Before traveling, it is worth bearing in mind that Poland has a different currency: the Polish zloty, PLN. Its exchange rate is 0.23 € or 16.9 rubles.
Old Market Square (Stary rynek)
Start exploring the city from its heart — the Old Square. It is called the most beautiful square in Poland. The brightly colored Polish-style houses look great in photos. A market has been running here since 1253 to this day, you can snack on local sausages or traditional bagels and buy handmade artisan souvenirs.
Poznan Town Hall (Ratusz w Poznaniu)
The town hall is located here, on the market square. The town hall was originally built on this site back in the 13th century, but in the 16th century the building completely burned down.
The new house for the City Hall was built in the Renaissance style. During the heyday of Polish culture, the kings invited Italian architects, but although common features with the Italian Renaissance are evident, Polish Renaissance architecture is very distinctive.
There is now a historical museum inside, but the building itself is closed for renovation until 2021.
- Museum website
Cathedral of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul (Bazylika Archikatedralna św. Apostołów Piotra i Pawła)
Saints Peter and Paul are the patrons of the town, they are depicted on the town coat of arms, and therefore it is the most important church for the locals. It is located on Tumski Island (Ostrów Tumski) between the Warta and Cybina rivers.
It is the oldest Polish cathedral, built back in the 10th century. The first Polish kings are buried here.
- Opening hours: from 08:00 to 18:00
- Website
Museum of Poznań Rogalikes (Rogalowe Muzeum)
The traditional pastry of the region, the St. Martin bagels, has been honored with an entire museum. The bagels can only be produced and sold by licensed bakeries in the region. They used to be eaten only once a year, on November 11, St. Martin’s Day. Now more than 250 tons of bagels are eaten every year on this day, but you can buy them at any time of the year.
- Hours of operation: from 11:00 to 15:00
- Cost including cooking show: 19 PLN
- Museum website
Imperial Castle (Zamek Cesarski)
The youngest castle in Europe is the residence of the German Emperor and King of Prussia Wilhelm II, a testament to the time when Poland was under the Great German Empire. The castle is built in the shape of an irregular polygon in the Neo-Romanesque style.
After World War II, the castle was threatened with demolition because during the German occupation of Poland it was planned to be turned into Hitler’s residence, and part of the building was slightly rebuilt. The castle was saved by the fact that there was not enough money for demolition and that Hitler, it is said, never visited his Poznan residence. Therefore, the castle was turned into the New Town Hall, then into the Palace of Culture, which it remains to this day.
Nowadays the castle has been reformatted into a cultural and leisure center of the city, with theater and dance performances, concerts, exhibitions and film screenings taking place inside.
- Opening hours: from 09:00 to 22:00
- Website
Royal Castle (Zamek Królewski w Poznaniu)
The oldest residence of Polish kings, built during the XIII–XV centuries. According to legend, before the castle and before the baptism of Poland, there was a pagan temple on this hill. The Royal Castle was repeatedly destroyed and rebuilt, and during World War II it was completely destroyed. It was rebuilt from scratch according to the proposed project only in 2010—2013, so what we see now is a real new building, and not very close to reality.
- Opening hours: from 11:00 to 17:00/18:00 (Mon — day off)
- Admission is free
- Website
Stary Browar Cultural Center (Stary Browar)
A modern landmark — the largest cultural and shopping center in Poznan was built in 2003 on the site of the Brewery Huggerów. The creators preserved the architecture and historical style of the building. Inside there is an art gallery, designer stores, showrooms, restaurants and cafes.
- Opening hours: from 09:00 to 21:00
- Website
How to get to Poznan
Poznan is relatively easy and quick to reach from Warsaw or Berlin.
From Berlin:
- By train: in 2 hours 50 minutes and 35 €. Schedule on the DB Website
- By bus: in 3 hours 30 minutes and 13—15 €. Schedule on the Flixbus Website
From Warsaw:
