Poznan is most famous internationally for the numerous trade fairs which have been held here since the 1920s. And indeed the majority of foreign visitors are in the city on business rather than pleasure. This should not discourage curious tourists however, as Poznan also has a high student population which helps to explain its busy nightlife and vibrant culture. Like every Polish city Poznan has a long rich history meaning there are many museums and architectural wonders. Many people consider Poznan’s Old Town the most beautiful of any city in Poland.

Sightseeing

• Old Market Square and the adjacent streets are one of the most interesting places to visit in Poznan. Here you can see, among others: the pearl of Renaissance architecture – the town hall, and the clock with the famous Poznan goats, which come into contact horns at noon. Attractions complement the colorful houses surrounding the market with cafes, fountains, museums and monuments.

• Fountain of Mars – in the corners of the Poznań market since the Middle Ages operated four wells. With time, in their place erected a fountain. Fountain of Mars was unveiled last. It was designed by Rafael Nowak

• Proserpine Fountain – this famous monument of landscape architecture Poznan is the oldest fountain (1776) standing out in the Old Market. Referring to the mythology of rococo sculpture, made in 1766 by Augustine Schöps, shows a scene of abduction of Proserpine. Four bas-reliefs on the walls of the pool symbolize the elements: fire, air, water and earth.

• Fountain of Poseidon – is the place where the sixteenth to the nineteenth century was well. Was unveiled in 2004. The designer is a performer Adam Piasek sculptures Marcin Sobczak.

• Fountain of Apollo – is in place, where since the Middle Ages to the nineteenth century was a well supplying the inhabitants with water. It was unveiled in 2002. The creator of the fountain is Marian Konieczny

• Cathedral(Street Cathedral Island) Cathedral Basilica, dedicated to Saints Peter and Paul is the oldest monument of the city. Its origins date back to the creation of the bishopric in 968 in Poznan. In 1962, Pope John XXIII gave the church the title of Minor Basilica. It was rebuilt many times in different architectural styles. Until 1945, the classical Baroque facade, after World War II and rebuilt in the Gothic style, with preserved relics of the early-Romanesque and Romanesque in underground crypts. A large part of the existing equipment of the cathedral came to her after the war, the churches of Lower Silesia, including the Gothic altar, dating from the mountains of Silesia. The main body of the temple is surrounded by a wreath of 12 chapels. The most valuable of these is the Golden Chapel, founded in the 30s Nineteenth century by Count Edward Raczynski. Cathedral is the burial place of King Premysl II, according to tradition, the Mieszko I and Boleslaw.

• Parish Church in Poznan, is one of the most monumental Baroque churches in the country. It was built in the seventeenth century by the Jesuits. Inside a very richly decorated with sculptures, stucco and painting. On the vault of the nave beautiful murals with scenes from the life of St. Stanislaus and illusionistic painting. It is also hard to resist the charm of the rococo tabernacle, made of silver-plated and gilded copper sheets. After the suppression of the Jesuits in 1773, the church handed Collegiate Chapter, and since then it has been a major temple town.

• Adam Mickiewicz monument is located at the Adam Mickiewicz Square. On the granite pedestal stands a figure holding a book of divination. Reliefs on the pedestal illustrated works of Mickiewicz – Konrad Wallenrod and Grazyna. The monument was unveiled in 1960.

• Wielkopolska Uprising Monument-located at the intersection of Królowej Jadwigi street and . Wierzbięcice. The memorial commemorates the military action during the Greater Poland Uprising 1918-1919. Made and designed by Alfred Wisniewski, unveiled in 1965. The monument consists of two insurgents – an officer with a sword and a private with a rifle, and an obelisk.

• Polish Theatre is a building built in the second half of the nineteenth century, designed by Stanisław Hebanowski. After many years of efforts in the Prussian invaders, and by involving the whole group of people, became a symbol of the struggle for Polish identity during the Prussian repression of Germanization policy. The building was funded entirely by voluntary contributions from residents of Greater Poland, Galicia and Pomerania.

