| The capital
city of the historic Wielkopolska Region known as the
cradle of the Polish state established here in the 10th
century. Its location at the crossroads of the trade
routes enhanced the city’s economic development in the
subsequent centuries. Poznan continues to be an important
centre of industry, trade, culture, sciences and tourism.
The city is also associated with the International Trade
Fairs that have taken place here regularly since World
War I. The island of Ostrow Tumski with its monumental
double-towered cathedral–set up in 10th century-is the
oldest part of the city. Now the cathedral is basically
Gothic with additions from later periods. Of all chapels
the most famous is the Golden Chapel, rebuilt in 19th
century as the mausoleum of the first Polish rulers,
Mieszko I and Boleslaw Chrobry. The buildings encircling
the cathedral are also of great historic value. A new
town was built in the Middle Ages on the left bank of
the Warta River, which later became the center of the
whole city. It is occupied by the Old Town Square with
the splendid Renaissance building of the Town Hall.
Now it houses the Historical Museum of Poznan. The Square
is filled with the buildings of the former trade stands,
a guardhouse, burgher houses and palaces. Not far from
the square, there are many churches with richly adorned
interiors. The Poznan branch of the National Museum
has an extensive collection of painting and sculpture.
Poznan and its surroundings:
Full-day guided tour of Poznan including: the Old
Town with its Renaissance Town Hall and surrounding
historic mansions, parochial church in Baroque style-one
of the most beautiful Baroque churches in Poland,
the former Jesuit monastery (today the seat of the
Town Council). In the afternoon excursion to Kornik
(20 km from Poznan)-visit to a magnificent palace
in Roccoco-Classic style from 18th century.
Route, joining sites connected with the origins of
the Polish state. Here the dispersed tribes of the
region were unified by the first ruler of Poland,
Mieszko I. Duke Mieszko I introduced Christianity–
A.D 966-to Poland and Gniezno was then made the capital
of the new-born state as well as the seat of the first
bishopric-raised to the position of the archbishopric
in the year 1000. In was in Gniezno that Boleslaw
Chrobry met German emperor Otto III who confirmed
Poland’s independent position and that hastened the
coronation of Boleslaw Chrobry as the first king of
Poland. Inside the Gniezno cathedral is the elaborate
shrine of St. Adalbert. This Bohemian bishop, who
is believed to have brought Christianity to Poland,
died from the hands of the pagan Baltic tribesmen,
was buried in the cathedral in 999 and soon canonized
by the pope. Originally a Romanesque building, it
was later turned to its present Gothic shape. Besides
the silver St. Adalbert’s shrine, the cathedral portal
contains the famous 12th century bronze doors, one
of the most valuable European pieces of Romanesque
art, featuring scenes from St. Adalbert’s life.
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