Poznan Favorites

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Favorite thing: Most of Poznan's main sights are beautifully illuminated at night.

Among them are of course most buildings on the Old Market Square, like the Old Town Hall and the Dzialynski Palace.

Other worth seeing buildings at night include the Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul, the Imperial Castle and the University Aula.

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Favorite thing: The Citadel Park (Park Cytadela) is Poznan's largest park.

It is situated north of the city centre and can be reached in about 20 minutes on foot or by several tram lines (e.g. #3, #4, #10).

If entering the Citadel Park from the south (al. Niepodleglosci), you will see a grand staircase leading to a Soviet Obelisk. It is dedicated to the Red Army soldiers who were killed during the 1945 siege.

You can also visit several cemeteries for Polish, British and Soviet soldiers in this area of the park. The Commonwealth cemetery is even the resting place of some people who were captured during "The Great Escape", a well known prisoner escape from a PoW camp in Zagan.

The park is home to the ruins of the Winiary Fortress which was built by the Prussians in the early 19th century and which was destroyed during the siege of Poznan in 1945.

The Museum of Arms is also located in the park. It exhibits a wide range of militaria documents, as well as several tanks, planes and other vehicles in the outdoor area, many of which can be seen even when not visiting the museum.

Many sculptures can be found all over the park, with the Headless Figures Scupture being probably the most popular one. It consists of 112 two metre tall headless figures made of cast iron. It was unveiled during Poznan's 750th anniversairy in 2002.

Favorite thing: Poznan is home to the largest trade fair area in Poland.

The trade fair tradition of the city even goes back to the middle of the 13th century.

The 1st Poznan Fair on the current grounds was organised in 1921. Nowadays more than 40 fairs, shows and events are held here.

Poznan's fair grounds are situated about 1,5 km west of the city centre, just in between the streets ul. Glogowska, ul Grunwaldzka and ul Sniadeckich.

Website: http://www.mtp.pl/

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Favorite thing: The Stary Rynek is the central square of the city and probably the starting point of every sightseeing tour. It was established in the middle of the 13th century.

I have listed its main buildings under "Things to do". Other interesting sights include:

The corners of the Old Market square are home to four fountains representing Apollo, Poseidon, Mars and the kidnapping of Prosperine.

The City Scale (Waga miejska) can be found behind the Old Town Hall. It was the building where all goods to be sold on the market had to be weighted.

Just in front of the Old Town Hall stands the Pilory, dating from 1535. On its top stands a statue of the executioner of Poznan who holds a sword.

The house no. 78 at the western frontage of the square is the Dzialynski Palace which was constructed in the late 1770's. The classicist facade is topped by a sculpture of a pelican.

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Favorite thing: Poznan is home to numerous churches. I have listed many of the ones we visited in the "Things to do" section.

Beside these, we also came across the following worth mentioning churches:

The Jesuit Church is also called the Church of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and Our Lady of Consolation. Its present appearnce dates back to the early 18th century. The church stands at the street ul. Szewska 18.

The Church of St. John of Jerusalem can be found at the northwestern end of the Lake Malta. Its history dates back to the 12th century and it is therefore Poznan's second oldest church.

The St. Martin Church was first mentioned in a document from 1244. It is therefore one of the oldest parish churches in Poznan, but unfortunatly it suffered the most damages during WWII. The church is situated southwest of the Stary Rynek at ul. Sw. Marcin 13.

The All Saints Church was erected at the street ul. Grobla as an evangelic church between 1777 and 1787. It features elements of Late Baroque as well as Neoclassical style.

The history of the Saint Mary Church dates back to the 13th century. It was damaged several times over the centuries. The church is located at the crossing of the streets Wroniecka and Masztalarska.

Favorite thing: There are quite a few churches in Poznan, here's a list:
1: Church of St. John of Jerusalem Beyond the Walls
2: Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul
3: Poznan Collegiate Church (Parish Church) - Church of St. Stanislaus the Bishop and the Martyr
4: Church of St. Anthony of Padua
5: Church of Corpus Christi
6: Church of St. Francis of Assisi
7: St. Joseph's Church
8: Church of St. Margaret the Virgin and the Martyr
9: St. Martin's Church
10: Church of the Most Sacred Heart and Our Lady of Consolation (Jesuits)
11: Church of the Holy Saviour
12: Church of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus
13: Church of Saint Mary the Virgin in Summo
14: Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary
15: St. Adalbert's Church
16: All Saints Church

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Favorite thing: Malta is a lake in the city and recreational/sport centre with a same name is located on this lake. It is fantastic and amazing place for active or quiet spending time. Water sports - kayaking or see competitions of it. Nearbe hill is situated - it is used for bobsled - that you can do also in summer. Ofcourse Malta has also a beach, place for swimming and sunbathing. Area is beautifully decorated. There are playing places for chidren - climbing frames etc; open-air cafes with a Poznan beer LECH; cinema on open air.

It is magic.

Favorite thing: Bernardine church is situated on Garbary street very close to old town. Baroque church with two towers impressively consorts with interesting buildings around. Thanks Jan Steyner from Leszno in 1730 church got its today appearance. At that time fascade was underbuilt.