Have Fun Being Interactive in Poznan, Poland, Poznan, Poland

The city of Poznań has been at the centre of several important events; the Christening of Poland, solving the German Enigma code and the invention of St Martin’s Croissant. Visitors are invited to interact with cultural institutions representing these events – and have fun.

The historical heart of Poznań lies on an island between its two rivers the Warta and one of its tributaries, the Cybina. Known as Cathedral Island (Ostrów Tumski), this is where the country’s first king, Mieszko I, built the first church. When Mieszko began his reign during the tenth century, Poland was a pagan country. In order to avoid being absorbed into the Roman Empire he decided to baptize himself as a Christian even though it meant he had to reduce the number of his wives to just one. Following his baptism Mieszko built Poland’s first Christian church, the Archcathedral Basilica of St. Peter and St. Paul. Dating back to the tenth century it is the oldest cathedral in Poland. This cathedral was partially rebuilt after it was damaged during the Second World War. Inside is the nineteenth-century Golden Chapel a memorial to the first rulers of Poland. The graves of these first rulers, King Mieszko 1 and his son Boleslaw the Brave are in the crypt of the cathedral. Other buildings on the island include a gothic Psalterium, the Palace of the Archbishop and three museums. But before exploring these buildings a visit to the Poznań Gate is recommended. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).