Spanish house music DJ and producer.

Career[link]

Early career[link]

Ropero's career began in the 90's in Belgium, when he joined the group Natural Born Grooves. He released his first two tracks under his own name, "All Over" and "Drive", in 1996.^[1] His earliest mainstream success came in 1999, when he released, together with DJ Maui and Terri Bjerre - known together as Avant Garde, the track Get Down, which peaked at position 12 in Billboard's Hot Dance Club Play chart, and stayed on that chart for 13 weeks.^[2] The group released their second single two years later, in 2001, titled "Don't Stop", which didn't achieve the same success as the group's debut. Later in 2004 they released a maxi single titled "Get Down (Again)" containing new remixes to their old classic.

After Avant Garde[link]

After Avant Garde, Ropero continued publishing music under his own name, releasing his music under several labels, most notably Positiva and Joia, but most of his work has been remixing for other artists, such as Danzel,^[3] Paps 'n' Skar,^[4] and Kate Ryan.^[5] Most of his mainstream success since Avant Garde has however resulted from collaborating with Denis The Menace, another German-born DJ/producer, under several different aliases (Michael Simon, JR & DTM, Avalanche, Clubworxx, among others), together producing remixes as well as their own material, such as Coração, Mombasa, and Time 2 Turn Around.^[6] Their work has been included on several compilations released by some of the biggest labels in the house scene, including Ministry of Sound^[7] and Hed Kandi.^[8]

Discography[link]

Singles[link]

• "All Over" (1996)
• "Drive" (1996)
• "Nite & Day" (2002)
• "Home Alone" (2006)
• "Ocean Drums" (2006)
• "The Storm" (featuring Cozi Costi) (2006)
• "Videoscream" (2006)
• "Berimbau" (2007)
• "Music" (2007)
• "Bangladesh" (2008)
• "Let Me Be Your Fantasy" (2008)
• "Organ of Love (Want Love)" (2008)

Remixes[link]

