//
History of Cathedral Island, and the establishment of Poznań. Audioguide and interactive exhibits throughout the tour, and a nice rooftop view.
Porta Posnania is an interactive heritage center in Poznań dedicated to the history of Cathedral Island the most ancient district of the city, in particular, the role that this place played in the times of the formation of the Polish Statehood. The opening took place on May 1, 2014. Porta Posnania consists of two parts: the main concrete building and the 19th century Cathedral Lock, which are connected by a glass footbridge over river Cybina. The Porta Posnania is a brand of the Poznań Historical Heritage Center, a local cultural institution of the city of Poznań, and at the same time is its residence.
© OpenStreetMap contributors
Pałac Arcybiskupi
The palace was built at the same time as the cathedral, but its present shape comes from the 2nd half of 18th century. It is closed to visitors.
Bazylika archikatedralna Świętych Apostołów Piotra i Pawła
St. Peter's and Paul's Cathedral was the first Polish cathedral and is a burial place of 8 Polish dukes and kings from the Piast dynasty including the famous Mieszko I and his son Bolesław the Brave. It was a probable baptism place of Duke Mieszko I and the suspected baptismal font is located here. In the cathedral, pay attention to the chain of chapels around the main aisle, not touched by bombings of 1945. The most precious ones are: the Golden Chapel (with a memorial plaque of Mieszko I and Bolesław the Brave, in the sarcophagus on the right-hand side) and the Holy Cross Chapel.
A late-Romanesque church (with some Gothic features) in the middle of Środka Market Square, nowadays a side-church for the cathedral parish. It is hard to get inside, unless you come approx. a quarter before or after services.
Placed in the former Lubrański Academy - the second oldest (after Kraków) higher school in Poland founded by bishop John Lubrański in 1518. The exhibition shows church art, mostly from the Greater Poland region, from early Middle Ages to present times, coffin portraits and a Treasury. Some interesting exhibits: baptism clothes of the Polish King Jan III Sobieski and a sword (given to the first Poznań bishop Jordan by the Pope Urban IX), used - according to the tradition - by St. Peter to cut off the ear of a Roman soldier shortly after Christ's death.
Our Lady Church was built in late Gothic style (approx. 1430), not very significant for its present shape and values, but important for its role in the 10th century, when in the place the duke's palace and a small chapel were built. The chapel was probably erected one year before the official baptism of Poland. The interior (due to archaeological excavations) is closed for visitors.
The first building on Polish territories built with bricks (before only wooden or stone building were erected) around the year 1188. The church was erected for the Johnnites order, who were running a hospital for the poor people nearby. The entrance is free, but as well limited to moments before or after services. This is also the only place in the city, where holy masses for dead people take place.