The small city of Poznan was the first capital of Poland, but now it is recognized as the capital city of the entire Wielkopolska territory.
Poznan lies halfway in the middle of Berlin and Warsaw, which has helped make it a critical town for quite a long time.
Seriously harmed in World War II, the city (particularly its Old Town) has been perfectly restored and fully rehabilitated.
The gigantic Old Town Square (Stary Rynek) is one of Europe’s most pleasant, and is lined with astounding noteworthy attractions, cafes and lively entertainment after sunset.
Poznan is the birthplace of Poland and a perfect place to see the numerous attractions that encompass the Warta River.
It is a city of fashion, business, and culture that is dotted with ancient churches, universities, and a town hall with “clashing goats”.
Poznan is a city that cultivated many friendships, and referred to as the pearl of Baroque architectural structures which mostly dominates its magnificent skyline.
Poznan Best time to visit?
The climate in Poznan City can fluctuate significantly inside a solitary day, and particularly between the seasons.
The summers are warm, with temperatures primarily staying in the mid to high 30s, it’s best to bring a coat or warm jackets even in July, on the grounds that the evenings can get really nippy, and short thunderstorm can simply put a damper on your open air plans on the off chance that you don’t have an umbrella.
Harvest or the season of autumn sets in around September, and through November you can expect somewhat cooler temperatures.
These are the best months to visit the city of Poznan.
The snow typically doesn’t land until winter comes storming in toward the end of November or start of December.
While a white Christmas is the standard, the snow can stay on the ground from start to finish through March amid a particularly frosty winter, so make sure to pack that winter layer and gloves.
Spring is excellent in Poznan; however, it is still a bit nippy making it not the ideal time to go on tour around the city.
Before planning your holiday, always check the weather forecast websites for Poland to see whether the climate is more winter or summer-like before going.
Best things to do in Poznan
Known as an open and dynamic city, these are the top attractions to see and things to do in the city of Poznan:
Old Market Square (Stary Rynek)
The Old Market Square (Stary Rynek) is a beautiful square.
The more you can appreciate it during the summer months, because all the restaurants (and there are many, all around the square) put out the so-called gardens with tables, chairs etc.
for eating out.
In winter around Christmas are the kiosks to eat something on the fly, buy the typical bread or sausages, a kind of Christmas market with the cribs etc.
The historic buildings here are renovated and colorful.
This square with its side streets is truly a sight to behold.
The houses of different colors and statues and fountains are unique making it worth a visit while in Poznan.
The Old Market Square is the heart of the city and it overlooks the beautiful palaces and the Renaissance town hall.
A beautiful mansion that overlooks the square, and saved from the war, is the Palazzo Dzyalinski that boasts of its neoclassical architecture.
On the square is the town hall built between 1550 and 1560 by an Italian architect.
The main attraction is the chime of the clock tower where at noon, two mechanical goats come out the tower and clash snout against each other for 12 times.
The square is very choreographed for both the architecture of the buildings that are definitely multicolored and encompass the famous town hall.
Animated and alive this square is the starting point to visit the city of Poznan.
The Old Market Square, is not only the heart of the activities and commercial establishments, it also shows a series of buildings and engineering feats from various periods.
What to do in Poznan?
Ratusz Poznanski (Poznan Town Hall)
In the center of the square and the city Of Poznan rises the Ratusz Poznanski or the Poznan Town Hall.
It is an old structure that is very beautiful, rich in ornaments and has a bell tower using an ancient mechanism that marks the passage of time.
The peculiarity of Ratusz is his watch where every day at noon, an automatic mechanism releases two metal goats that clash or “fight” as what most tourists claim for twelve times while accompanied by a trumpet solo.
This representation is in honor of what really happened on the day of the inauguration of the clock: the two animals for slaughter, clashed in the square to the amusement of the citizens who were there to witness the festivities.
It was decided, therefore, to remember that fact by making the appropriate changes to the clock to incorporate this legendary story in its mechanism.
It is a very special building in the main square of Poznan, as well as the town hall of the same.
