We arrive in Poznan after a train journey where I watch the snowy landscape flash by, see hares in the fields and the odd deer. I arrive at the hotel and ask for directions to the Xmas market and the woman there says it’s been moved as they’re doing construction work in the main square, the square that I saw and chose to visit Poznan because of its beauty. Such is life but we made up for the disappointment with the special grilled cheese and bacon, served with cranberry sauce and for later - a chocolate coated pear.
We find the markets which are lovely but small and we sadly cross the construction site, huge holes, big equipment, mud and fencing that prevents you from even taking good photos of the gorgeous colourful buildings that again had been rebuilt after WWII. But it’s here we find the cutest vegetarian restaurant with white mulled wine flavoured with rosemary. That night we have good Thai and the next morning I head out to explore.
I have a coffee to get me going and then visit the pink church of St Mathias which is richly decorated as per Italian churches; I go past the beautiful town hall that you can’t visit because of the street work; visit a market with a plethora of pumpkin varieties and end up getting out of the cold at the Chocolaterie Cacao Republic, where I have an Amaretto thick hot chocolate to warm me up.
Then I go to the Castle which has been destroyed over centuries and rebuilt into a museum. It’s a fascinating glimpse of life through the centuries and I particularly am intrigued by an exhibition - Silver from the National Defence Fund which began in 1936 to try and raise money for arms against Germany. Following the invasion of Poland, the unused donations were taken to Bucharest, then to France only to be recovered by Poland in 1976. Fascinating look into people’s prized possessions that were donated. At the top of this castle was an amazing view of the rebuilt city.
The next day I find another cute cafe for a croissant, cute shops abound outside the decimated square.
Next on my list is the Art Gallery and I am blown away by the Polish art works. Stunning.
It was a day for walking, as I headed out to the other side of town to see the Cathedral island across the river, the oldest church in Poland dating back to the 10th century. Then on to see the Mural Srodka which was stunning. It’s a 3D painting on a building celebrating the history of the neighbourhood.
I lunch at the vegetarian place and then head off to Stary Browar, a shopping complex set in a 19th century brewery all done up for Xmas. The architecture is superb.
And then we're off again. Stay tuned. The next place would have to be one of my favourite cities.
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