EN
Photoluminescence and electron paramagnetic resonance experiments on strain free GaN bulk crystals of wurtzite structure doped with gadolinium are reported. Efficient gettering of residual GaN donors by Gd was observed. Electron paramagnetic resonance showed that Gd ion incorporated into GaN lattice had Gd^{3+}(4f^7) configuration. The observed photoluminescence spectra were explained as due to intracenter Gd^{3+}(4f^7) transitions. No ferromagnetic behavior was detected.