It houses inside a museum with different objects related to the city, nice rooms, but there is one that has a ceiling decorated and painted like a dream.
The Ratusz Poznanski Poznan yields great photos along with many other buildings; located in what could be called the Old Town.
Don’t forget to visit the majestic interior of this famous town hall in Poznan.
Top activities in Poznan Wielkopolska
Parish Church of St. Stanislaus (Fara Church)
The Parish Church of St.
Stanislaus (Fara Church) is one of the first Roman Baroque churches in Poznan.
Fara in Italian Lombard is a word for “community” and has left some trace in Abruzzo like the; Fara San Martino and Fara Filiorumpetri.
In Polish, it means ecclesiastical community and in this case you have a wonderful baroque church in the style of the Roman churches of St.
Ignatius and Jesus, apart from the bright colors that you can only find in northern Europe.
This place is rich and beautiful and the musical organ is one of the best from all over Poland.
It IS considered as one of the most important historical monuments of Poznan and it is situated about 200 meters from the main square.
Also, try to go there during the organ concerts.
It was recently renovated and makes a big impression from both outside and inside.
You must visit the churchyard because there is a very nice and cool cafeteria there.
The majestic façade is even more lavishly cleaned inside, and only organ sounds filled the church which attracts everyone who is just walking outside this enchanting church in Poznan.
Favorite Poznan Wielkopolska Attractions
Park Cytadela
The Park Cytadela was consecrated to the memory of the events that took place here during the Second World War.
It has in addition to a war cemetery and several monuments in memory, a theme museum with exhibits of military means.
The park is impressive, well-kept for greatness, organized, historically beautiful to look at, with its history of wars, passions, etc.
It is a very large park that is located inside the military museum with the lug on display, a military cemetery and the famous headless statues.
It occupies a wide space with tree-lined streets, lakes, plants and lots of places for relaxation.
It houses a cemetery dedicated to the fallen victims of the war and a work of art with dozens of busts beheaded.
It was once a fortified citadel, built by the Prussians at the end of 700 to defend the city itself and protect the advance towards Berlin by the Russians.
You can still see the remains of walls and bastions, in addition to the war cemetery.
Palmiarnia Poznanska (Palmenhaus Poznan)
For anyone who is planning a trip to Poznan, a visit to the Palmiarnia Poznanska (Palmenhaus Poznan), which is a greenhouse where there are many kinds of plants from all around the world.
It is great and it does not take much time to visit it.
It is a great experience to see all these plants that are so characteristic.
While walking you can also see fish, chickens (a different breed from those you see in other municipalities) and meet the two budgies – Dobra and Dobry.
This horticultural park is easily accessible and you can take a bus from the city center to get there, but surely you can also get there on foot because it is not really that far from the center.
A well developed garden and a few minutes walk from the train station, the century-old structure consists of several greenhouses all communicating with each other, inside there is also an aquarium, myriads of butterflies, birds and exotic animals of all kinds, and a bistro themed café where it is great to relax.
It is highly recommended for every romantic couple and children of all ages.
Malta Lake
The Malta Lake is one of the many lakes in the region, but this one is incorporated into the city.
It has become a trendy place for lovers of fitness and all those who want to take a nice walk.
International competitions are held here (canoe, kayak, fishing, etc.), but for those who prefer skiing, there is an artificial track that is open all year.
For those who prefer other activities, there are numerous restaurants overlooking the lake, a spa, a hotel, and one of the largest shopping malls for those who are addicted to retail therapy.
With a warm, exceptional stay in the lake under the trees to enjoy some delicacy was a really good experience.
The lake is full of paddlers and people doing the line to enter the spa or ski on ski slope which is open all year.
It’s just a nice place and it is mandatory to visit it while you’re in Poznan.
Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul
The original church was built in 966, shortly after the adoption of Christianity as the official religion, and where they buried the first Polish kings.
The Cathedral of St.
Peter and St.
Paul was destroyed between 1034 and 1038, but it was rebuilt in Romanesque style only to suffer alterations in Gothic and Baroque.
After the war it was restored in its ancient Gothic forms.
