On April 19, 1346, at the castle in Brześć Kujawski, King Casimir III the Great granted Bydgoszcz its city rights. The settlement of Bydgoszcz had existed much earlier, but the granting of municipal rights gave it political significance.

This took place during the period of the first Polish–Teutonic wars, in which Bydgoszcz held strategic importance due to its location. The ruler is often associated with the city, which seems reasonable, as King Casimir III came from the Kuyavia region. In the founding charter, the city was named Kunigesburg, meaning “the king’s town,” which may indicate the ruler’s particular favor toward Bydgoszcz.

It was at the castle built by order of Casimir III—later heavily damaged during the wars with Sweden in the 18th century and eventually demolished during the Prussian partition – that these developments unfolded. The city rights were granted under Magdeburg law, and its administration was entrusted to two Germans, which in turn highlights the significant role of the German element in the history of Bydgoszcz.

On Wednesday, April 22, a ceremonial anniversary session of the Bydgoszcz City Council will take place in the new building of the Academy of Music.