Settlement in Biskupin. An archaeological stronghold of the Iron Age. Sightseeing, access, prices

• The settlement in Biskupin is a reconstruction of a prehistoric castle from around 700 BC, located on the peninsula of Lake Biskupin.
• Entrance tickets to the Archaeological Museum are valid. A normal ticket is PLN 27.
• Children will certainly be delighted to see how the former inhabitants of the castle lived.
• The parking lot by the bulkhead is free of charge.

The settlement in Biskupin is one of the most important archaeological sites in Poland, which takes us back in time to the early Iron Age. Located on the peninsula of Lake Biskupin, the castle in Biskupin is a unique attraction on the Piast Route, attracting many tourists. The Archaeological Museum was established on its premises.

Biskupin route - how to get there and explore?

How to get to Biskupin?

Biskupin is located on route No. 5 from Poznań to Bydgoszcz, which makes it easily accessible to tourists. Getting there by car is the most convenient, but you can also use public transport. There is a free car park by the settlement. An interesting option is to drive through Ciuchcja Żnińska, which runs in the summer season.

Price list of the Archaeological Museum in Biskupin

The Archaeological Museum in Biskupin is open all year round. In the summer season (from May to October), the museum is open from 9:00 to 18:00, and in the off-season from 9:00 to 16:00. In April and October, the tour ends at 17:00.

Ticket prices for admission to the museum are PLN 26 for adults and PLN 17 for children and youth. It is worth booking at least a few hours to get acquainted with the history and culture of Biskupin. Here you will find the official, detailed price list

Castle in Biskupin

The oldest traces of settlement found in Biskupin date back to 10,000 BC, but the stronghold settlement of the swamp type from the early Iron Age enjoys the greatest interest. It was inhabited by the Proto-Slavic population of the Lusatian culture.

The settlement, a reconstructed fragment of which is available to tourists today, was probably established around 700 BC. It was an oval settlement founded on a small island, surrounded by a wooden and ground defensive rampart about 6 m high, above which a guard tower with an entrance gate towered.

Near this gate was the main square - a place of meetings and fairs. On the inside of the embankments there was a circular street, and with 12 parallel streets in 13 rows there were about 100 wooden huts of equal size. All buildings in one row were covered with a common roof covered with a reed. Their entrances were directed to the south, and the interior of the houses was divided into two parts - the main chamber with a hearth and a bed for the whole family and a vestibule for animals.

About 600-800 inhabitants lived in the Biskupin stronghold, who were mainly engaged in farming, animal husbandry and crafts - weaving, pottery, bronze and iron castings, but also hunting, fishing and gathering. In addition, horses, cattle, goats, sheep, pigs were bred, there were also dogs in the pens.

Map of the settlement in Biskupin

Below, we also leave a map of the Bishop's Castle.

History of the discovery of the settlement in Biskupin

Fragments of a prehistoric castle in 1932 were accidentally found here by a local teacher - Walenty Szwajcer. In 1934, the first archaeological excavations began, which quickly revealed the existence of a prehistoric settlement. 

After the war, archaeological works continued here, as a result of which in 1950 the excavation area was considered a museum, and at the same time an extremely valuable area of research. Thanks to the discovery in Biskupin, archaeologists were able to better understand what life in ancient Poland looked like. Archaeological finds, such as tools, weapons, ornaments and fragments of buildings, allowed to recreate the image of everyday life of the inhabitants of the castle.

Archaeological Festival

For several decades, in September, the Museum has been organizing an extremely interesting Archaeological Festival in the town of Biskupin. It lasts about a week. During the Festival there are interesting shows, you can also see works of craftsmen and interesting thematic exhibitions. The animators also run competitions for children and young people. There are also lectures, because it is also an event set in history. Every year, the Festival is guided by the motto, e.g. "Poland of Piasts" or "Stone, Bronze, Iron".

Lake Biskupinskie

After visiting the castle, it is worth taking a walk around Lake Biskupin, which adds charm to this place. Often, especially during the Archaeological Festival, you can take a boat trip here, enjoying beautiful views and relaxing in the bosom of nature. It lies on the historic Palukas, in the Gniezno Lake District, near Żnin, connected to Lake Skrzynka. On the opposite shore of the lake there are the ruins of a castle in Venice and the Narrow Gauge Railway Museum in Venice.

Attractions Pałuk

The whole of Pałuki is a picturesque land rich in forests, lakes and numerous monuments, stretching between Wielkopolska, Pomerania and Kujawy. The Piast Route runs here, connecting Żnin, Venice, Biskupin and Gąsawa. A section of this trail can be visited by a narrow-gauge railway, popularly called Ciuchcia Żnińska, which passes by Lake Biskupińskie, near the reconstructed Proto-Slavic settlement.

Accommodation

Here you will find a wide selection of accommodations. By booking your stay on Booking.com through our link, you support the development of our blog — and we thank you in advance! It helps us reach many interesting places that we later love to show you and share our experiences and information with you.

Practical information

Open May-September:  9.00-18.00, November-March: 9.00-16.00, April, October: 9.00-17.00
Regular ticket PLN 27, reduced ticket PLN 18. Children up to 7 years of age free admission. 
Family and group discounts are available.

Castle in Biskupin - Archaeological Museum
Biskupin 17, Gąsawa
tel. 52/302-50-55
www.biskupin.pl

Rent a car

Exploring becomes much easier when you have your own means of transport. You don’t have to worry about buses or taxis, and you can plan each day your way. The search box below will help you find the right car – right where your journey begins.

What's worth seeing in the area?

You don't have to travel far to find more interesting places. Within a radius of 100 kilometers, there are many attractions waiting for you that will certainly enrich your stay Your trip with additional memories.

• Inowrocław, distance: 33  km
• Bydgoszcz, distance: 40.8  km
• Toruń, distance: 62.8  km
• Poznań, distance: 69.2  km
• Chełmno, distance: 77.1  km