Poznań, the capital of so called Greater Poland (Wielkopolska), is the fifth largest city in the country. This sounds a little intimidating, but the main attractions and sights for tourists are concentrated around the relatively compact older part of the city. Poznań, was (possibly) Poland's first capital city (although it has been accepted that it might have been the nearby Gniezno instead), as the first rulers built significant structures here over 1,100 years ago. For sure, the city played a very important role in the early stages of Poland as a state. Poznań will be a host city for the UEFA European Football Championships in 2012 (organised jointly by Poland and Ukraine), and the city's infrastructure is being enhanced to accommodate the competing football teams, UEFA officials and the hundreds of thousands of supporters. Poznań's most important sight and recognisable feature is its old Townhall. It is a formidable Renaissance building dating back to mid 1500s with a unique front facade featuring three-level arcaded loggia topped with a tall attic wall and three towers. It is the finest Renaissance building in the world north of Italy. The city boasts Poland's first Christian church, one of loveliest old market squares, a castle, and a number of really interesting old and new buildings.
|
|