Poland is now becoming one of the most popular holidays destinations for both short breaks and longer stays.

Poland is a country of contrasts. Zakopane with its mountains, Warsaw and Krakow bustling cities with strong cultural histories and the Polish Riveria with its white sands around Gdansk.

But as well as these tourist ‘must go to’ spots Poland has some beautiful hidden gems that are bursting with culture, history and tales of the past.

Poznan and Gniezno are two of Poland’s oldest cities with a history that dates back over a thousand years. From the ancient cathedral, where the first king of Poland was crowned, to the only interactive heritage centre in the country there is so much art, history and culture waiting to be discovered.

Accessible by direct flights from the UK, Poznan has an excellent choice of modern hotels. The Novotel Centrum is a new spacious hotel with excellent facilities. The highest and tallest in Poznan its within walking distance of the old town and most of the places you will want to explore on your visit

The hotel is opposite the award winning Stary Browar – a unique shopping and cultural centre, formerly an old brewery, with over 200 shops, an art gallery, restaurants, bars and performance spaces and its own park. A great place to catch up with the contemporary side of the city, indulge in some retail therapy, sample a cocktail or two before a relaxed meal.

Poznan boasts the youngest castle in Europe built for a crowned monarch. Erected in 1910 for Kaiser Wilhelm it is now the Zmek Cultural centre with marble staircases, miles of polished wood corridors and a terrace overlooking the gardens and opera house created for Augusta his wife
.
Nearby is the Enigma Cipher Centre, a multi-media interactive museum which tells the true story of breaking the cipher of the German secret machine which had its origins in Poznan.

Here you can learn about the art of ciphering, encryption and even do a short course in cryptology plus see one of the original enigma machines at close quarters. But allow plenty of time for your visit to enjoy all the unique ‘hands on’ learning experiences.

From here walk or take a or a short tram ride into the old town. It’s the perfect place to sit and watch the world go by with cobbled streets, monuments, fountains, colourful merchants houses, cafes, restaurants and the 16th century Renaissance town hall with its golden goats that butt heads twice a day.

But if you are looking for a fun experience in the old town head to the Poznan Croissant Museum and learn the history behind the famous Saint Martin’s Croissant and even put on an apron to help to make one of these sweet treats.

The oldest part of Poznan is Cathedral Island, where 1050 years ago the history of Poznan and the Polish statehood began. Start your exploration of Cathedral Island at Porta Posnania – Polands first interactive heritage centre.

From here a small bridge takes you to the Archcathedral Basilica of St Peter and St Paul, the oldest cathedral in Poland. Built in 968 the first rulers of Poland are buried and commemorated here by The Golden Chapel.

In the cathedral vaults you’ll find preserved relics of the medieval temple and if you are brave enough climb to the viewpoint of one of the cathedral towers – but be warned its not for the faint-hearted.

No stay in Poznan is complete without visiting the Rogalin Palace about 10km from the city accessible by bus, taxi or one of the specially organised guided tours.

Set in beautiful parkland this is one of the most magnificent mansions in Poland. It dates back to the 18th century and the palace interiors have been lovingly recreated showing the Rasczybski residence as it was in the 1930’s.

The mansion also houses the impressive Rogalin painting gallery home to over 300 works of art of Polish artists which sit side by side with works of art by foreign painters .

You can easily spend all day at Rogalin. Walk round the intricately laid out Rococo Garden, visit the Coach House and see the 800 year old Oak tree – the oldest in Poland or just relax and take in the beauty of the park.

A 40 minute train journey from Poznan is Gniezno known as the first capital of Poland and where exactly one thousand years ago Boleslaw The Brave, the first of five Polish kings was crowned at the Gniezno Cathedral.

The cathedral, the third one to be built on this site, stands on Royal Hill the oldest part of the city dating back to the 14th century.

According to legend Gniezno was founded many centuries before by Lech and his statue can be seen overlooking the lake

Statues are part and parcel of a visit to the city odds are you’ll spot them in the most unlikely places with small statues of rabbits in various guises that are part of Chase The Rabbit a mobile app specially designed to guide you round the city on its Royal Trail.

Gniezno boasts one of the biggest squares in Poland and has been reconstructed to look like it did in the past. In the square you’ll be spoilt for choice by the selection of restaurants, bars and cafes perfect for alfresco dining.

The town is famous for its festivals and fairs ranging from arts and film to the Royal Coronation Slavic Culture Festival with its medieval reconstructions. But if you are around in April on St Adalbertus Day, the city’s patron saint, there’s a grand religious procession and flamboyant fair.

Poznan and Gniezno both have dedicated trails for sightseeing but there is a problem – one visit is just not enough to savour and appreciate everything in these two cultural gems of Poland.

For further details visit: www.poland.travel and www.visitpoznan.pl.
Picture Credit: Poznan: Adan Ciereszko Visit Poznan and Gniezno Pictures by Artur Krysztofiak.