Today post is about Poznań, and it can only mean that it’s the last post related to my summer trip. You can see here two castles and the isle that turns to be the cradle of Polish history.

Museum of Applied Arts in Poznań

The first castle that I saw is the one that was a royal castle in 13th century. Today it’s the Museum of Applied Arts and I honestly recommend visiting it because it’s a historical place with the pretty view for the city and this special exposition that I’m presenting below can make you travel through all epoques starting from Middle Ages, ending in the modern world after 1945. All those things are really beautiful but rococo was my favorite… Don’t hesitate to tell me your favorites!

It all starts in Middle Age. Later we go to Armory, and further there is the room all about Renaissance. This is when people started collecting things, and they were parted in four groups:

1. Naturalia,
2. Scientifica,
3. Exotica,
4. Artificialia.

In others words, things that were natural curiosities, related to science, religion or exotic East.

Baroque is the next part of the exposition. Here you have a traditional Polish outfit for men and well…. In 17th century Poland was huge and multicultural. It also meant religious diversity. And you can find it all there.

Rokoko was my fav room. It was so gentle, but elegant. So fun and simply beautiful…

There was such an object was placed in the middle of the table just for fun and conversation, I’ve read…

Yep, that’s me. Btw… I hope you understand now why it was my fav part!

Classicism, Empire & Biedermeier is next room we go to. You can see there differences between these styles below.

I have never seen it all put together like that, and I must admit that it made me understand differences more.

First Museums in Poznań. That’s the next part of this exposition. You can see objects related with it there. But there are also things called Judaica.

Historism

It means that people were inspired by past centuries and styles. And it happened in 19th century.

Leon Wyczółkowski’s Collection

This is a painter and you will see some of his works in the further part of this post. He was collecting quite random things but it was always useful in his work. I mean he painted some of these things…

Far East

Original samurai’s armor? Yes. That’s what you can find there. And more!

The Presentation of Clothes

We can see here the transformation of fashion in less than 100 years. Starting in 80s of 19th century, ending in 60s of 20th century. That outfit with striped blouse shows the fashion of 90s in USA. Just thought it’d would be nice to mention…

Secession

After the historism the need to create something new and fresh was really strong and this is what secession was.

20s & 30s of 20th Century is the last room. There are also object from After 1945 times, and then there is Modern Unique Polish Applied Arts.

When we’re done, we go to The Treasury that is placed in the basements.

If you feel like you need to learn more and see more… Well, I can only tell you to visit Poznań.

The Imperial Castle in Poznań

The second place where I went to happened to be the second castle. It was the imperial castle build for the Prussian emperor Wilhelm II. It was built in 1904-1910 and then it was being renewed during World War II for Adolf Hitler but he didn’t ever been there because such things always last longer than wars… And it wasn’t fully finished before the end of war… So, the place that I can show you today got its shape mainly during the WWII and these rooms are empty because it’s the Palace of Culture, not the museum. So, feel free to go there, borrow audioguides and learn more walking around.

Hello! I felt a bit sick there, but I guess you can’t tell!

That’s the original throne but it was in another place during imperial days…

That’s the elevator made for Hitler so he could escape to the bunker in case it was needed but he bunker was never even made… But the elevator survived everything and is doing alright!

Emperor’s bedroom was behind this door and views from it. During the war it was meant to be Hitler’s bedroom. While the Ash Room was a hall and that’s where we’re standing now.

Here we have furniture from the very first period of this castle existence. These are copies of objects that were originally made in Middle Ages. The whole castle looked like this because the emperor had such a vision…

These rooms used to be emperor’s apartment but it looks a bit different now…

That’s the history of Poland made after the war and these dates and events are very selective… That’s because of communism. Also, the whole castle hasn’t changed too much after the war because those symbols that Nazi used were still valid, you know.

Balcony was made for Hitler to give speeches. It was even heated. I mean the floor. So, no matter the weather, he could stand there anytime. But as you probably remember now, it never happened in the end.

