Poznań is a truly remarkable city that can boast not only numerous industrial enterprises but also magnificent ecology and a hundred cultural monuments. It is considered the soul of Poland and attracts thousands of tourists every year who are ready to fall in love with it.
Historical sights of Poznań
It is said that Poznań is immersed in history. Getting to know this city is impossible without visiting its important places.
Old Market Square
Like in most cities in Eastern Europe, the main square of Poznań is called the Old Market Square. Founded in the mid-13th century, it was initially intended for trade. Its size has not changed since the laying of the first stone, and it has a square shape, with each side measuring 140 square meters. The perimeter of the Old Market Square is lined with buildings from the 16th century.
The main attractions of the square are the four fountains dedicated to Greek gods (Neptune, Mars, Proserpina, and Apollo), as well as the shame column (a place of execution and torture of criminals during the Middle Ages).
Town Hall
In the heart of the Old Town, you can find the Town Hall of Poznań. For a long time, it served as the municipality, but for several decades now, the building has been a museum.
The construction is considered a record holder in terms of construction duration. The works lasted from the 13th to the 16th century. In the 17th century, the tower was seriously damaged by lightning. But a century later, the city authorities fully restored the Town Hall.
Address: Stary Rynek 1, 61-768 Poznań, Poland
Website: mnp.art.pl
Phone: +48 61 856 81 93
Imperial Castle
The castle was built in the early 20th century as the residence of German Emperor Wilhelm. The construction cost five million marks. The strict frame of the building has a polygonal shape and is made of brick, sandstone, and concrete. Throughout its century-long history, the Imperial Castle has been part of a university and a municipality. Now it is a historical treasure accessible to tourists.
Address: Święty Marcin 80/82, 61-809 Poznań, Poland
Website: ckzamek.pl
Phone: +48 61 646 52 60
Opening Hours: daily from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM
The Mielżyński Palace
This small mansion of the Mielżyński family is located on the Old Market Square, near Wroniecka Street. The modest neoclassical building is adorned with the family’s coat of arms and an extended cornice.
The first owners of the palace were among the wealthiest citizens of Poznań in the 18th century. In the last century, a large part of the mansion was destroyed by fire, but the local authorities spared no expense in restoring the building. Right after reconstruction, the palace was transformed into a hotel—initially a modest tourist house, and later, a luxurious hotel.
Other Historical Landmarks
The unique character of Poznań is reflected in the following important attractions:
The Działyński Palace, an 18th-century baroque residence;
The Old Zoo, founded in the 19th century;
Maltanka Railway — a scenic miniature railway that transports passengers through park areas between the New Zoo and the Śródka district;
The Monument to the 15th Uhlan Regiment, dedicated to local heroes who fought for Poland’s independence during the Polish-Soviet War in the early 20th century;
The Monument to the World-Famous Polish Composer Frédéric Chopin, located in a park of the same name that was originally established by Jesuit monks in the 12th century.
Natural Attractions
Poznań offers a wide range of natural landmarks, including around a dozen parks and dozens of small green squares. Across the city, man-made structures blend harmoniously with lush green oases.
Citadel Park
The largest park within the city limits spans an area of over 100 hectares. Since 2008, it has been legally protected and officially recognized as a national treasure. Visitors are drawn to its two military museums, a monument to the Red Army heroes, and several commemorative alleys dedicated to historic battles and wars.
Botanical Garden
The Botanical Garden in Poznań is not only a picturesque park with a rich collection of exotic and familiar European plants, but also part of the scientific complex of Adam Mickiewicz University. This beautiful natural retreat was established in the 1920s. Thanks to strong support from the city authorities, the garden has been protected for decades and has held the status of a cultural monument for nearly 50 years. A new exhibition hall dedicated to plant life was recently opened here.
Address: Dąbrowskiego 165, 60-594 Poznań, Poland
Website: obuam.robia.pl
Phone: +48 61 829 20 13
Opening hours: daily from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
Lago Malta
El lago Malta es un embalse artificial creado en el río Cybina en la década de 1950. Recibió su nombre en honor a los Caballeros de Malta, quienes en el pasado fueron propietarios de estas tierras en la actual Poznań.
Hoy en día, el lago Malta forma parte activa de la vida deportiva de la ciudad: en verano se puede practicar esquí acuático, y en invierno se transforma en una enorme pista de nieve artificial. En sus orillas también se celebra un festival de teatro.
Ostrów Tumski
Situado entre dos brazos del río Warta —la principal vía fluvial de Poznań—, Ostrów Tumski es considerado uno de los principales puntos de interés de la ciudad por su gran valor histórico. Los primeros asentamientos en esta isla datan del siglo VIII.
Actualmente, Ostrów Tumski alberga varias casas antiguas, iglesias y la catedral de la ciudad. Todos los edificios están rodeados por un sólido terraplén defensivo.
New Zoo
The Poznań Zoo is home to over 2,000 species of animals spread across an area of over 110 hectares. The zoo is located near Lake Malta on Góra Biała. It was built after World War I, as the limited space of the Old Zoo restricted its potential for expansion.
Today, at the New Zoo, you can see a variety of inhabitants:
raptors such as eagles, vultures, hawks, and owls;
predatory mammals of all sizes, from chinchillas and hamsters to tigers and cheetahs;
exotic species like emus and kangaroos;
rhinoceroses and bison;
deer and many other animals.
Address: Krańcowa 81, 61-048 Poznań, Poland
Website: zoo.poznan.pl
Phone: +48 61 877 35 17
Opening Hours: Daily from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
Parks in Poznań
Other natural attractions in Poznań include the following interesting places:
Jan Długosz Park, located near the old brewery in the historic part of the city;
Sołacz Park, featuring a lake and green spaces enjoyed by locals and visitors to Poznań.
