Poznań…

Today Stuart and I ventured out west with a trip to the Polish town of Poznań. About 3 hours due west of Warsaw, Poznań is a picturesque little place. 

We started our visit by walking from the station, Poznan Grówny, to Stary Rynek (Old Market Square)  The square is surrounded by colourful townhouses, now home to cafés, restaurants, and shops. It’s quite the eye catch.   

In the square is also a church where every day at 12 o’clock sharp, the famous mechanical goats of Poznań make an appearance. These goats have become a symbol of the city, and tourists gather daily to watch the show. It’s as meh as you ought imagine.   

Far more impressive is the nearby stunning Poznań Fara (aka the Basilica of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Mary Magdalene, and Saint Stanislaus.) This coral-coloured church is a beaut and is worth a visit.  

Just outside of town across the river is Ostrów Tumski, also known as Cathedral Island. It’s home to the Poznań Cathedral, one of the oldest in Poland, blending Romanesque, Gothic, and Baroque architecture. Nestled next to it is the Franciscan Church and the Bishop’s Palace, the residence of the Archbishop.  

Across a short iron bridge is the Śródka district complete with its giant mural of 1920s Poznan painted by Radosław Barek with its cat on the roof and trumpet man. Hmmm. 

We stopped in the square there too for lunch - a typical Polish selection of: 

Wild boar dumplings (with baked sauerkraut) 

Deer goulash (with potato pancakes and beetroot) 

Wild boar pate (as a cake with sour cucumber) 

Pyra Z Gzikiem (Baked potatoes with cottage cheese, oil) 

Yum!

All washed down with some local beer.    

Before our 3 hour train ride back east we popped into the Lego exhibition Historyland. Over 1,000,000 Lego bricks showcasing Polish history with intricate reconstructions.

  

Let’s just say, it was pretty lame and best avoided.   

Poznań is a pretty place though. Well worth a visit for sure.