Raczynski Library
Raczynski Library
4.5
9:00 AM - 2:30 PM
Monday
1:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 2:30 PM
Wednesday
1:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 2:30 PM
Friday
1:00 PM - 7:00 PM
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
41 reviews
Excellent
22
Very good
16
Average
2
Poor
1
Terrible
0
Rafal W
Skoki, Poland1,456 contributions
Jul 2020
Neo-classical edifice of Raczynski's Library is located to the west of Poznan's Old Town at the Plac Wolnosci (Freedom Square). Construction of library was financed by Count Edward Raczynski Foundation, and it was first public library built on the Polish territories annexed by Prussia. Erected in years 1822-28 library gathered by year 1939; thanks to donations, purchases of the collections of books from dissolved monasteries and legal obligation of sending of one copy of every book printed on the territory of Grand Duchy of Poznan to the library; vast collection of nearly 200 thousands of books. Most of the books; nearly 90% of the entire collection, was either stolen by German occupational authorities in times of World War II or burned during heavy fights for the city in January of 1945. Out of the entire collection only around 17 thousands books has survived smuggled out of the library by Józef Raczynski, a relative from Courland line of the Raczynski family. Restoring library's building after the damages it sustained during the war took years, and recreating its books collection took decades. Building's architectural style bears close resemblance to Paris' Louvre. Perhaps, because architects responsible for its design, Ch. Percier and P.F. Fontaine were French. Raczynski Library has many branches, here and there around the Poznan, and its reading rooms are always full of students, especially in the afternoons and in the evening. Only in the summer its employees have moment of rest. Also, not all books are available immediately. Most of the library's branches provides free internet access.
Written February 16, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DAL KAUR
50 contributions
Jul 2019 • Family
We didn't get the chance to see the inside of the library but really enjoyed walking around and looking at the beautiful building.
Written July 19, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Neil K
Liverpool, UK828,711 contributions
May 2023 • Friends
Located on Plac Wolnosci are some beautiful buildings ,one of the most eye catching is Raczynski Library .
A great looking building constructed in the Neo Classical style of architecture that's so pleasing on the eye ,constructed between 1822-1828 ,the building was actually funded by the Edward Raczynski Foundation hence the name of the library building ,damaged during World War Two ,in fact the retreating army used explosives to demolish the building with the loss of 90% of the books ,this building was rebuilt in 1953 with a new library wing added between 2010 - 2013 ,it's such a photogenic building and adds to the joy of visiting Plac Wolnosci .
A great looking building constructed in the Neo Classical style of architecture that's so pleasing on the eye ,constructed between 1822-1828 ,the building was actually funded by the Edward Raczynski Foundation hence the name of the library building ,damaged during World War Two ,in fact the retreating army used explosives to demolish the building with the loss of 90% of the books ,this building was rebuilt in 1953 with a new library wing added between 2010 - 2013 ,it's such a photogenic building and adds to the joy of visiting Plac Wolnosci .
Written May 22, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mia
Poznan, Poland19 contributions
Jan 2024 • Solo
It is a good library with a variety of books to borrow - an impressive variety of languages, genres and topics. You can access the computer and internet here, spend some time in a reading room, even work or study.
However, I don’t find it particularly interesting as a tourist attraction. You can have a look at the building and see a small art exhibition inside, but there’s nothing really more to it.
However, I don’t find it particularly interesting as a tourist attraction. You can have a look at the building and see a small art exhibition inside, but there’s nothing really more to it.
Written January 28, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jan W
1 contribution
Nov 2022
Nice place, good books, beautifull architecture - both buildings, old and new. Not only books but also music - you can listen to whatever you want, they have a huge collection of CDs and vinyls. And comfortable armchairs for listeners.
Written December 28, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FTMDave
Adria, Italy7,734 contributions
Aug 2022
Neo-classical building in the bustling Plac Wolnosci (Freedom Square). I only saw it from the outside. Well worth a look while you wander round the square.
Written August 16, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Elena Ciocan
Timisoara, Romania1,721 contributions
Dec 2019
This amazing build hosts the library. During WWII all the books were burned or stolen by the Nazi's.
Written November 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robert O
Rotterdam, The Netherlands6,242 contributions
Jul 2019 • Solo
The library was established in 1828 with financial support of the Raczynski family (Polish nobility). It is in a historic building with a classical style colonnade, centrally located at plac Wolnosci not far from the old market.
Foreigners can also use the library services, after getting registered with an ID (passport). Use of computers with internet access and even a (limited) printing service are free of charge.
Like at most libraries in the world, staff here as well is very friendly, polite and efficient.
Foreigners can also use the library services, after getting registered with an ID (passport). Use of computers with internet access and even a (limited) printing service are free of charge.
Like at most libraries in the world, staff here as well is very friendly, polite and efficient.
Written July 25, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
545medva
Budapest, Hungary3,895 contributions
Jun 2019 • Couples
24 corinth columns are on the front of the building. The architects were French and it looks like the Louvre. It isa huge library, today there is an annex to the building to place all their books.
Written June 24, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kathyey1
Salt Lake City, UT237 contributions
Sep 2018 • Couples
The free walking tour took us to this building. It was closed on the day we were there but it is very impressive from the outside. Definite photo op.
Written September 24, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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