Interesting Poznan Facts That You Probably Haven’t Heard Of!

Poznan, the capital of Greater Poland is one of the best places to visit in Poland. With a rough history, beautiful architecture, and a unique atmosphere, it’s a perfect tourist destination even for the most demanding travelers. In this post, I will try to show you the city from a different angle. I’ve gathered some interesting Poznan facts to help you learn more about this vibrant place.

Poznan Is A Home To The Most Famous Croissants In Poland

Rogale Świętomarcińskie are sweet croissants filled with custard made of white poppy seeds, sponge-cake crumbs, sugar, eggs, nuts, almond flavoring, margarine, raisins, and candied fruits. They have the semicircle shape in memory of the horseshoe that was lost by Saint Martin’s horse.

Saint Martin is a patron of rogale świętomarcińskie. According to the legend, the baker from Poznan was inspired by him. He wanted to help the poor people, so he invented these delicious croissants. Then he started giving them for free to those in need.

Every year on November, 11th there is a huge celebration of rogale świętomarcińskie. All citizens of Poznan are eating them. There is even a museum in the city dedicated to these amazing croissants- Rogalowe Muzeum Poznania. They are definitely the first thing that you should try when you think of food in Poznan.

Poznan Is The Only City That Is Mentioned In The Polish Anthem

Polish anthem is a lively song with uplifting lyrics written by Józef Wybicki in the 18th century after the partitions of the country.

What’s interesting, Poznań is the only city mentioned in the anthem. Click on the video below to listen to the entire song with the part about Poznan.

Mazurek Dąbrowskiego (Dąbrowski’s Anthem)

Poznan Is Considered As The Musical Capital Of Poland

Poznan is the most important city in Poland for all the musicians. One of the country’s best choirs are practicing and performing there. Every 5 years, the world-famous violin competition takes place in the city.

Many talented musicians were connected with Poznan. Anna Jantar, that is considered one of the best Polish singers of all time, was born there.

The Country Of Poland Has Its Origin In Poznan

Poland is one of the largest countries in Europe. It wasn’t always that big. The land was expanding slowly in the Middle Ages. Poznan was one of the first Polish cities.

It’s very likely that the baptism of Poland in the 10th century took place in Poznan. There is a great interactive museum in the city- Porta Posnania ichot, where you can learn a lot about Polish history.

Poznan Is One Of The Best Cities To Live In Poland

According to independent rankings, Poznan is the top city to live in Poland. The assessment factors are the economy, society, environment, and politics.

The capital of Greater Poland has good infrastructure. What’s interesting, it’s located very close (closer than Warsaw) to the great European capital- Berlin.

Poznan Has Very Funny Inhabitants

Let’s start with the dialect of Poznan- it’s different than in other parts of Poland and has a strong German influence.

There are many funny stories about Poznan’s citizens. The one I like the most is about the drunk driver who had been stopped by the police. He was afraid that someone from the drunk tank would take away his money (500 PLN), so he… ate it!

The other story that I like is about 92 years old Mrs. Wiktoria. Her birthday wish was to try marihuana (which is illegal in Poland). She said she wasn’t crazy enough when she was young and now it’s time to go wild!

The Cathedral of Poznan Is A Place Of The Final Rest For The First Polish Kings

You are already aware that the country of Poland has its origin in Poznan. You may not know though, that the first Polish king Boleslaw Chrobry and his father Mieszko I (the one who made Christianity an official religion) are buried in the Cathedral of Poznan!

The tombs are available to see everyday except Sundays.

Poznan Is The Most Gay-friendly City In Poland

Poznan is considered as the most gay-friendly Polish city.

Maybe it’s because of the strong German influence, maybe because citizens of Poznan are the least religious in the country. One way or another- I hope this city will be the precursor of good change in Poland.

Poznan Is Famous From The Beer

Lech, produced in Poznan, is one of the most famous Polish beers.

The best shopping mall in the city is located in the former brewery. It’s literally called Stary Browar which in Polish means Old Brewery.

The Best Tourist Attraction of Poznan Is Billy Goats

Two billy goats are hidden in the clock of Poznan’s Town Hall (Ratusz). Every day at midday they are coming out and start a little fight by head butting. Why? Here is the legend:

After the Great Fire, Poznan’s Town Hall with a clock was rebuilt. It was the occasion for celebrating. The feast was supposed to be prepared by a young cook named Pietrek.

He was really excited and he wanted to see everything that was going on at the market square. He thought it was OK to go there for a moment while the meat was roasting.

Unfortunately, he didn’t come back on time and the roast burnt to cinders.  He was terrified and had no idea what to do. He ran to the nearest meadow and stole two billy goats. Pietrek couldn’t keep them still, so they ran away. They started head-butting before the assembled crowd.

The mayor of the city thought it was hilarious and he asked the clockmaker to construct a special mechanism that will play this scene every day. 

Poznan Is Home to Polish Amazon – Allegro

Poznań has a long and interesting trading history. Fairs organized in this city are still famous all over the world.

Only a few people know though that Poznan is the capital of Polish e-commerce and innovations. Amazon is not popular in Poland because of Allegro- the biggest online auction website in the country. It was founded in Poznan in 1999.

If you are looking for a great place to stay in Poznan, check out Sheraton Poznan. It’s a five-star hotel located in the city center, within the walking distance of the Old Town. Ławica airport is only 15 minutes driving away. I’ve been staying in Sheraton Poznan for a weekend and absolutely loved every second of our time there.

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