kiwibird: Poznan, Poland

We awoke to heavy rain pattering on the roof, so turned over and went back to sleep. We had no motivation to be tourists on that day, even though we knew the city centre was very beautiful. But we did eventually get up. However we certainly needed a good strong cup of coffee to get going on that morning.

We set off in the rain, towards the street where the trams ran. I noticed the day before, that trams were still well used in Poznan. After the mysteries of the ticket buying were sorted out, and Walter very generously helped a German couple as well, we boarded a tram. This was quite an experience as the rails were a little buckled in places and the driver went very fast. It was like being on one of those old fashioned roller coasters.

Poznan, is described as a very beautiful city, with much charm and character, and a credit to the townspeople who restored their old buildings after they were nearly destroyed during the final battle in 1945. I believe most of the cities in Poland no longer have their fine buildings, except Krakow, which is reported to be also very beautiful.

According to the Lonely Planet, Poznan is a vibrant city, and this is easily seen, with its trade fairs, sporting activities, student population and visitors. There are English translations everywhere, and a service industry that is more than ready to accommodate the English speaking tourist. I never even got the opportunity to practice good morning (dzien dobry), thank you (dziekuje) or please (prosze) or at least to find out if the pronunciation of them was correct.

So with this knowledge we set off to explore the city centre of Poznan.

A word of warning. All the photographs show the buildings are on a lean, and this time I cannot blame the wine, as I had had nothing to drink. But juggling with an umbrella that kept blowing inside out, plus trying to take photographs, resulted in some very strange angles.

The old market square was so beautiful and picturesque, with its baroque style buildings, even in the rain and the wind. It was very evident that this had always been an important and rich town.

Due to the inclement weather none of the restaurants and cafes were open in the square.

I think Walter was taking a photograph of me here,

but he is posing in this photograph.

There was a bubble blowing event taking place in the square, with some magnificent large rainbow coloured bubbles being formed. I think the rain helped this event.

We visited the Poznan Historical Museum, which was once the old Renaissance Town Hall, built in 1550-60. It was full of interesting information about the town. Everything was labelled in Polish and English, which was very helpful. Two pieces of information I found very interesting. All the old official papers were written in Latin, the language of the elite, no doubt. During the 16^th Century all non Catholic people were evicted from the city, probably in fear of the Reformation movement having an influence in Poznan.

Every midday two metal goats above the old town hall clock butt their horns together 12 times, echoing a legend about two animals escaping a cook and fighting each in the town hall tower. I missed this event by five minutes but did take a photograph of replica goats in the museum.

In the square there were other museums, the Wielkopolska Military Museum, the Museum of Musical Instruments, the Archaeological Museum and the Museum of the Wielkopolska Uprising. We would have liked to go inside these museums, which were all free as it was Saturday, but our stomachs told us it was lunch time. And we were feeling very cold and miserable.

We found a really cosy restaurant, warm, and with plenty of atmosphere and extremely good food. Walter ordered penne with fresh salmon and asparagus and I ordered meat dumplings. Most delicious. Walter had a Polish beer and I had a lovely light red wine from Italy. We followed this with ice cream, banana puree and coffee dessert for Walter, and raspberry tart with two icecream balls for me. And we finished off with espresso coffees, perfectly brewed. No wonder I look happy.

We also watched the scene outside the window, mainly of rain and people parking cars. But after a while a police car turned up and two policemen got out and walked about. Who are they waiting for? Well we think they were looking for the six young men who turned up after they left. These six men started taking money from people who parked their cars there. No doubt they were 'looking after the cars'. What happened to the non payers' cars, we thought.

We continued to walk around the streets for a short time. I was intrigued by this view through steel gates.

We finished our visit by looking in on two churches, one was the 17^th century Franciscan Church, with an ornate baroque interior, which I found very oppressive. The other church, the name escapes me, I found to be a friendlier place, although again from the baroque period and very ornate.

And then it was through the market in order to purchase some white asparagus for dinner tomorrow, and off home on the tram, which went a little slower thank goodness.