Old Market Square
Old Market Square
4.5
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
2,772 reviews
Excellent
1,856
Very good
783
Average
106
Poor
20
Terrible
7

Rafal W
Skoki, Poland1,395 contributions
Jul 2020
I've been in Poznan countless times before, and any time I'm there, I just have to look around Old Market Square. When I was a kid, I was fascinated with stories and legends, and the one of Poznan's two goats is probably the best known, although, after all these years that has passed I can hardly remember its details. During my time at university I liked going there on weekends for pint or two, and, believe me or not, bud despite of numerous bars, pubs, inns and restaurants that can be find there, sometimes it was not easy to find a free chair. Later on, I started appreciating its architecture, museums, galleries and overall atmosphere. This place was always full of life. Bustling, busy, sometimes overcrowded, other times nearly empty. Sometimes friendly, sometimes dangerous, and like many market squares to the east of Odra River, is distinctly different; I think; compare to those one beyond its western banks. Characteristic for most of the old Polish markets is that the very centre of it is, usually, occupied by town hall and other buildings. Initially wooden one, that in later centuries were replaced by brick ones, with open space running around them allowing movement of goods and people. Poznan's Market Square, set up in 1253, is third biggest market square in Poland, and one of the biggest in Europe. Initially, first buildings erected around the market square were made of wood or were of half-timbered construction, but with fast burgeoning of the citizens, and due to the fires (as in Medieval cities sidewalks were often paved with wood, therefore, conflagrations were common thing in that times) they were replaced in 15th century, with more representative edifices made of bricks. These Gothic houses were in turn, rebuilt in the following centuries, accordingly to the fashion of the day, in Renaissance, Baroque or Classicist styles. All this plethora of styles is still visible there, and vigilant eye can easily differentiate between them, or find traces of earlier styles hidden under subsequent layers left by the hundreds years of development, rebuilding, re-working and changes in tastes. Being in Greater Poland and not seeing this gem is like being in Moscow and not seeing Kremlin, or something between these lines. But seriously, Poznan's Old Market Square it is really nice place to visit. One can just run around it within few minutes, or just lazily wander around it for hours. It's entirely up to you of how much time you wanna spent there, but I'm nearly hundred percent sure that you won't regret it.
Written February 13, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Peter T
Cary, NC3 contributions
Oct 2022 • Solo
The design and set up of the old town in its classic form is a beautiful expression of an old European city. Walking the streets at night it is like you are transformed in time. It is modern enough to be tourist friendly but authentic enough to be a real true experience.
Written November 4, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Jose
San Antonio, TX10 contributions
Dec 2019
The Old Market Square in Poznan is a well friendly and well maintained example of an Old World Town Center. Beautiful architecture and excellent places to visit and eat. At noon the mechanical goats emerge from the tower have been entertaining visitors for hundreds of years. Also has a friendly and helpful Visitor Center.
Written January 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

David R
Wirral, UK321 contributions
Sep 2022
I believe it will ber the end of 2023 before this area will be mostly finished and sadly its hard work getting around the area with JCB Bulldozers and manpower digging. It does mean NO TRAMS go anywhere near the centre but It is still worth a visit. Also the Nearby Opera house is being internally renovated, similair timescale. Dont let this put you off just expect a bit of walking and use good footwear. Their is stuill plenty of areas around the town worth a visit.
Written October 7, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Malgorzata
11,698 contributions
May 2019
A captivating place for lovers of architecture and history. The flourishing of life in the Old Market Square after World War II did not take place until the early 1990s. Currently, the Old Market Square is one of the main tourist attractions of the city. It is containing many attractions and historical buildings, such as: Town Hall, Weighing house, Guardhouse, The Działyński Palace, The Mielżyński Palace, Bamberka water fountain, Fountain of Proserpina, Fountain of Apollo, Fountain of Neptune, Fountain of Mars and a lot of tenement houses with different stylistic values. Very nice place, climatic, a lot of cafes, places where you can sit, relax, eat and drink.Everyone can find something for themselves. A very charming place, really worth visiting.
Written February 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

FlyingAlpaca
Palo Alto, CA65 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
Storybook charm! This large, walkable area is a unique and beautiful sightseeing destination in the middle of the city. Very close to the Croissant Museum and many popular restaurants. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes!
Written January 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Harald Gracholski
Cologne, Germany6,891 contributions
Aug 2020
While Poland has done a lot in the past years to boost its appeal to tourist and promote cities like Warsawa and Krakow, are there still quite a few gems to discover and Posen defintely being one of them. We stopped in Posen for the night en route to Berlin (2,5h away) and were very much surprised by the how well the old town has been preserved and how inviting and picturesque it is. Plenty of nice cafes, gastro bars and restaurants are surrounded by colorful buildings of the 18th and 19th century. While I am surprised that people don't talk about Posen yet, am I absolutely sure that this will change in the near future.
Written September 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Jim S
65 contributions
Oct 2019
Visited here because my wife's grandmother came from here. Were expecting something bleak and post-Communist. This was anything but !Felt Scandinavian to me. Maybe some of those Hanseatic traders brought some paint down this way. Very colorful, quaint, photogenic - not a ton of tourist stuff, but plenty of real Polish food. Plus it's an easy train ride from Berlin. Definitely worth a visit.
Written February 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

FTMDave
Adria, Italy6,230 contributions
Aug 2022
The coloured merchants' houses on all four sides are already stunning. Then add the majestic Town Hall and two rows of gorgeous buildings in the middle part.

Of course merchants no longer live in the merchants' houses - the square is teeming with restaurants & bars.

Watch out that the reconstruction work in the Old Town is still going on (August 2022) and the constant traipsing through improvised gravelly walkways takes the shine off a tiny bit.
Written August 16, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Ned L
Cleckheaton, UK184 contributions
May 2022 • Couples
The square at Poznan is like a smaller version of Kraków or Wroclaw. It's a really beautiful place BUT the square is currently being renovated so it takes the shine off the experience. It's still OK but the workers, wagons and diggers are very noisy and there's now only a small walkway around the square. To put it into context some restaurants have gone from having 40 tables outside to just 5. And as per a previous review It's going to take at least another year or two to finish. Don't let this put you off though because it's a fantastic place with many more great places to have a beer and watch the world go by. We will definitely be back!
Written May 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

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