The Imperial District
This collection of grand buildings was constructed in the early 20th century under the direction of German Emperor Wilhelm II. At the core of the district lies the castle — the youngest royal residence in Europe, initially commissioned by Emperor Wilhelm II and later repurposed as Adolf Hitler’s residence during World War II. It’s said that during this time, a balcony with a heated floor was added to the tower. Today, the castle serves cultural functions, housing the “Zamek” Cultural Centre, Animation Theatre, Palace Cinema, and the Museum of Poznań’s June 1956 — a pivotal workers’ uprising against Poland’s government at the time. Some areas of the castle are accessible to visitors, including a room featuring the original double throne of a German emperor.
In front of the castle stands a monument honoring M. Rejewski, H. Zygalski, and J. Różycki — cryptologists credited with breaking the Enigma code. Nearby, the interactive Enigma Museum delves into various ciphers, the Enigma machine itself, and the efforts to crack its code. You can visit it with an audioguide.
The Imperial District also encompasses the Collegium Minus (currently the rector’s office of Adam Mickiewicz University), the Collegium Maius (now a university building and the former seat of the Colonization Commission, tasked with increasing the number of German settlers in Greater Poland), and the Opera House—a splendid neoclassical structure adorned with a statue of Pegasus.
