The Charm of Poznań: From the Old Town to the Mysterious Castle

 

 

The Charm of Poznań: From the Old Town to the Mysterious Castle

Salah Soliman

 

Poznań is a beautiful Polish city I visited during the COVID-19 crisis in the winter of 2020. At the time, I thought I had seen everything and believed tourism was centered around the Old Town, where the city's historic square is filled with the scent of history dating back to the 13th century, specifically to the year 1253 when Duke Przemysł I ordered its construction.

As time passed, I returned to the city again, invited by Mr. Jan Mazurczak, the director of the tourism branch in Poznań, who organized a program to show us the city in a comprehensive way—not just its history and museums but also its stunning nature, lakes, gardens, and even restaurants that offer famous Polish local dishes.

 

The journey began when I reunited with media representatives from the United Arab Emirates, a country that Poznań hopes to engage in more tourism with after the launch of a direct flight connecting Poznań to Dubai in October 2023, with three weekly flights. This will undoubtedly contribute to enhancing tourism ties between the two countries.
 

 Although I had visited the Old Town, where its most famous landmarks are the colorful fishermen’s houses and the renowned Town Hall, tourists gather in front of it every day at exactly 12 p.m. to watch two mechanical goats emerge from a room above the clock and butt heads twelve times, accompanied by a trumpet played by one of the guards.

It is known that the building was established in the 14th century as an official government building, with the first historical record of it dating back to 1310. It is designed with three floors topped by three polygonal towers crowned with domes.

The butting goats are the symbol of the city, and you will find them everywhere. In a delightful surprise organized by the tourism authority, we traveled back in time, accompanied by a nobleman from the Old Town in his traditional attire, who was our guide. He took us on a tour of the Old Town in this costume, explaining the historical landmarks in a theatrical manner. He also told us the story of the goats, the city’s symbol, dating back to 1551 when the mayor was invited to inaugurate the clock tower.

 

During the ceremony, the chef discovered that the food he had prepared for the event had spoiled. In an attempt to save the day, he tried to steal two goats to cook them, but the goats escaped into the building and climbed to the room above the clock. They started butting anyone who tried to catch them until the mayor saw them and issued an official decree to immortalize the incident.

 

In Freedom Square, not far from the city center, stands a large monument commemorating the first uprising against communist rule in 1956. Although the uprising was short-lived, lasting only two days, as it was crushed by Russian forces backed by tanks, with Polish communist soldiers killing 70 people, including a 13-year-old child, they remain proud of it and celebrate it annually.

 

The city is lively, with friendly people, bustling shops, and restaurants known for famous Polish dishes. It’s no wonder Poznań is the fifth-largest city in Poland, with a rich history told by its museums and narrow streets. The Old Market is a delight to explore Polish products, while its lakes, forests, and gardens are a visual treat.

 

After the unification of Poland in 1320, Poznań became an important city for both Poland and Europe, aided by its strategic location at the crossroads of European trade routes. Today, it ranks among the top cities in Central and Eastern Europe in terms of investment opportunities, with the third-largest university in Poland. Over 130,000 students from all over the world study here, with its most famous university, Adam Mickiewicz University, located near the Imperial Castle.

 

Before leaving the heart of the city, Wojciech Mania takes us to Rogalin to visit the Rogalin Palace Museum, the former residence of the Raczyński family, established in 1948, dating back to the 18th century. It houses valuable paintings and a variety of antique horse-drawn carriages owned by the family throughout its history.

The palace garden is one of the most beautiful in Poznań, planted with oak trees, including the oldest oak tree in Poland, called Rus Oak, which is over 800 years old. Since the tree began to die and all attempts to regrow its branches failed, scientific efforts under the care of experts succeeded in growing a part of the tree that carries all its genetic traits using modern scientific methods and active carbon. The new part is now growing, preserving the lineage of this magnificent ancient tree with its twisted trunks. The garden features more than 1,400 trees, many of which are classified as natural monuments

We leave Poznań and head towards the open nature, where the trees are displaying a myriad of colors in the height of autumn. We travel to one of the most controversial places: the fairytale-like Stobnica Castle, accompanied by Aleksander Rudawski. The castle is extremely unique, mysterious, and legendary. It is located near the village of Stołęcin in the Noteć Forest, designed to resemble a medieval castle with a massive central tower reaching 50 meters high. The building resembles many historical European castles, with numerous towers, high walls, and interior spaces reminiscent of old royal palaces. Construction began in the late 2010s, and the completion date remains unknown.

 

 The castle’s construction has sparked considerable controversy due to its location in a protected natural area. The project has been accused of violating environmental laws, as the castle is in a habitat for many rare species of animals and plants. Investigations are still ongoing regarding the legality of the castle's construction in this location.

 

Despite its grandeur, the controversy persists. The project has faced accusations of breaching environmental regulations, as it’s located in an area considered a sanctuary for rare species. There are also speculations about the purpose of the castle once completed—whether it will be a luxurious hotel or a private estate for the elite.

Zielonka Forest: A Journey into Nature and Tranquility

 

 

We leave the castle and head to the romantic and pristine nature of Zielonka Forest in eastern Poznań. This is an adventurous drive through unpaved forest roads to our destination, the Weranda Home resort. The forest is beloved by mushroom gatherers, family picnics, hiking enthusiasts, and cyclist

 

 At Weranda Home, we relax in a villa that can accommodate 12 people, offering tranquility amidst the wild beauty. We enjoy a local fish dish at the hotel restaurant before returning to Poznań, where we end our day with a dinner at the exceptional Fromazeria restaurant, which offers a range of Polish cheeses, making for a delightful experience.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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