Pretty, Pretty Poznan, Poznan, Poland

Located in the Greater Poland region of Wielkopolska, Poznań, the regional capital is one of the largest cities in Poland, yet simultaneously relatively unheard of and under the radar in comparison to Krakow, Warsaw or Gdańsk. Poznań (Posen) boasts all the same fascinating history, vibrant architecture and delicious food as found in the more popular destinations, yet is practically tourist-free. 

As a neighboring country to Germany, we opted for driving to Gdańsk to visit a friend and choosing to break up the drive by spending one night in this pretty city. It allowed us to stretch our legs by walking around the historic city center, grab some grub and learn about the intriguing history and architecture while being able to peruse the food market happening in town that day. However, I underestimated its beauty and size and realize now we could have easily spent a minimum of two full days here.

The name Poznań derives from a personal name meaning “Poznan’s town”, however it could also come from the verb poznać, which means “to get to know” or “to recognize,” so it may also mean “known town”. During the 8th century, a stronghold by the name of Polan stood between the Warta and Cybina rivers, on what is now known as Ostrów Tumski (Cathedral island). ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).