Walk through Poznań, without leaving the park

Poznań is surrounded by three circles of green. They are leftovers from the city's former fortifications. Unfortunately, the smallest one - where the medieval walls stood - hardly survives. Today only a few lawns, squares and Park Chopina on Ulica Podgórna remain. But the parks established on the sites of the former Prussian fortifications mean you can walk right through the city almost without needing to leave the shade of the trees. Start from the Cytadela (the Citadel) and head south-west along Aleja Niepodległości. This is one of the busiest streets in the centre of the city, but also, due to the plane trees that grow alongside it, a natural treasure. Where the plane trees stop you enter Park Moniuszki which has a bust of the composer at the entrance.

After passing Ulica Libelta you reach the Teatralka Park. The park behind the Opera features in the novels by Małgorzata Musierowicz. In winter it's a popular place for sleighing. In summer, Adam Mickiewicz Park, located in front of the Opera is more popular. The park owes its popularity to its huge lawn where people usually lie and enjoy the sun, and the possibility of dipping your feet in the fountain. In front of the Adam Mickewicz University buildings there is a commemorative bench with a bronze of Heliodor Święcicki - the first chancellor of this university.

On the other side of Święty Marcin, Park Karola Marcinkowskiego starts. It covers an area of almost 10 hectares. There is a children's playground and a water feature with a peacock sculpture by Anna Krzymańska, and Fort Colomb - a pub arranged in former fort IV, in the so-called Colomb Bastion. It's not far from here to Park Dąbrowskiego, known by Poznań dwellers as Kulczykpark. The park surrounds the Stary Browar Shopping Centre that belongs to Grażyna Kulczyk.

This is where the park route ends, but you can continue your walk along Ulica Krakowska or Ulica Królowej Jadwigi till you reach the Warta river. Walking along the river, passing by Most Świętego Rocha (St. Roch Bridge) you eventually reach Most Bolesława Chrobrego (Bolesława Chrobrego Bridge). Taking Ulica Estkowskiego, Garbary and Północna and passing through a tunnel you'll find you are at the Cytadela (the Citadel) - back where you started, and, with a few exceptions - always among the green.

More similar tips: "Zrób to w Poznaniu. Przewodnik alternatywny. Do it in Poznań. Alternative guide"