About Poznań

             Poznań ranks among Poland’s oldest cities. Its origins date back to the 10^th century when a settlement established by Poland’s first dynasty of the Piasts became the principal town of the emerging state. It is in Poznań that Poland is believed to have assumed Christianity ushering the country into the mainstream of Western European civilization and culture. Today, Poznań’s Cathedral on Cathedral Island serves as the eternal resting place of the city’s original rulers.

             Poznań’s countless historical sights bear testimony to its rich history. The most outstanding of them are set on Cathedral Island, in the Old Market Square and at the city’s center. The Old Market Square attracts visitors with its impressive architecture featuring a Renaissance City Hall ringed by historic tenement houses. The place comes to life at night with the remarkable lighting of the City Hall and Old Market Square fountains. Adding to the unique atmo-sphere are customers who descend upon a myriad of restaurants, cafés and pubs. Poznań’s must-see sights include the Baroque Parish Church in the Western frontage of Gołębia Street, a mere stone’s throw from the Old Market Square as well as the imposing early-20th-century Emperor’s Castle erected as the Emperor’s last European residence, which is certain to leave a lasting impression.

             Poznań is known for its robust economy, culture and science. The population of this capital of the Wielkopolska Region has grown to nearly 600,000. Poznań and Wielkopolska are famous for their fru-gality and entrepreneurial spirit. Scores of financial institutions, consultancies, business associations, universities and primary and secondary schools all make this a favorable setting for business pursuits. Poznań’s showcase is its International Trade Fair estab- lished 89 years ago, an annual venue of 80 or so superbly organized international events attracting over 13,000 exhibitors from 70 countries. As a prominent academic and research center, Poznań boasts a student population of 140,000 enrolled in 25 universities. The city’s institutions of higher education excel in molecular physics, applied chemistry, automation and telecommunications. Its students do more than just study: they contribute substantially to the unique atmosphere of this capital of Wielkopolska, making the city a fascinating and bustling metropolis.

             Poznań is among Poland’s key cultural centers. The Malta International Theatre Festival and the Henryk Wieniawski International Violin Competition are just two of its many noteworthy events. Poznań offers hosts of theatres and musical institutions, including a philharmonic, an opera, an operetta, choirs, orchestras and dozens of galleries, museums and exhibition halls. It takes particular pride in the world-renowned Amadeus Chamber Orchestra of the Polish Radio conducted by Agnieszka Duczmal.

             Even today, Poznań commands sufficient infrastructure to hold large sporting events. Its sports venues are conveniently accessible by an efficient public transit system that serves the city proper and its environs. Poznań benefits from its strategic location at a major national and international traffic junction. Its assets include convenient rail, bus and air links. It is flanked by A2 motorway set to connect it with Poland’s western border by 2011.

             In December 2008, Poznań held the United Nations Conference on climate change attended by an estimated 12,000 participants from 190 countries. In late  December 2009 and early January 2010, Poznań saw another major event, the 32^nd European Youth Meeting organized by Taize Community. The gathering brought together over 30.000 young people from around the world. Poznań passed the test as event organizer with flying colors while the capital of Wielkopolska demonstrated it is a magical place worth returning to again and again. Visitors to Poznań find a wide range of suitable accommodations. The city’s fine hotels, pensions and hostels offer the combined capacity of over 20,000 and growing every year. Poznań is a visitor-friendly town of celebrated history and amazing sights placed in an unforgettable setting. It is truly a place to live.

Sport in Poznań

Each year, the city appropriates more than 6 percent, or the European Union’s average, of its budget to sports and recreation. Sports, recreation and active living play a central role in the lives of Poznań residents. Its inhabitants eagerly participate in sports competitions and sporting events of various kinds. One of them, the Poznań Marathon, attracts several thousand contestants a year which makes it the country’s largest event of its kind. A good example is set by the city officials, including the Mayor and Deputy Mayor, both of whom regularly compete in the run.

             Poznań’s investments extend to competitive sports. Its highly popular team, Lech Poznań, enjoys the country’s highest fan turnout.

             Poznań athletes compete in top-level women’s and men’s basketball, field hockey, American football, boxing and rugby tournaments. The local volleyball, football and handball players are close to entering the national elite. The city takes pride in its outstanding kayakers, rowers, track-and-field athletes, tennis players and fencers who successfully represent it at home and abroad.

                Poznań holds dozens of prestigious yearly international sporting events as well as several hundred national and regional ones. In addition to regular competitions in horse riding, tennis, volleyball, track-and-field and handball, the city holds annual world and European championships and world cups in popular events in a range of age groups. In 2009 Poznań’s received contenders in the Canoe World Cup, the World rowing Master’s Championship and the European  Men’s Basketball Championship. In 2010 Poznań hosted among other tournaments World Canoeing Championships. The upcoming events include except for European Open Bridge Championships, Men’s and Women’s Indoor Hockey World Championship (2011), World Homeless Street Football Championship (2013). The city carefully prepares for its most prominent event: the UEFA EURO 2012™ Football Championship.

             The capital of Wielkopolska is the perfect place to live, work and pursue sports. The centrally located Malta Regatta Course, the Municipal Stadium which grows more magnificent every day, the Arena Spectator Sports Hall, the city’s multiple stadiums, playing fields, swimming pools, tennis courts and beautiful recreational areas are an incentive to spending one’s time actively.

Photos by Bernard Guziałek, Mariusz Forecki and Kazimierz Fryś. Move your mouse over the photo to see the details.