Have fun being interactive in Poznań, Poland

The city of Poznań has been at the centre of several important events; the Christening of Poland, solving the German Enigma code and the invention of St Martin’s Croissant. Visitors are invited to interact with cultural institutions representing these events – and have fun.

The historical heart of Poznań lies on an island between its two rivers the Warta and one of its tributaries, the Cybina. Known as Cathedral Island (Ostrów Tumski), this is where the country’s first king, Mieszko I, built the first church. When Mieszko began his reign during the tenth century, Poland was a pagan country. In order to avoid being absorbed into the Roman Empire he decided to baptize himself as a Christian even though it meant he had to reduce the number of his wives to just one. Following his baptism Mieszko built Poland’s first Christian church, the Archcathedral Basilica of St. Peter and St. Paul. Dating back to the tenth century it is the oldest cathedral in Poland. This cathedral was partially rebuilt after it was damaged during the Second World War. Inside is the nineteenth-century Golden Chapel a memorial to the first rulers of Poland. The graves of these first rulers, King Mieszko 1 and his son Boleslaw the Brave are in the crypt of the cathedral. Other buildings on the island include a gothic Psalterium, the Palace of the Archbishop and three museums. But before exploring these buildings a visit to the Poznań Gate is recommended.

Poznań Gate in Poznań

The Poznań Gate (Brama Poznańia) is an interactive centre allowing visitors to explore the history of Cathedral Island. The main focus here is the cathedral itself by way of an immersive exploration of the changes that have taken place here during the past one thousand years. There are four main galleries but no defined route as visitors are invited to wander at will through an array of modern audio visual technology – assisted by an audio guide. Highlights include the baptism of King Mieszko and the recreation of the Golden Chapel. Touch screens and monitors allow visitors to meet the greatest representatives of the Renaissance connected with Poznań and wander through the state rooms of the aristocracy at the touch of a button. The audio guides (included in the entrance fee) can then be used when exploring the real buildings outside. In the city centre visitors can learn how the Enigma Code was broken by students at Poznań University, through another interactive experience at the Enigma Cipher Centre.

The Enigma Cipher Centre in Poznań

The breaking of the German Enigma Code was essential for the Allies victory during the Second World War. And it was here, in Poznań that work began on cracking this code ten years before war broke out. In 1929 the Cipher Bureau of the Polish Army decided to use mathematics to break foreign codes. The bureau approached the University of Poznań which subsequently established a secret course on cryptology for the best students of mathematics. Three mathematicians were selected from participants on this course, Marian Rejewski, Henryk Zygalski and Jerzy Różycki. Not long after, they had a chance to work on the German Enigma code.

Once the code had been broken the three mathematicians required a machine to test it and appealed to other European countries for help. They were working in France when it was … and they were moved to England where they continued their work. Sadly, one of them, Jerzy Różycki, did not survive the war. But the other two, unsung heroes, did lived relatively quiet lives thereafter. It was only in 2017 that the enormity of their contribution to the Allies’ success in the Second World War was fully appreciated and the idea of a museum was first discussed. The first monument to the three mathematicians had been unveiled in 2007 and stands outside the building where they worked on the code.

Finally, in 2021 the Enigma Cipher Centre opened in Poznań occupying part of the building where the men originally started working on the Enigma code. This building once again belongs to the University having been used for a variety of different purposes in between. The Centre is an extraordinary place. It presents the story of different methods of encrypting messages that have developed since Roman runners carried messages between their legions. There is plenty of opportunity for interaction, trying to solve cipher puzzles. It relates the story of the Second World War and illustrates how the developments during that period prepared the way for our digital world. Audio guides are available, and recommended, to get the best from this Centre – an interesting visit any time but ideal for whiling away a rainy day. Next, a sweet treat.

The Croissant Museum of Poznań

The Croissant Museum in Poznań is not a museum in the normal sense of the word but a live experience relating to a local favourite, the St Martin’s Croissant (rogal świętomarciński). Originally this sweet treat was only eaten on 11 November which is St Martin’s Day in Poznań as well as Independence Day, celebrated throughout the country. This tradition revolves around a legend relating to St Martin, a Roman soldier and a Roman Catholic saint. One winter’s day, as St Martin was entering Amiens with his army, he saw a beggar dressed in rags. He dismounted from his white horse and taking his sword cut his soldiers cape (his whole fortune) in two. He gave one half of the cape to the beggar.

Nine centuries later a baker in Poznań, Walenty, heard this story and decided he too should perform a good deed. The night before an annual fair in the town he heard the clatter of horses’ hooves outside his house. When he looked out, he saw a knight in old-fashioned armour on a grey horse. A horseshoe was lying on the snow covered road nearby. Walenty was inspired by this encounter and decided he would bake a pastry in the shape of a horseshoe with a poppy seed filling. After mass the following morning he gave these pastries or rogals to the poor. The townsfolk were so impressed the baking of these rogals or croissants became a tradition but were only baked 11 November. The were filled with white poppy seeds and bakalie (figs, walnuts, hazelnuts, raisins, orange and lemon peel). After Walenty died other bakers carried on this tradition, the ingredients of the filling a closely guarded secret.

Legend or not, it is a fact that in 1891 that in 1891 Walenty suggested the idea of St Martin’s rogals to his boss and they were baked and handed out to the poor on 11 November. Today the rogals are only baked in certified bakeries and they are available all year. They are also celebrated by interactive shows in the Croissant Museum (not available Mondays and Bank Holidays). Participants can volunteer to assist in the creation of the St Martin’s croissant. This educational, comic experience will enhance any visit to Poznań. Especially as the museum is housed in a beautiful Renaissance tenement house in the Old Market Square with a view of the Town Hall. Book a session that coincides with the chiming of the town hall clock (midday and 3 pm) and watch the goats butting heads. But the entrance to the museum is via a side street at the back of the building.

After a day's sightseeing head for the Old Market Square and admire the beautiful buildings that surround it while sipping a drink or enjoying a meal at one of the cafes or bars there. Or, if you are looking for a craft beer you will find a good selection in the Stacja Café and Pub just around the corner on Ulica Wozna. 

To find out more about each of these attractions click on the name: Poznań Gate  Enigma Cipher Centre  Croissant Museum

This article is also featured on GPSmyCity. To download this article for offline reading or create a self-guided walking tour to visit the attractions highlighted in this article, go to Walking Tours and Articles in Poznan