Discover Poznań: History, Culture and City Life

• The Old Market Square has been considered the vibrant heart of Poznań since 1253; the Town Hall there is a Renaissance building dating from the 16th century.
• Ostrów Tumski is home to the cathedral and the Archdiocesan Museum in the former Lubrański Academy.
• The Enigma Cipher Centre is dedicated to deciphering the Enigma code, a story that began in Poznań.
• Daytime bus routes 159 and 148 and night bus route 222 connect the city centre with the airport; route 159 also serves the railway station.

The Old Market Square is a good starting point for exploring Poznań’s urban history: it has been considered its vibrant heart since 1253. The Town Hall on the square is a Renaissance building dating from the 16th century. A well-known tradition there features two goats that appear at the Town Hall tower every day at noon and 3 pm, and butt heads twelve times. If you want to plan around this moment, these two times are a specific point of reference for your stay.

Ostrów Tumski focuses on religious and archaeological heritage. The cathedral’s crypts contain tombs believed to belong to Mieszko I and King Bolesław Chrobry. The Archdiocesan Museum was founded in 1898 by Archbishop Florian Stablewski and is the oldest museum institution in Poznań. It is located on Ostrów Tumski in the former Lubrański Academy.

The Genius loci Archaeological Reserve preserves well-preserved structures from the ramparts of Poznań’s 10th-century castle. Porta Posnania, Poland’s first Heritage Interpretation Centre, offers a different approach to history. Using modern technology, it presents the history of Cathedral Island, the development of Poznań and the beginnings of the Polish state. The three sites each take a different approach: crypts, archaeological traces of buildings and modern interpretation of history.

The Enigma Cipher Centre presents the story of deciphering the Enigma code, which began in Poznań. Its exhibition consists of three main sections. It adds the history of codebreaking to the historical themes, while Porta Posnania covers the city’s development and the beginnings of the Polish state.

Wilson Park is home to the Poznań Palm House. It houses 17,000 plants from 700 species and subspecies and is one of the largest facilities of its kind in Europe. Its collection is a distinct highlight alongside the city’s historic sites and exhibitions.

The Malta Thermal Baths comprise four areas: Waterpark, Sports Pools, Sauna World and SPA 1306. Some pools are supplied with geothermal water drawn from a depth of 1,306 metres. The qualification that this applies to some pools is part of the information. A 2,190-metre regatta course is also located on Lake Malta. These details help distinguish the different attractions around Malta without conflating them with the historic offerings in the city centre.

Daytime bus routes 159 and 148 and night bus route 222 connect the city centre with Poznań-Ławica Airport. Route 159 also serves the railway station. The route information was updated on 27 November 2025; check the connection before travelling. This lets you factor your journey into your plans without assuming a particular accommodation location.

Then compare the location and conditions of specific offers to suit your own plans.

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Where can you get free information materials?

The tourist information office at the Old Market Square provides free information materials about Poznań and the surrounding area.

Which routes does the “The Oldest Poznań” audio guide offer?

It begins in the square in front of the cathedral on Cathedral Island. You can choose between Cathedral Island–Śródka and Cathedral Island–Chwaliszewo. Check whether the audio guide is available before your trip.

What is Rogal świętomarciński?

Go to the main travel overview: Greater Poland.