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Welcome to Poznań!

The Poznan Tourism Organization together with Poznan Convention Bureau are thrilled to welcome participants of the XXIII  International Congress of Historical Sciences!

The www.ichs.poznan.travel website is dedicated to the participants of the XXIII  International Congress of Historical Sciences. The website offers basic information about Poznań, as well as ideas for leisure, relaxation and touristic discovery of the city. 

 

 

We welcome you to Poznań and invite you to experience everything this city has to offer!

 

 

 

Poznań is a dynamic city, where almost 1,100 years ago the Polish state emerged. Populated by 540,000 inhabitants, it is the 5th largest and most popular destination in Poland, located at the heart of Europe. Over 120,000 students make the city teem with life. International events play a vital role in the local economy, as, since 1921, Poznań has been host to the most prominent trade shows in the country, organized by Poznań International Fair-Poznań Congress Center, the largest exhibition and meetings organizer in Central-Eastern Europe. It combines a unique heritage with rich cultural offer, lively atmosphere and spirit of entrepreneurship. 

 

 

Interesting facts from Poznań:

 

  • Poznań is home to the largest Palm House in Poland and one of the largest in Europe (12 pavilions, 4600 m2, aquarium). It also can boast over a hundred years of history.

 

 

  • The best medium-sized shopping center in Europe and in the world - Stary Browar, Art and Business Trade Centre (2005, 2008) - an award granted by the International Council of Shopping Centers; Stary Browar is characterized not only by its magnificent architecture but also by the works of art of famous artists: Igor Mitoraj, Alessandro Mendini.

 

 

  • The famous bold theft in the National Museum in Poznań - Claude Monet's painting "Beach in Pourville" was stolen. In 2000, it was cut out of the frame by a builder from Olkusz, who, as he stated, was possessed by the impressionist masterpiece. He hid the painting in a wardrobe and for a few years he looked at it in solitude. After 10 years the thief was captured and the painting returned to the museum. The museum also exhibits works of Spanish painters from the 18th century or the Polish symbolist painter, Jacek Malczewski.

 

 

  • Poznań has the only Museum of Musical Instruments in Poland.

 

 

  • It was here that the first such large anti-communist uprising in Poland was born (28 June 1956); this event is commemorated by a monument of the crosses on Adam Mickiewicz Square and the Museum of the Poznań Uprising June 1956.

 

 

  • Three mathematics graduates of the Poznań University (Henryk Zygalski, Jerzy Różycki, Marian Rejewski) changed the course of history - thanks to their breaking the Enigma cipher, according to historians, World War II was two years shorter. There is a unique Cipher Container in Poznań, where you can learn about the history of discovering the Enigma Cipher; soon a museum will be established - the Enigma Cipher Centre.

 

 

  • Famous architects are associated with Poznań. The Upper Silesian Tower, founded in 1911. (rebuilt after World War II - today's characteristic MTP Spire) was designed by Hans Poelzig. The shape and form of the Tower inspired Fritz Lang, who placed a similar building in the classic movie "Metropolis" from 1927.

 

 

  • Henryk Wieniawski has given several concerts in Poznań. Since 1952, i.e. since the second edition, Poznań has been the organizer of the International Violin Competition, which is held every five years under the patronage of Henryk Wieniawski. It is the oldest violin competition in the world.

 

 

  • Poznan is surrounded by a ring of 18 forts - they are an example of German military architecture; several forts are open to the public. It is one of the best preserved 19th century fortresses in Europe.

 

 

  • The largest meteorite in Poland (271 kg) is located in Morasko (northern part of Poznań). Five craters are left after the fall of the meteorite, located in the picturesque Morasko Nature Reserve.

 

 

  • The Old Market Square in Poznan is the third largest square in Poland.

 

 

  • The oldest cinema in Poznań is the Muza cinema operating since 1908. It is one of the oldest operating cinemas in Europe.

 

 

  • Poznan is famous for its trick-or-treating goats on the town hall tower at noon - their names are Pyrek and Tyrek.

 

 

  • The oldest cathedral in Poland is located here.

 

 

  • The remains of the first historical Polish rulers: Mieszko I and Bolesław Chrobry are buried in the basement of Poznań Cathedral. Apart from them, six other kings were also buried there. Poznań is considered to be the most important city in the period when the Polish state was being formed. It played the role of a capital city, was a center of culture and a place where Polish Christianity began.

 

 

  • MTP is the oldest exhibition center in Poland.

 

 

  • The Wielkopolska Uprising, which broke out on 27 December 1918 was the only fully victorious uprising in Polish history. The Poles demanded the return of the lands under Prussian rule to Poland, which was already strengthening its independence at that time. One of the most important reasons for the victory of the Wielkopolska Uprising and its phenomenon and specificity was the organization (or rather the self-organization) of the Wielkopolska society, as well as the civic character and classless and layerless solidarity. The Wielkopolska Uprising went down as the most democratic uprising in Polish history.

 

 

  • Pyry z gzikiem. The dialect in Poznań, very typical for the city and the region, is a mixture of the Polish language and the German elements, resulting in an interesting, unique language. Pyry are potatoes and gzik is quark.

 

 

  • The famous rabbi Jehuda Löw Ben Becalel, known as MaHaRal, came from Poznan. He lived in the 16th century. He was the chief rabbi of Prague and according to legend he is credited with the creation of the Golem - a clay monster to protect the Jewish community. This story is referenced in the 2010 sculpture "Golem" authored by David Černý, a Czech artist, famous for his controversial works - most of them located in Prague.

 

 

  • The Citadel is the largest park in town. It is about 100 ha in area and a stroll around its perimeter is nearly 4 km long. Poznań residents' favourite resting place was created on the site of former Prussian fortifications. Their relics can still be visited in the park. It is also here that the "Unrecognized" (2002) is located - the largest outdoor project by sculptor Magdalena Abakanowicz.

 

 

  • It is only in Poznan that you can visit the Poznań Croissant Museum, which during an hour-long show brings you closer to the history of the city and its sweetest delicacy - the St. Martin's croissant, whose tradition dates back to the mid-19th century. Of course, a tasting is part of the tour.

 

 

  • Ernst Kantorowicz (1895-1963), one of the most famous and influential 20th century medieval historians, came from Poznań.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Poznań in Bocuse d'Or 2020

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