Poznan

Poland’s 5th largest city, Poznan is a historical place that was the capital of Poland in the 10th century. The first Polish king, Boleslav the Brave was, according to legend, born at Lake Lednica near the city in the 10th century.

Steeped in antiquity, Poznan is home to many historical sites, such as Poland’s oldest cathedral, the Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter and St. Paul, the town hall dating back to 1300, and Poland’s second university, the Lubranski Academy, which was founded in 1519.

Today, Poznan is an important industrial centre, and also a hub for trade and education.

Attractions

The Cathedral Basilica was originally constructed in a Romanesque style, but today its exterior is Gothic. It houses the tombs of both Boleslav the Brave and his father Duke Mieszko.

The town hall is a magnificent example of Renaissance architecture, and is home to Poznan’s History Museum. Its most attractive feature is its front, with a 3-storey terrace having 3 turrets at the top. The National Museum houses an art gallery and many Polish and European sculptures.

The Old Market Square is the focal point of the city centre, and is in fact Poland’s 3rd largest public square. After World War 2 it lost much of its market feel and now plays host to banks, souvenir shops, restaurants, and bars.

Outside the city, Lednica Landscape Park is best known for being the supposed birthplace of Boleslav the Brave. The area has many remnants of settlements dating back to the Neolithic Age, and there are ruins of a chapel, palace, and other structures dating back to the 10th century.

Also on the outskirts of Poznan, Rogalin Landscape Park was established in 1997 to protect one of the highest concentrations of centuries-old oak trees in Europe, as well as many backwaters. Some of the Rogalin oaks are 600 years old, and as well as its trees the park is home to many species of birds and fish.

Shopping

The Stary Browar shopping centre is a glitzy new mall in the town centre that offers shoppers a wealth of branded goods. It was converted into a shopping centre from an old brewery, and also contains a number of cafés and even a piano bar.

For tourist souvenirs, the best shops are found in the Old Market Square.

Nightlife and Eating Out

The Old Market Square has a number of pubs and restaurants offering good Polish cuisine, such as red beetroot soup and filled crepes. An authentic dish from Poznan is potatoes and cottage cheese. It is easy to find European cuisine too.

The square also has a lot of bars, which in the summer set up beer gardens, creating a festive atmosphere. Also worth a look is ul. Nowowiejskiego, as it is the best place for student-type bars. No matter what time the official closing time is, Poznan’s bars and clubs are flexible and will often stay open until the last customer has left.

Tourist Information

• Address: Tourist Information Centre, Stary Rynek 59/60, 61-772 Poznan
• Telephone: +48 61 852 6156
• Website: www.city.poznan.pl

Airport

Poznan’s airport is situated 7 km outside the city centre. It is served by a small number of European airlines, including low-cost carriers Ryanair and Wizzair. Another option would be to fly into Berlin or Warsaw, and then catch a train to Poznan, which will take 3 hours from either city.