• Influence - Funky (Jerry Ropero & Jams Personal Edit) (1997)
• Groove Masters - Just A Little Bit (DJ Jams & Jerry Ropero X-Tended) (1997)
• Latin Thing - I Will Follow (Open Minds Club Vocal Mix) (1998)
• Spanic - Such Is Life (DJ Jams & Jerry Ropero Full Intention Mix) (1998)
• Negrocan - Cada Vez (Jerry Ropero's Avant Garde Remix) (2000)
• Kitch - Cosmic Distance (Jerry Ropero's Avantgarde Mix) (2000)
• Cherubia - Devil In Disguise (Jerry, Michael & Miko's Hard Dub Mix) (2000)
• Cherubia - Devil In Disguise (Jerry, Michael & Miko's Hard Vocal Mix) (2000)
• Cherubia - Devil In Disguise (Jerry, Michael & Miko's Full Vocal Mix) (2000)
• House Of Glass - Disco Down (J. Ropero & M. Simon Mix) (2000)
• Afterfive - Get Down (And Boogie) (Jerry Ropero's Avant Garde Remix) (2000)
• B-15 Project - Girls Like Us (J Ropero & M Simon Remix) (2000)
• Noname - Off (Jerry Ropero & Michael Simon 2nite Mix) (2000)
• Paps 'n' Skar - Turn Around (Jerry Ropero Club Mix) (2000)
• Paps 'n' Skar - Turn Around (Jerry Ropero Instrumental Club Mix) (2000)
• Onionz & Master D - TZ's Tango (Jerry Ropero's Avant Garde Mix) (2000)
• Orphean - My People (Jerry Ropero Mix) (2001)
• Dax Riders - People (Todd & Jerry Ropero Mix) (2001)
• Sound Of Pink - Everybody Knows... (Jerry Ropero & Timo Milewski Rmx) (2002)
• Sound Of Pink - Everybody Knows... (Avant Garde vs Sandro Sandrino Rmx) (2002)
• Giorgio - Tanga (Jerry Ropero & Sandrino Remix) (2002)
• Aguero - Malembe (Jerry Ropero & Sandro Sandrino Club Mix) (2003)
• DJ Antoine - Back & Forth (DJ Squad vs. Jerry Ropero Avantgarde 303 Mix) (2004)
• DJ Antoine - Back & Forth (DJ Squad vs. Jerry Ropero Avantgarde Mix) (2004)
• Avalanche - Everybody Sing (Jerry Ropero's Avant Garde Mix) (2004)
• Avant Garde - Get Down (Again) (Jerry Ropero's Avantgarde Mix) (2004)
• Mendoça Do Rio - Magalenha (Jerry Ropero's Avantgarde & Sandro Sandrino Mix) (2004)
• I.K.L. Vs. Amygdala - Paixao (Jerry Ropero's "Avantgarde" Mix) (2004)
• Danzel - Pump It Up! (Jerry Ropero & Dennis The Menace Remix) (2004)
• Raw Style - All Day And All Of The Night (Jerry Ropero Remix) (2005)
• Geraldo Feat. Dennis LeGree - Caribbean Queen (Jerry Ropero's Pumpin' Mix) (2005)
• Anneke van Hooff - Give (Jerry Ropero Mix) (2005)
• Jon Smith & Mark Wilcox Love Changes (Everything) (Jerry Ropero vs Supernova Dub Mix) (2005)
• Sweet Coffee - Special Kind Of Feeling (Jerry Ropero Remix) (2005)
• Oliver Backens & Stefan Günwald - Alive (Jerry Ropero Remix) (2006)
• Shapeshifters - Incredible (Denice The Mence & Jerry Ropero Dubmental Mix) (2006)
• Sami Dee & Freddy Jones vs. Crystal Waters - Gypsy Woman 2006 (La-Da-Dee) (Jerry Ropero Remix) (2006)
• Carnival - Not Over Yet (Jerry Ropero Remix) (2006)
• Big World Presents Swen G - Morning Light (Jerry Ropero Remix) (2006)
• Brainbug - Nightmare (The 2nd Chapter) (Jerry Ropero vs. Clubworxx Remix) (2006)
• TJM - Small Circle Of Friends (Jerry Ropero & Michael Simon Re-Broke Remix) (2006)
• TJM - Small Circle Of Friends (JR & MS Gramm In Package Remix) (2006)
• Wawa - Sunshine (Jerry Ropero Back To Basics Mix) (2006)
• Royal Gigolos - Tell It To My Heart (Jerry Ropero Remix) (2006)
• Funky Monkeys - The Beat Conductor (Jerry Ropero Remix) (2006)
• Patric La Funk - You Never Know (Jerry Ropero Remix) (2007)
• Bel Amour - Bel Amour 2007 (Jerry Ropero & Michael Simon Remix) (2007)
• Steve'n King - Bounce (Jerry Ropero vs. Michael Simon Remix) (2007)
• Tiësto Feat. BT - Break My Fall (Jerry Ropero vs NBG Afterhours Remix) (2007)
• Dada Feat. Sandy Rivera & Trix - Lollipop (Jerry Ropero Remix) (2007)
• Syke 'n' Sugarstarr - Danz (Jerry Ropero Remix) (2007)
• Natural Born Grooves - Groovebird (Jerry Ropero Remix) (2007)
• Terri B* Vs. Jerry Ropero - Hands To The Sky (Jerry Ropero Remix) (2007)
• Ian Carey Feat. Michelle Shellers - Keep On Rising (Jerry Ropero Remix) (2007)
• D.O.N.S & DBN Feat. Kadoc - The Nighttrain (Jerry Ropero Remix) (2007)
• Ernesto Vs. Bastian - Unchained Melody (Jerry Ropero Remix) (2007)
• Cafe Groove - Why You Wanna Do Me Wrong (Denis The Menace & Jerry Ropero's Club Mix) (2007)
• Michi Lange - Brothers And Sisters (Jerry Ropero Remix) (2008)
• Kate Ryan - Ella Elle L'a (Jerry Ropero Bigroom Remix) (2008)
• The House Keepers - Hangin' On (Jerry Ropero & Michi Lange Remix) (2008)
• Voltaxx & Lissat - House Music (Jerry Ropero Mix) (2008)
• Alexander Marcus - Papaya (Jerry Ropero & Michi Lange Remix) (2008)
• Nick Nite Vs. Tex Mex - Mexico (Keep Movin' Keep Groovin - Denis The Menace & Jerry Ropero Remix) (2008)
• Tom Novy Feat. Abigail Bailey - Runaway (Jerry Ropero Remix) (2008)
• Mike Di Scala & Colin Airey - Space & Time (Jerry Ropero Mix) (2008)
• Dance 2 Trance - Power Of American Natives 2009 (Jerry Ropero Mix) (2009)
• Dance 2 Trance - Power Of American Natives 2009 (Jerry Ropero Radio Version) (2009)

References[link]

External links[link]

• Jerry Ropero on Myspace
• Jerry Ropero at Discogs
• Interlabel Music