There is also the room where you can see more objects related to the history of this castle. It’s not museum after all, but it’s nice to see a bit of history like that too!

In one of rooms we have two such wardrobes that were used during the war. It was a waiting room to Arthur Greiser’s office.

I recommend to see old pictures of the chapel in the multimedia library. It turned into two floors and Adolf Hitler’s office during WWII. The most of time you have to use some imagination to see it the way it used to be…

You can go to the so called Fireplace Room – Hitler’s Office. And Arthur Greiser’s office. But yeah… These rooms are called like that, but they are empty!

This is where my first day in Poznań ended.

Ostrów Tumski

This is how the little isle which is the oldest part of Poznań is called. In Old Polish it literally means the cathedral isle. This is where the first historical Polish ruler Mieszko I had his home and it’s probably the place where Poland was baptized in 10th century. But the history starts in 9th century when Poznan found the city that has his name now. Then he simply started the settlement and I bet he never imagined what it would turn into…

So, let me show you one of those places that are believed to be roots of Poland now.

That’s the interactive exposition in the Gate of Poznań where you can learn more about this city. Totally recommended.

Then you go through this glassy bridge to Cathedral Lock. It was one of pieces of the fort that was built here in 19th century. Now this modern bridge is replacing the original one that was destroyed during the war.

It’s the place of temporary expositions. Because you know, it’s the gallery now. Here I’m adding such two symbolical photos from the last 5th room. It was just about the history of Poznań and it was super interesting to me.

When we go further into the isle, we can find Genius Loci. That’s the archaeological reserve where you can find the piece of burgh walls from 10th century.

You can see there city walls from 16th century… And pieces of gold… And other treasures…

And there are reconstructions of faces of people who were buried there 10 centuries ago…

This is how tall it was… I mean the wooden wall!

Another building. It was a Lubrański’s Academy founded in 16th century. It wasn’t an university because it would mean a competition to Kraków, you know. Right now it’s a Archdiocesan Museum with some shiny treasures and religious form of art from part centuries…

What can you see there? A very interesting room full of gifts from donors… Ball gown from 20s… As I’ve promised previously, Leon Wyczółkowski’s paintings. You can find there some places from Warsaw, Kraków and Poznań on his paintings.

You won’t believe this… Things that are related to the king Jan Sobieski (17th century). You can find it there as well!

Coffin portraits that are very typical when it comes to baroque and Sarmatism… Yeah, that’s there too.

Hello! I can’t resist when the room is empty, and there is such an old mirror…

St. Peter’s Sword… Another thing that you can see there. The first Polish reliquary given to Poland by the pope. But in fact… It was probably made in 10th century and such things were unfortunately happening quite often in Middle Ages. People were kinda producing reliquaries and if you know Leigh Bardugo’s books, then I guess you know what I have in mind right now…

After that I went for a little walk around the isle with audioguide again. So, here are some of the photos that I’ve taken then.

This is one of the oldest churches in Poland. First kings and rulers were buried there.

Here’s another church but there was a prince’s residency in 10th century before. These glassy contours show the shape of it. And it was made of stone! If you know what I mean…

And more buildings. Psaltery next to the church. There were singing psalms like… Literally all the time…

Golden Chapel with Mieszko I and Bolesław Chrobry’s tomb/sarcophagus. Father (the prince who baptized Poland) and his son (first historical king). That white thing in the right is that.

Archbishop’s palace.

Now let me show you few random photos of Poznań for the end because I’m almost done.

Old Town.

Old Brewery. That’s the shopping center now.

So, that’s it! I hope you liked all these three posts about my summer trip. But don’t think that it’s all! There are still five more travel posts to come in the nearest future! I’ve went to three places in Warsaw and there was a trip to Zakopane and Kraków this month. So, it’s time to create such photo-reports now! Stay tuned.

Love,

A.A.