Religious Monuments
In the modest square of Poznań, there are several dozen Catholic churches and chapels. It's almost impossible to see them all in just one week.
St. Anthony of Padua Church and Franciscan Monastery
The Franciscan monastery complex is located in the heart of Poznań. Once, there was a wooden chapel here, which was destroyed by fire due to the actions of ill-wishers. The current stone buildings were erected in the 17th century on the same sacred site for Christians.
The main highlight of the Church is the image of the Virgin Mary believed to have the power to heal the sick. Thousands of pilgrims come here every year.
Address: świętego Antoniego 50, 61-359 Poznań, Poland
Website: poznan.franciszkanie.pl
Phone: +48 61 879 31 84
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church and St. Mary Magdalene
One of the most important Catholic churches in Poznań was built in the late 17th century. Today, this holy place has the status of a minor basilica. The pink walls of the church are adorned with images of the patron saint of the church, St. Ignatius Loyola with a burning heart in his hands.
Despite the ravages of the two World Wars, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church remains open to all visitors. The local authorities have undertaken several reconstructions of the church over the years.
Address: Klasztorna 11, 61-779 Poznań, Poland
Website: fara.archpoznan.pl
Phone: +48 61 852 69 50
St. Wojciech Church
The St. Wojciech Catholic Church is dedicated to its initiator and patron, Bishop Wojciech. This well-known priest and preacher belonged to a respected Polish family, yet he dedicated his life to preaching in the territory of Prussia.
The first wooden cult structure appeared on the hill in the 13th century. Two centuries later, it was replaced by a more durable stone church, built in a strict Gothic style. In the 17th century, a pantheon for the burial of famous cultural and religious figures of Poland was established in front of the church.
Address: Wzgórze Świętego Wojciecha 1, 61-748 Poznań, Poland
Website: swietywojciech.archpoznan.pl
Phone: +48 61 851 90 12
Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter and St. Paul
Built in the 10th century, the Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter and St. Paul is rightfully considered the oldest in the city. It can be found on the island of Tumski. Nearby is the burial place of the rulers of the Polish Duchy.
Throughout its history, the structure has been reconstructed multiple times due to fires, military battles, and hurricanes. In the late 1950s, the church once again opened its doors to all parishioners.
Address: Ostrów Tumski 17, 61-109 Poznań, Poland
Website: katedra.archpoznan.pl
Phone: +48 61 852 96 42
Other Churches in Poznań
Among the important religious monuments, the following gems of Poznań can also be mentioned:
Church of the Most Holy Virgin Mary, located on Tumski Island. The structure is built in a Gothic style and dates back to the medieval times.
Church of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus, converted into a church from a regular bourgeois house.
Church of St. Stanislaus Kostka, an unusual rectangular-shaped church built in the 1930s.
Church of the Most Holy Virgin Mary, Helper of the Faithful, initially under the patronage of St. Catherine and now under the care of the Salesian Fathers.
Monastery Complex of the Discalced Carmelites and the Church of St. Joseph, named after the monks who took vows of poverty.
Cultural Attractions
Poznań is considered the cultural capital of Poland. The city is home to around a dozen museums, both traditional and truly unique — such as the Archbishop's Museum. In addition to that, Poznań also boasts several theatres that attract visitors not only with their performances but also with their impressive architecture.
Stanisław Moniuszko Grand Theatre
This neoclassical-style theatre building reflects the grandeur of ancient Roman cultural venues. Its façade features decorative stucco, statues, and columns, while the auditorium itself can accommodate up to one thousand guests. The opera house was constructed when local authorities realized the previous building could no longer meet Poznań’s growing cultural needs.
Address: Fredry 9, 61-701 Poznań, Poland
Website: opera.poznan.pl
Phone: +48 61 659 02 00
Raczyński Library
The oldest public library in Poznań was founded in the early 19th century by the renowned journalist, publicist, and Polish social activist Edward Raczyński. He was also its first benefactor — upon the building’s completion, Raczyński donated 10,000 volumes of rare editions from his private collection. Over the course of a century, the library’s collection grew to over 50,000 volumes.
World War II dealt a heavy blow to Poznań’s cultural heritage. Only around 17,000 books survived from the Raczyński Library’s original holdings. The building itself has since been fully restored, and since 2011, this literary treasure trove has once again been welcoming visitors.
Address: plac Wolności 19, 61-745 Poznań, Poland
Website: bracz.edu.pl
Phone: +48 61 885 89 09
Museums
Poznań boasts the following museums:
National Museum — the largest museum in the country, dedicated to the history and culture of the Polish people from the time of the Slavic tribes to the modern era.
Armament Museum — located near Fort Winiary, showcasing various weapons and military equipment.
Ethnographic Museum — housed in a former Masonic lodge, offering insights into the culture of the Polish state.
Museum of Applied Arts — a quaint house near the Church of St. Anthony of Padua, displaying around 11,000 items crafted by local artisans.
Museum of Environmental Knowledge — a branch of the Polish Academy of Sciences, established at the beginning of the last century.
Archbishop's Museum — showcasing the development of Catholicism in Poland since its establishment in the late 19th century.
Museum of Musical Instruments — the only museum of its kind in Europe, opened in the second half of the 16th century. It houses over 2,000 exhibits displayed in 19 halls.
Poznań is fascinating because it blends its stone jungle with picturesque landscapes. Once you visit this Polish city, you will fall in love with it forever.
