Old Market in Poznan, Poland. Photo by © Anna Krych.
The Streets of Poznan
By Patryk Krych | The World Daily | SEPTEMBER, 2018
Poland is a country often forgotten when looking across the beauty of Europe, yet ironically enough it’s also one of the most beautiful countries there is, with attractions ranging from an uncountable collection of still standing castles, to mountain towns with lovely cultures that have barely at all changed still to this day.
Often enough, when mentioning Poland, the first cities that pop into mind are the most popular and large ones, such as Warsaw or Krakow. That or the small but entertaining Zakopane. But Poland, like many other countries, has divine beauty in its less popular cities as well. The example of this is Poznan, a city so rich in history and chocolate, it deserves an entire week’s visit on its own.
There still stand two castles in Poznan; both standing still as historical reminders. One is the recently rebuilt Royal Castle, originally built back in the late 13th century, and regrettably demolished during the fights for independence in the year 1945. It’s a castle that had once housed some of the first Polish monarchs, and later in history experienced frequent visits from both Polish and Hungarian kings and queens. A stamp of Polish antiquity that cannot be missed by anyone who seeks to learn the culture.
The second castle stands as a grim, if architecturally stunning reminder of Poland’s overall struggles; the Imperial Castle. The century-old castle was constructed under the German rule of Poland, though is really more of a Palace than a Castle, and was reconstructed as the dictator Hitler’s residence during the occupation. The prices for visiting both castles are nothing great, rest assured, and are both significant to Poland’s culture. A must-see for certain.
There are no problems when it comes to finding a nice place to stay in the compact city, what with the near endless number of hostels around Poznan. None too expensive, all easy to find and book a stay at. Amongst the most popular of the hostel selection is Very Berry, cheap and close to the town centre.
One of the many hotels in central Poznan. Photo: Anna Krych © 2018 The World Daily
I refer to a city such as Poznan as ‘compact’ for good reason. Everything around the town centre is very close and easy to find. No matter what hostel you choose to stay at, you’ll find you’re never far from a local store, or even a shopping mall. The malls in Poznan in particular are expansive and common, equally easy to access. Restaurants of all shapes and sizes are in abundance, from Italian to Turkish. You might even find yourself surprised by the sheer number of kebab restaurants all around Poznan.
One of the most interesting attractions found around Poznan is the well-known Poznan Cathedral; one of the oldest churches in Poland and overall the oldest cathedral in all of the country, still containing walls and segments dating back from the 10th century. Free to visit of course, unless one desires to see the still standing wall in the underground area, then a small fee must be paid. More than worth it of course, to visit the elder architectural marvel.
The city centre of Poznan, referred to as ‘Old Town’, is enough of a reason in itself to visit the city. The previously mentioned collection of hostels are all available around the area, allowing easy access to the sights of the beautiful architecture and aesthetic, along with an interesting 12 noon spectacle at the Old Town Clock Tower. When the hand strikes noon, mechanic goats emerge from the Clock Tower and for the entirety of the minute, butt heads with one another. The clockwork display is always a fun one to have a look at whilst one visits.
Old Town in Poznan. Photo: Anna Krych © 2018 The World Daily
The Fara Church is another one of the many interesting visiting point of Poznan’s Old Town – a 1600s built Catholic church, decorated with a pink façade, along with weekly organ concerts, and readily available guided tours for those who feel they wish to explore the centuries old church in a manner that may be more enlightening.
If you feel like visiting Poznan’s centre for commerce and art, all you’d have to do is look towards Stary Browar. Though it’d be for sure defined as a mall, the building’s design and total appearance in itself makes it worthy of visitation. It could wholly be thought of as a cross between a gallery and space available for retail.
One of the greatest attractions the Polish city has to offer, however, is the artificial Lake Malta; formed in 1952, and 2.2km in length, making it the largest man-made lake in all of Poznan. The lake provides a variety of attractions, from local saunas, to ski hills -during winter time-, and obstacle courses. And It may seem silly to mention, but right by the lake is also a swimming resort, for familial fun and activities. Not to say that the lake isn’t perfectly fine for swimming either.
And lastly, one of the final most interesting aspects of Poznan is the zoo, here referred to as ‘Nowe Zoo’ (New Zoo), as it was made to replace, to a certain degree, the much older zoo that was already present in Poznan since the late 1800s. The New Zoo, open since 1974, may seem like a less orthodox visiting point for anyone visiting a foreign country, but it is certainly worth the trip, with a cheap entry fee. The zoo could be just as comfortably be called a park, what with its massive size, miniature railway, and the War-era Fort III.
Poznan is a city unafraid of protecting and showing off its history, whether brutal or glorious, as shown by their appreciation of the past, valuing it and keeping it still, to remind its citizens of how it brought them to today. To ensure they never forget, and learn to be proud. Poznan is a city of history, and in that sense, a city of utmost pride.
By Patryk Krych | © 2018 The World Daily