One of the main points of interest is the altar piece which was carved in Wroclaw, painted in Upper Silesia and brought in the cathedral in 1952.
Another point of interest is the Golden Chapel of the mid-1800s and contains the graves of two of the first Polish kings.
The location is full of charm and the island in the river lends a beautiful contrast between the facade and the interior.
Top things to see in Poznan
Croissant Museum
The Croissant Museum is a private museum on the Market Square, one of those where it is necessary to drive the kids, which is still too early to talk about the history and architecture.
Guides lead story in Polish and English, spend something like a master class with wine, and at the end of the day you can buy croissants before going back home.
It is a great experience to learn and understand how croissants are made.
To make absolutely when one passes in Poznan, the guys are funny and makes delicious croissant, plus, you can cut a crescent with a Polish saber!
It is an entertaining, informative and interactive event.
Located right in the marketplace with a great view of the town hall where two mechanical goats are the center of attraction every noon.
Fun things to do in Poznan
Brama Poznania Museum
The Brama Poznania Museum is the only one of its kind in Poznan.
It is here where interactivity and modernity are the masters.
The theme is the story of Poznan, from the first settlements up to recent history.
However, it consists of a series of films and animated videos (also well made) focused on a number of prominent people, and later kings and princes of the place with unpronounceable names and not easy to remember even after 3 seconds.
All this makes the duration of the visit, interesting and informative.
The tour costs 9 zl for students and also includes an audio-guided tour of the surrounding areas including the cathedral.
National Museum in Poznan
The National Museum in Poznan is ideal for the art connoisseurs and history lovers.
It is one of the many ways to enhance the culture of Poland.
This gallery is on several levels and very well organized, with a large number of works, from paintings to contemporary works, some have to say a little “indigestible”, but you know that art should be understood, interpreted, as it is appreciated .
Be sure to visit if you are in Poznan.
Before entering the museum there is an obligation to leave coats and bags in the cloakroom.
There are services and also a shop where to buy, books, prints and various souvenirs.
The building is a typical academic neoclassical building, but a body of the building was added recently.
The interior space is immense and almost oversized.
The original collections are supplemented by private donations from individuals and associations.
There is a bit of everything about art; Italian, French, Flemish, impressionist, most wooden statuary Polish and German.
It is also equipped with an excellent library.
It is one of the most interesting galleries in Poznan with a large collection of the most important paintings in Poland.
There are also some European paintings.
Especially recommended is the Spanish collection (Zurbaran, Murillo, etc.) and the image of A.
Sofonsiba.
In the small shop you can buy books and souvenirs.
Saturdays have free entry.
Best Poznan tourist attractions
Tumski Island
From the city center with a leisurely stroll to the island of the Cathedral, it is very charming and enchanting, full of facts and history.
The Tumski Island is in fact surrounded by the waters of the rivers Warta and Cybiny in their point of flow, thus offering an enchanting landscape.
The island is really great and fun to visit; there are lots of beautiful churches and cathedrals.
It is very nice also when night begins to fall; it is full of small restaurants that are cheap and friendly.
Nearby, in the direction of the Malta Lake, there is a small area with a cozy cafe where you can warm up after the winter walks.
If you visit during the Poznan National Day, the whole island is turned into a lively open-air museum.
It presents the old crafts and games, jugglers, people on stilts, blacksmiths, tanners, weavers, potters, and tinsmiths.
The townspeople are all dressed in period costumes and even children are happy to become part of a live performance.
Places to visit in Poznan – Wrap Up
Poznan is the capital of Greater Poland and is built as a stronghold of Poland in the eighth century and in the tenth century it became the capital of the emerging Polish state.
Here is where the considerable points of interest in this city are mostly located.
The city is blessed with colorful medieval buildings, and in the evening the premises of the square and parks are filled with all types of nationalities.
Poznan is a nice surprise for anyone who has never been to any part of Poland.
All of the attractions around the Stary Rynek has a brief introduction to Poznan and a little history lesson, and then you have the best view of the town hall tower, and if you can be there for the daily spectacle, you can see the goats fight.
