# Congress of Gniezno (1000)

URL: https://poland-history.com/timeline/1000-congress-of-gniezno
Location: Gniezno
Categories: main-event

Emperor Otto III made a pilgrimage to St Adalbert's tomb and met Bolesław I. An archbishopric was founded in Gniezno with bishoprics in Kraków, Wrocław and Kołobrzeg, making the Polish Church independent of German metropolitans. Within the broader Piast Monarchy period: Under Mieszko I and his successors the Piast state accepted Christianity, gained its own church province and royal crown, and fought to hold its place between the Holy Roman Empire, Bohemia and Kievan Rus'. At this point in the timeline (11 March 1000), the governing authority was Bolesław I the Brave (Duke, later King of Poland). Expanded the Piast realm, secured an independent archbishopric at Gniezno in 1000 and was crowned the first King of Poland in 1025. Congress of Gniezno mattered because religion shaped Polish identity, culture and the country's place in Europe. The event is placed here so readers can follow it alongside changes in government, warfare, society, religion and culture across Polish history.

## Why it matters
Congress of Gniezno mattered because religion shaped Polish identity, culture and the country's place in Europe.

Ruler at the time: [Bolesław I the Brave](https://poland-history.com/rulers/boleslaw-i-the-brave)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — Congress of Gniezno](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Congress_of_Gniezno)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — Congress of Gniezno](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Congress+of+Gniezno)
- [Wikipedia — History of Poland during the Piast dynasty (period overview)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Poland_during_the_Piast_dynasty)