Must see in Poznań: St. Martin Street
Imperial Castle, Poznań / Flickr.com / Oleg Kozitsyn
Imperial Castle
Emperor's William II Castle is the most magnificent building on St. Martin Street. It was supposed to be the last imperial residence in Europe and represents the 1000-year history of German presence in the land of Great Poland. Instead, it became a symbol of over 100-year Prussian domination over the city. A Neo-Romanesque irregularly shaped polygonal building was built in the place of the city's fortification between 1905 and 1910. The walls of the castle are faced with sandstone, stylistically alluding to Romanesque architecture of Southern and Western Europe. On the walls of the castle were placed the figures of characters from Grimm Brothers' Tales: on Independence Avenue (Aleje Niepodległości) side there are the Wolf and Little Red Riding Hood, on Kościuszki Street side there is Hansel and Gretel supporting a balcony. Originally the castle consisted of two wings: the western, the residential one, and the eastern, the state one, with the Throne Room alluding to Byzantine basilicas. The castle made the main accent of the castle district.
German urban planner, professor Joseph Stübben, marked out a stylish street which was to circle the city centre of Poznan - at present Independence Avenue (Aleje Niepodległości) and Queen Jadwiga Avenue (Królowej Jadwigi). Making a reference to Vienna and Cracow, this street along with the parks and green squares adjacent, was to serve as a promenade. In the place of the former Tietzen Fort, situated between the no longer existing Royal Gate and Berlin Gate, a large public park was planted (today - Mickiewicz Park), surrounded by magnificent buildings.
The emperor stayed at the castle only twice. After World War I and Poland's regaining of independence in 1918 it became the seat of Poznan University. During World War II the castle was redesigned and became Adolf Hitler's residence. His study has been preserved until today, being a copy of Führer's Berlin study, with a balcony built on the tower especially for him. At that time a fine entrance from St. Martin Street was added as well. The castle avoided being destroyed during or after World War II. German symbols and inscriptions were removed only, the castle's tower has not been restored to its original state either (today it is lower).
Nowadays the castle is the seat of "Zamek" Community Centre, Animation Theatre and Museum of Poznan's June 1956. In the castle's courtyards during the summer many culture events take place such as concerts and film screening.