Poznań

Visit Poznań!

Poznań is the capital city of the Greater Poland voivodeship in Poland. With a population of over 500,000 people, it is the fifth-largest city in the country. It is known for its beautiful architecture, the mechanical goats at the City Hall, the first cathedral in Poland, the history of a victorious uprising in 1918 and the protests of 1956, as well as Poznań academic institutions, including Adam Mickiewicz University.

The beginnings

The early days of Poznań date back to the 10^th century. Civil rights were granted to Poznań in 1253. It is also believed that the turning point in the Christianization of Polish peoples, namely Mieszko I’s baptism in 966, may have happened in Poznań, making the city a possible cradle of Poland as a country. In the following centuries Poznań experienced both growth and challenges posed by the fluctuating political situation in the country and in Europe.

Old Town Square – Stary Rynek

Poznań was severely damaged during World War II, especially the Town Square (Stary Rynek). The City Hall is an architectural Renaissance gem of the city, originally designed by an Italian architect, Giovanni Batista Quadro. Due to the historical and cultural significance of the project, the Town Square was meticulously reconstructed after the war and can be admired to this day. In recent years, it underwent renovations, including new paving.  To this day it remains one of the most important parts of the city.

Today

Today, the city is an important location on the map of Europe, prospering both in economy and social life. After years of post-war reconstructions, as well as recent renovations, the city is a vibrant place worth visiting. It regularly organizes international fairs, as well as such cultural events as Pyrkon (a major fantasy convention), St. Martin’s Day Parade, as well as festivities connected to the Poznań patron saints’ day.

Places worth visiting

When visiting Poznań, tourists can choose from a wide range of museums and other attractions in the city and around it, including:

• The National Museum of Poznań
• Museum of Applied Arts (Castle of Przemysł II)
• The Ethnographic Museum
• The Town Hall and the Poznań goats
• The Museum of the Poznań Uprising of 1956
• Henryk Sienkiewicz Literary Museum
• Poznan Croissant Museum and Experience
• Poznań Palm House
• The Archcathedral
• Rogalin Palace
• Gniezno Cathedral