Warsaw Voice - In the Middle of Everything

6 October 2004

Situated in western Poland on the Warta River, the capital of Wielkopolska lies halfway between Warsaw and Berlin. The city, which celebrated its 750th anniversary in grand style in 2003, is a bustling business hub and an important cultural and academic center. The west bank of the Warta constitutes the multilingual business center of Poznań; this is where banks and other financial institutions as well as numerous local and international companies are located, and where, more importantly, the International Poznań Trade Fair is held every year. In contrast, the Old Market Square in the Old Town offers a completely different ambiance; here, as well as on the east bank of the river on Ostrów Tumski, the passers-by inadvertently tend to slow their pace and soak up the atmosphere.

Ostrów Tumski
Poznań's oldest monuments are to be found on Ostrów Tumski, an island surrounded by the waters of the Warta and its tributary, the Cybina. The most precious gem among them is the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, whose interior was restored after the war to its original Gothic beauty.

In the 19th century the Golden Chapel of the basilica was transformed into a mausoleum where the remains of the first rulers of Poland-Mieszko I and Bolesław the Brave-were laid to rest.

Also worth seeing are the Gothic Psalteria and the fifteenth-century Church of Our Lady. Another interesting building to visit is the Renaissance Lubrański Academy, founded in 1518 by Bishop Jan Lubrański. Now it houses the Archdiocesan Archives.

Around the Old Market Square
The Old Market Square is the favorite meeting spot for tourists and locals alike.

On one side the square is flanked by a row of picturesque arcade houses and arts and crafts stands. The Renaissance Weigh House, a replica of the building destroyed in the war, and the Neoclassical Guardhouse, now a museum, are two reminders of the original architectural style of the square.

In the center of the square stands the recently renovated town hall. Its Renaissance loggia and attic are beautifully complemented by the Neoclassical spire crowned by a white eagle and a turret with a clock. Every day at noon a crowd gathers at the foot of the clock to watch clockwork rams butt their heads twelve times.

The Górka Palace, an imposing mansion with an intricate Renaissance portico, almost entirely fills the area next to the southwest corner of the Old Market. It houses the Archeology Museum.

City center and beyond
In the northwest corner of Wolności Square stands the Raczyński Library, one of the oldest public libraries in Poland. On the corner of 27 Grudnia and Mielżyńskiego streets rises one of Poznań's most recognizable edifices, the Okrąglak designed by M. Leykam. St. Martin Street became one of the main arteries of the city, with some of Poznań's most imposing buildings located there. The most impressive of the group are the neo-Romanesque Kaiserhaus, today home to the Poznań Palace of Culture, and the neo-Renaissance campus of the Adam Mickiewicz University. Every five years the Henryk Wieniawski International Violin Contest, the world's oldest such competition, is held at the University.

Cytadela
After the Napoleonic Wars an attempt was made to turn the city into a fortress and the construction of the Citadel began. What remains are the nineteenth-century foundations and more than ten fortified buildings, most of which have been turned into various museums, such as the Martyrology Museum, Museum of Arms with an open-air exhibition of weapons and the Museum of the "Poznań" Army.

Cytadela is the city's largest public park (93 ha) and is extremely popular with the locals, who flock here for picnics and relaxing strolls.

Lake Maltańskie
The Cybina River valley and the surrounding hills to the west of the Old Town were the favorite walking destinations for the majority of the locals as early as the 19th century. The area seems even more attractive thanks to Lake Maltańskie, a man-made lake created during World War II. In 1990 a prestigious sports event, the World Championships in Canoeing, proved the lake to be one of the most attractive, cutting-edge facilities of its kind in Europe. There are numerous playgrounds lining the shore; bike and roller blade rentals are available.

Other sights
Museum of Musical Instruments-extensive collection of musical instruments from all over the world, including Frédéric Chopin memorabilia.
Palm Garden-Poland's biggest and one of the largest in Europe.
Meteoryt Morasko Nature Reserve (53.79 ha)-located in the northern part of the city; you can view seven circular craters created c. 5000-6000 years ago by meteors.

Best AccomModations in the CITY
Hotel Mercure Poznań
20 Roosevelta St., 60-829 Poznań
tel. (+48-61) 855-80-00
fax (+48-61) 855-89-55
e-mail: mer.poznan@orbis.pl
The hotel is situated in the heart of the city, close to principal business and entertainment areas and only a few minutes' walk from the grounds of the Poznań International Fair.
Leisure: sauna, fitness center, guided city tours; opera house, theater and philharmonic nearby.

Novotel Poznań Centrum
1 W. Andersa Sq., 61-898 Poznań
tel. (+48-61) 858-70-00
fax (+48-61) 833-29-61
e-mail: wiktor.roth@warsawvoice.pl
The hotel is located in the financial and cultural center of Poznań, within walking distance of the Poznań International Fair grounds and close to the Old Town.
Leisure: solarium, fitness room, casino, theater (100 m), cinema (200 m) and year-round downhill skiing (4 km).

Novotel Poznań Malta
64/66 Warszawska St., 61-028 Poznań
tel. (+48-61) 654-31-00
fax (+48-61) 654-31-95
e-mail: nov.malta@orbis.pl
The hotel is situated in the city center, within a beautiful old park and near the Berlin-Warsaw international highway (E30).
Leisure: Outdoor swimming pool, fitness studio, tennis court, volleyball, jogging path, bike rental, guided sightseeing tours for groups. Next to the hotel, the Malta Ski Center offers year-round skiing.

Polonez Orbis Hotel
36 Niepodległości Ave., 61-714 Poznań
tel. (+48-61) 864 -71-00
fax (+48-61) 852-37-62
e-mail: polonez@orbis.pl
The hotel is located in the center of Poznań and close to its historical sights.
Leisure: sauna, massage, year-round downhill skiing (4 km), tennis courts (1 km).

www.orbis.pl www.orbisonline.pl