• Wielkopolska Uprising Museum presents a collection of memorabilia and documents from the period of the Wielkopolska Uprising of 1918-1919. It is one of the branches of the Wielkopolska Museum of the Struggle for Independence. The exhibition shows the history of the Wielkopolska Uprising, his commanders and soldiers as well as numerous exhibits from the time of the creation of such uniforms, weapons, historical memorabilia, medals and decorations, graphics, pictures, and documents and books on topics independence, newspapers, pictures, photo from that era, and cinematography. The museum has thousands thematic library, books related to the history of patriotism Wielkopolska.

• Royal Castle in Poznań – the oldest surviving royal residence in Poland. Erected by Premysl II, then repeatedly extended. In times of Casimir III the largest secular building in the Kingdom. The castle has witnessed many historical events. In 1493, there by the King of Poland paid homage to the Grand Master of the Teutonic Hans von Tieffen. The castle was partially destroyed during the Northern War, has since rebuilt only residually. Currently, efforts are aimed at restoring the south.

• Neoclassical Raczynski Library (1821-1928).’s City of Poznan – built between 1822-1828 according to the idea and the money of Count Edward Raczynski. The project has developed a Roman architect – unknown name. or French: Ch. Percier and P. F. Fontaine. The front facade is modeled on the Paris Louvre.

• Grand Theater – Opera – Opera House of Poznan is an example used in architecture, classical patterns derived from ancient Rome and also the valuable architectural attraction of the city. The façade of the building is a large portico with six Ionic columns, bare triangular tympanum. To enter into the interior to be overcome monumental staircase, which the sides are limited by the interesting sculptures. On the left is a woman on a lion, and the right-hand man from reaching for the lioness. Inside you can admire the beautifully decorated room drama.

• Poznań Palm House is the largest in the country and one of Europe’s largest artificial tropical vegetation communities. At nearly five thousand square meters, we can see more than 1100 species of plants and 37 water aquariums and 170 species of fish and 50 species of aquatic plants.

• The best combination of art and business – in Poznan at the intersection of Kosciuszko and Półwiejska is a large object, which, although had already gained a new reputation as one of the biggest attractions. Its official name is Trade Center, Arts and Business Old Brewery. They called him the best mid-size shopping mall in the world (2005) and “The Best Of The Best 1989-2006” among commercial buildings in Central and Eastern Europe.

History and Geography

Poznan is the administrative capital of the Greater Poland Voivodeship, or Wielkopolska Province. The city is located roughly half-way between Warsaw and Berlin, in central-western Poland. With a population of just under 600,000 Poznan is Poland’s fifth-largest city.

Poznan has a history dating back more than 1000 years, making it one of the oldest cities in Poland.

• Ostrów Tumski (Cathedral Island) marks the first area of settlement in Poznan. In 1968 the first Polish bishopric and cathedral were founded here. The Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter and St. Paul remains to this day.
• In 1025 Boleslaus the Brave was crowned the first king of the Kingdom of Poland. He is buried along with other early Polish monarchs in the Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter and St. Paul.
• In 1138 Poznan became capital of the Greater Poland division (or voivodeship as it is today). In 1295 following the unification of the division of Poland, Poznan assumed an important role in the political, economical, and academic fields of Poland.
• In 1519 the Lubrański Academy was founded, making it the second higher education institution in Poland.
• Following the so-called ‘Golden Age’ of the 16th century, Poznan saw a significant decline in population and economic stature after the Swedish invasion of 1655.
• In 1793 the Second Partition of Poland saw Poznan fall to the Kingdom of Prussia. It was made capital of the province of South Prussia. During the Napoleonic Wars, and particularly after the Greater Poland Uprising of 1806 Poznan became a part of the Warsaw from 1807 to 1815.
• In 1815 Poznan was returned to Prussia, this time as capital of the Grand Duchy of Posen.
• Following the unification of German states in 1871 Poznan became part of the German Empire.
• The Great Poland Uprising of 1918-19 led to the liberation of Poznan, which became the capital of the Poznan Voivodeship.
• Poznan suffered from German occupation during World War II, which lasted until January 1945 when the Red Army besieged the German troops.
• In 1999 Poznan was made capital of the Greater Poland Voivodeship (Wielkopolska), which it remains to this day.