Poznań for the Family

While Warsaw is the capital of Poland, Poznań is considered the historical capital of Greater Poland. There is good reason the fifth largest city in the country is known for its history — its traditions date back to the 10th century to the beginnings of Poland as a nation; in 2008, Poznań was declared a historical monument.

Poland’s oldest cathedral is found in Poznań, and is where the tombs of the country’s first rulers are found — Mieszko I and Boleslaus the Brave. Aside from the cathedral, one of the most interesting places to visit within the heart of the city is the Old Market Square, which houses a Renaissance-style city hall, historical tenement houses, loads of museums, restaurants and cafés, and lovely small streets to meander. A gate on the Wielka (Grand) Street was used by those deemed as important guests during the Middle Ages, and is a terrific entryway into the Old Market Square. While there, be sure to check out the billy-goat clock installed in 1551; at noon, two mechanical billy-goats appear and ram their horns against each other 12 times. Get your camera ready!

Another stop to make in Poznań is at the Archaeological Museum, which houses not only exhibits on the history of Greater Poland, but a large collection of Egyptian and Nubian antiquities as well. Here visitors will also find a print by Braun and Hogenberg from the 17th century that depicts the medieval town, the oldest known picture of the city.

The Poznań Citadel is some place to pay a visit during time spent in the city. With 18 forts developed in the 19th and 20th centuries, the citadel has a circumference of more than 18 miles, and is the third-largest of this type in all of Europe. Today, the Poznań Citadel is a bat habitat and, as such, is under special protection.

In addition to its historical significance, Poznań is known as the “city of greenery,” apt as well because forests cover nearly one-third of the city’s area. Within the city’s borders visitors will find two natural reserves, Morasko Meteorite and Żurawiniec.

In the 1950s, an artificial lake named Lake Malta was created, and is oftentimes called Europe’s “prettiest kayaking and rowing track.” In addition to these activities, the lake hosts recreation activities year-round, from miniature golf to bowling to skiing and biking and walking trails.