Museum of Old Poznań
There are dozens of museums and museum-style venues in Poznań, and recently a new one has joined the list — and it is truly exceptional.
If you think history is all about dry dates and empty rooms, the Museum of Old Poznań may surprise you — right from the very entrance. Your visit begins with an unusual task: you are invited to strike your own ticket in the form of a coin — a denarius of Bolesław the Brave, bearing the name Poznań for the very first time. And beware — it is not as easy as it looks!
The exhibition is more than a chronological overview of the city’s past. It is a story full of characters, legends and plot twists, woven together like a good film. Visitors encounter the legend of Lech, Czech and Rus — three wandering brothers whose choices, according to tradition, led to the name of Poznań.
Further on, well-known historical figures appear: Mieszko I, who accepted Christianity and set Poland on its European path, and Bolesław the Brave, for whom Poznań was one of the most important centres of power.
But that is not all — there are also stories with a darker edge. Legends of the Golem, said to have protected the Jewish community until its fate spiralled out of control, as well as tales of scholars and visionaries connected with the city, add another layer to the narrative.
The entire exhibition feels like a walk through the centuries, where the everyday lives of Poznań’s former inhabitants intertwine with great decisions and myths that shaped Greater Poland and the Polish state — all told with energy and a touch of humour.
The Museum of Old Poznań is located just 250 metres from the Old Market Square, in the very heart of the historic city centre. It is an excellent starting point for visitors wondering what to see in Poznań and wishing to put the city’s history into context before exploring further.
Thanks to its proximity to Poznań’s most important landmarks, the museum works perfectly as an introduction to guided tours of Poznań. After a visit, it becomes much easier to understand the places you pass while walking through the Old Market Square, Ostrów Tumski or the city’s former districts.
As part of the Go2Poznań offer, the museum can serve as the first stop on a themed walk or on the classic route “Poznań — the Cradle of Poland”. It is a great option both for first-time visitors and for those looking for a deeper insight into the city’s history while exploring Poznań with an experienced local guide.
