The capital city of Poznań

Old marketplace and city hall  

Poznań is among the oldest cities in Poland. The city lies in the Wielkopolska (Greater Poland) region in which the Polish state was born, and has witnessed several important historical events. The origins of the town date back to ancient times...

St. Mary's church in the Ostrów Tumski. In this place were palace of Mieszko I (the ruler of the Polans) 

It was a very, very long time ago. In ancient times three brothers lived in this - Lech, Czech and Rus - the legendary ancestors of the three Slavic nations: Poles, Czechs and Russians. Once they decided each of them would go his own way to get to know foreign countries. They promised to meet again when they reach adulthood. The years passed. Lech arrived in the land covered with dense forest. He founded his town there, which he called Gniezdno. One autumn day when prince Lech was returning from the hunting, suddenly he heard the sound of the horn and the clatter of horses' hooves in the forest. A group of unknown bearded and armed warriors rode into the clearing.
When prince Lech saw knights he shouted happily: "Poznaję was! Tak! Czech! Rus! Moi ukochani bracia!" (English: I recognise you! I do! Czech! Rus! My beloved brothers!) The joy exploded. To celebrate this remarkable reunion, it was decided to found a town in this place, where river Cybina flows into the river Warta, and call it Poznań (from the Polish word "poznać" meaning "to recognise").
So the legend goes, and how was it really?

Royal Castle

The history of Poznań began in the 9th century when a grad was raised on Ostrów Tumski (one of the islands at the confluence of the Warta and Cybina rivers) to guard a river crossing. This is a place where Mieszko I - prince of Poland, was baptised and established Poland’s first bishopric. Poznań became the first capital of Kingdom of Poland, hence the official name - "The capital city of Poznań".

Ostrów Tumski (Cathedral Island)

In the first half of 10th century the settlement was devastated by Bretislaus I, Duke of Bohemia and Polish Duke Casimir I the Restorer moved the capital to Kraków.
In 1253, the brothers Przemysł I and Bolesław the Pious founded a new city on the left bank of the river Warta.

Town hall

Through the next ages - and numerous power struggles - Poznan has overcome some overwhelming forces and has been key to Poland's current status. It remained in Poland until the second partition of the country (1793), when it passed to Prussia. In 1807 Poznań was included in the Grand Duchy of Warsaw and again passed to Prussia in 1815. The arrival of famous Polish composer Ignacy Jan Paderewski on 26 December 1918 was the signal for the outbreak the Wielkopolska Uprising. The city and the Wielkopolska Region (Greater Poland region) reverted to Poland in 1919.

Houses on the Old Market Square

During World War II, along with the rest of Wielkopolska, Poznań was incorporated into the Reich as Reichsgau Wartheland. Many Poles were expelled to the General Government area. The city regained its freedom on 23 February 1945.

Former Jesuit College

Today, Poznań is an important cultural and business centre in one of Poland's most populous regions with many regional customs. Situated to the west of the country on the route from Berlin to Warsaw, the city has a population of well over 600,000 people.

Old marketplace and city hall

The city is mainly associated with the Poznań International Trade Fair, but it is also a university city where some 100,000 people study at various academic institutions. Poznań is a capital of Wielkopolska (Greater Poland) Voivodeship.

City hall and guard house

Poznań is a fascinating city. Like the other larger Polish cities, Poznań is a mix of old and new. The city has many old churches and museums with important art objects (read more at: Poznań Old Town). Its most notable buildings are a Gothic cathedral (badly damaged in World War II) and a 16th-century city hall. This city is exciting, vibrant, colourful, modern, and full of history. The area around Poznan is plentiful in attractive lakes and green areas making it an ideal place for seekers of culture, leisure, and of course fun!

Jesuit (Parish)Church

You might also like other articles about beautiful Polish towns and cities (click)

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Comments

  1. Boa tarde, sem conseguir a tradução do que escreveu, comento as fotos que são magnificas num todo.
    AG

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  2. It's all like a fairy tale land to me... Beautiful pictures of a magical place.

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  3. Piękne miasto , można poszaleć z aparatem.., moje ulubione miejsce to Ostrów Tumski

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  4. Aż chciałoby się zobaczyć jeszcze raz...

