PLACE
POZNAN
A cosy and also a vibrant city on the Warta river in west-central Poland, with a population reaching 550 000 people, Poznan is an academic, scientific and cultural centre. 28 universities and academic institutions train about 130 thousand students. The city is also an important centre for an industry, trade, logistics and tourism. Being the home of The Poznan International Fair - the largest and the oldest exhibition in Poland, it is also one of the most „green cities” in Europe - the green areas cover more than 26% of all Poznan. The biggest tourist attractions are the historic buildings and churches of the Old Town and the Cathedral Island (where the symbolic tomb of the first Polish ruler Mieszko I and the first king of Poland Boleslaw the Brave can be seen) as well as the botanical garden, Palm House and the Zoo (117ha). The most famous cultural event in the city is the Malta Festival.
The most interesting places in Poznań:
The Old Market Square (Stary Rynek) - and its surroundings are among the most interesting places to see in Poznań. The Renaissance Town Hall, old houses, charming side streets, numerous museums, monuments, cafes, restaurants (for example: Ratuszowa, Brovaria, Bamberka) and people walking about - all of them create the unique atmosphere of the place. There are interesting fountais in each corner of the square: Neptun, Apollo, Mars and Proserpine.
Emperor's Castle (Zamek) - The Poznań residence of the German Kaiser William II was designed by Franz Schwechten and erected in the years 1905-1910. It was the last imperial edifice built in Europe, modelled on mediaeval castles and meant to be the symbol of German domination of Wielkopolska. Emperor William II visited Poznań three times only. When Poland regained independence after WWI, the castle was given to the Poznań University and it was used by presidents of the Second Republic during their visits to Poznań. Today the castle houses the "Zamek" Culture Centre, the Animation Theatre and the Museum of the Poznań June 1956. The castle courtyards are used for cultural events during the summer.
Poznań Collegiate Church (Parish Church) - Church of St. Stanislaus the Bishop and the Martyr (Fara) - the one of the most impressive Baroque sacral edifices in Poland. It was built in the years 1651-1701 and completed around 1750, by eminent architects: Tomasz Poncino, Jan Catenazzi and Reverend Bartłomiej Nataniel, painters and stucco-workers: Karol Dankwart, Szymon Czechowicz, Alberto Bianco and Jan Weydlich. Since 1978 it has been the Collegiate church and the main temple of St. Mary Magdalene's Parish. The loft above the nave features a remarkably valuable pipe organ made by the famous German organ builder Friedrich Ladegast of Weissenfels in Saxony.
The Old Brewery (Stary Browar) - The Old Brewery Shopping, Arts and Business Center was opened in 2003 and was built on the site of the Browar Huggera (Hugger's brewery). It is one of the most famous gallery in Poznan where everybody can do shopping and take part in exhibitions or cultural events.
The Palm House (Palmiarnia) - The Poznan Palm House has functioned since 1910. Is the one of the largest palm house in Europe. There are thousands of types of plants from all word for example: tropicals, savannas and a collection of exotic fish.
City Information Centre: http://www.poznan.pl/mim/cim/en/.
