Today is the time to explore Poland together for the first time. Our plan is to leave from Berlin via a fast regional train that goes to Warsaw but stops in Poznan, our goal. In fact a lot of planning went into this including the hotel where we were staying, buying tickets in advance so we are happy when we see that the train is coming, even though with a 10 minutes delay.
So we have time to explore the train station, it looks like a typical communist plaza in front, likely from the East Germany days. Inside the stores are mostly closed though so we make our way to the track to wait for the train.
Of course two minutes before the train is supposed to arrive they switch the track to one that is not easily accesible. We run down to the tunnel and then up on the other track and are in time as the train pulls in for the two minutes stop. Likely there was at least one person that didn’t make it, I guess the Germans really take survival of fittest to the extreme.
The train ride is about two hours and a half so we enjoy the nice seats we have gotten at random when we booked our tickets and the nice views. In about an hour we reach the Oder which is the border with Poland and then we are in, our first time in Poland together.
There are relatively few villages in this section of the track, lots of forest and solar farms though. No use for solar farms today as it is quite cloudy and the forecast is for lots of rain in Poznan. Just our luck.
Arriving in Poznan Glowny it seems we have arrived in the more developed country as the train station is quite futuristic looking. It was completely redone for the Uefa Euro 2012, a much better time when Poland and Ukraine co-hosted the tournament.
We orient ourselves fast and with the weather still holding decide to start in Karol Marcinkowski Park and then move on towards the Old Square. Of course we cannot pass a group of ducks without taking lots of photos but then as the first drops of rain start we decide to move on.
And then the rain really starts falling down. Soon we are soaked even with the umbrella while we stubbornly make our way towards the Old Town passing by some impressive buildings.
We kow pass through the University area and then the Imperial Castle built under German rule in 1910 for the Emperor just a few years before World War 1 and Poland becoming independent.
We then continue on the main boulevard towards the Old Town, we would really enjoy our walk past these impressive buildings if it wouldn’t rain buckets continuously.
And then as we reach the outskirts of the Central Square the rain stops suddenly. We cannot believe our luck and enjoy the Wolności Square, which is surprisingly huge and empty. We are not surprised to learn later that it is used for protests and demonstrations, it looks made for it.
And then we pass the Royal Castle and make our way into the Old Town Square which is described separately and where we spend the majority of the day.
Returning we use a slightly different route passing closer to the Royal Castle built originally for the Polish kings before being destroyed multiple times, last time in World War 2 and rebuilt afterwards.
Near the castle is the impressive Church of St. Anthony of Padua, impressive from the inside in fact as outside it looks quite average. It was completed in the 18th century by the Franciscans who still own it centuries later.
Returning on the magnificent boulevards we can now enjoy the buildings and even look up at the building facades as there is no constant rain to bother us.
As we still have time we take a closer look at the Imperial Castle which is now a public hub for art, exhibitions, and performances close to the university.
Passing through the park we also find the largest surprise of our trip, a lifer bird, a fieldfare. Which is quite courageous and doesn’t care about us trying our best to take photos of it with our phones.
And then we are back at the main train station and after finding our track it is time to wait until the train arrives, on time. And then it is 2:30h back to Berlin where we fall asleep almost immediately after a hectic but beautiful day.
