Miś Maciuś, Bronze bear monument in Gniew, Poland
Miś Maciuś is a small bronze sculpture standing on Sambora Street in Gniew. A boulder at its base features a bear paw imprint that complements the statue.
The sculpture recalls an old story from the period between 1626 and 1629, when the town experienced an unusual event during the conflict between Poland and Sweden. A legend tells that during a battle, St. Nicholas Church was visited by animals while residents went to fight.
Since 2010, this bronze bear serves as the official mascot of Gniew, wearing different outfits including chainmail, nobility attire, and firefighter costume.
The monument is easy to locate near the Garden of History, where you can learn more about the town. The location is walkable and provides a quiet spot to learn about local history.
Local tradition suggests visitors can hear bear growls when passing between the church walls and townhouses on Sambora Street.
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