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  5. We were to supposed to go visit a friend in Gdansk two weeks ago, but had to cancel and on the way I had reallllly wanted to stop at Poznan! This post makes me really sad we didnt go! But hopefully in June! #WanderfulWednesday
    (www.caliglobetrotter.wordpress.com)

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  6. Great to read, Beautiful place.
    Thanks for all pics.

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  7. I love all those colourful buildings! Definitely need to put Poland on my bucket list!!

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  8. Magnificent sky photography juxtaposed against those beautiful buildings ~ great composition ~ thanks,


    Wishing you a Happy Weekend ~ ^_^

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  9. The varied colors of the buildings amaze me. So beautiful! I would love to visit Poland!

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  10. Some truly beautiful shots in this collection - nicely done :-)

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  11. Am glad the three ancient brothers parted! It would have been a disaster if it would have been one country! Love the market places, much more colorful than I thought they would be (because Poland is more Northern) The building with all the towers on Cathedral Island is stunning! And so is the early Gothic church in your second image!
    Thank you for sharing the Polish beauty and history.

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  12. I love the colorful buildings.

    janet

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  13. Incredible history and architecture! Love all the bright, bold colors.

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  14. Wow - what amazingly beautiful scenes.

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  15. Your beautiful pictures of Poznan make the city look so appealing! There is a lot of history in this place, I'd love to see it.

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  16. This is a beautiful city with some magnificent buildings. I enjoyed the story of the three brothers. I like how this old world city has reinvented itself and prospered over the centuries.

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  17. It all looks like something from a children's story book... absolutely gorgeous architecture. Loved the story about the 3 brothers. Thank you so much for sharing and linking up today. Hope you have a great weekend!

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  18. Stately and beautiful - what a lovely town!
    I hope you'll come share at http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2017/02/worship-in-beit-sahour.html

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  19. Beautiful photos! I love the vibrant colors of all the buildings, and the lighting - gorgeous!

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  20. Such beautiful buildings and unusual architecture! There is so much detail and color in the buildings. It's so unlike anything that is being constructed nowadays. Wish we would have such magnificent buildings like there are in Poznan!

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  21. Fabulous post!
    Thanks for all the effort you put into your wonderful, educational, posts!

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  22. Wow! Buildings here are truly a work of art

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  23. Love the architecture and beautiful skies

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  24. Very pretty, very different from where I live. Enjoyed all your pictures.

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  25. Poland is such a fascinating country. Someday I want to visit.

    Worth a Thousand Words

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  26. Your photography is amazing! And this city truly looks like a fairytale!! :D

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  27. great place to visit. amazing photos.

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  28. What beautiful buildings and it looks like a wonderful day.

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  29. Poznan looks so charming, would definitely make it a priority to visit when I finally make it to Poland. Thanks for sharing on #TheWeeklyPostcard.

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  30. What a fascinating city! The buildings have such character. I really like the legend of the city, too.

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  31. Piękny ten Poznań na Twoich kadrach. Udanego weekendu.

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  32. Poznan looks a very beautiful place to visit, with charming buildings

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  33. It looks very grand with all the old buildings

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  34. Enjoyed reading about the legend behind the name of the city. Beautiful photos of the interesting architecture in Poznan #TheWeeklyPostcard

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  35. Beautifully captured photographs! Thanks for linking up with #wkendtravelinspiration, see you again soon!

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  36. Poznan looks very beautiful - the buildings with the mix of old and new almost look magical. I also really like the legend of how Poznan came to be!

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  37. A beautiful and colorful city!

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  38. ...a wonderful collection, thanks for sharing.

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  39. Some beautiful churches though the second one looks a little odd

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  40. Poznan looks so regal and beautiful! A paradise for the ones - like I - who love old and historical buildings! I love the steep and long roof in your second image. Many thanks for sharing Poznan with ALL SEASONS! Have a beautiful week!

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  41. What beautiful buildings. I had no idea Poland had such magnificent architecture.

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  42. Poznan is a really interesting city to visit and your photos capture it so vividly. Beautiful as usual! #wkendtravelinspiration

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  43. Przepiękne zdjęcia i wspaniałe miasto.
    Pozdrawiam:)

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  44. Wow - love all the different coloured houses in your first picture. Some of the local architecture is amazing!

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  45. Wonderful buildings and what a history!

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  46. ...wow, gorgeous images of gorgeous architecture.

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  47. Wow, those are some amazing structures!

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  48. Very impressive city. Excellent images

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