Kórnik is a town known for the Działyński Castle, which was a mainstay of Polishness during the partitions. Today it houses a museum and a library founded in 1828 with valuable writing collections. The city can also boast one of the largest arboretums in Poland.
The city currently consists of two former centers: Kórnik and Bnin. They have medieval roots and were private towns from their beginnings. Kórnik has always been larger and better developed, with the greatest period of development when it was owned by the Działyński family.
The Działyński family bought Kórnik in the mid-17th century and began its reconstruction. They also supported local trade and merchants, thanks to which the city grew rich. They also rebuilt the local gothic castle, first into a baroque residence, and in the nineteenth century into a neo-gothic palace modeled on defensive structures. In the 19th century, the property was owned by Tytus Działyński, a social activist and promoter of Polishness. In the Castle in Kórnik, he created a library whose collections can be admired to this day. He also collected souvenirs related to history, numismatic items and knick-knacks on the basis of which the collection of the castle museum was created.
Another important attraction of Kórnik is the Arboretum founded by Działyński. It has the character of an English park with rich collections of azaleas, rhododendrons and conifers from all over the world. Among the monuments of the city are also the neo-Gothic church of All Saints and the former Town Hall in Bnin.
