POLAND : POZNAN - Sightseeing
The tourist heart of Poznan is the Old
Market Square. The eye-catcher is the beautiful town hall in Renaissance
style. Its historic rooms house the City Museum of Poznan. Around the
square the visitor finds the nice cosy little terraces of the cafes and
the beer houses, as well as numerous tourist shops with souvenirs and
art objects. Painters sell their work in the narrow streets around the
medieval houses. It’s worthwhile to stop and visit the Museum of Musical
Instruments and to admire its rich Polish and foreign collection. In
June the annual Sint John’s Fair takes place here.
In the narrow streets other historic buildings add to the charm of
Poznan. A masterpiece of Baroque architecture can be found in the parish
church of St. Stanislaw. The monastery of the Jesuits, next to the
church, houses the seat of the town council. In 1806 Napoleon Bonaparte
stayed for almost three weeks there and in 1828 Chopin gave his concerts
here.
The present-day centre of Poznan lies on the west side of the Old Town.
Here, the visitor will find most of the modern shops, department stores,
banks and restaurants.
On Wolnosci Square the attention is immediately drawn by the classicist
style of the Raczynski Library. Next to it, the National Museum with its
valuable collection of Polish and foreing paintings. On the west side of
the square is the Arkadia Casino, which in former days was a theatre
where Nicollo Paganini ( in 1829) and Franz List (in 1843) performed.
The statue of the great Polish poet Adam Mickiewicz adornes the square
named after him. Next to the statue is the monument for the victims who
fell during the June 1956 workers uprising. The Mickiewicz square ends
in the University Hall, the most important concert hall of the city.
Poznan is an important musical centre in Poland. It has one of the best
operas of the country and is home to some world famous ballet ensembles
and chamber orchestras.
