Welcome to Poznan, Poland's fifth largest city.
I have to hold my hands up here and admit that at the time of booking my flight, I really didn't expect to find much here - how wrong could I have been!?
This city has a vibrant energy and buzz much similar to other much larger cities like Berlin and Sofia. There appears to be an exciting cultural scene and as I guest in their city, the locals couldn't have made me feel more welcome.
The main square (or "Stary Rynek") is a beautiful medieval cobbled affair hosting the city's main attraction - its town hall. On his 'New Europe' series, Michael Palin visits here to see the two mechanical goats, a symbol of the city, clash their horns at noon above the clock on it's spire.
In June 1956, the first major protest against the Soviet regime took place in Poznan. This giant monument stands in memory of the factory workers and others which lost their lives during the unrest. It sits on the edge of a beautiful park nestled between Poznan's main theatre and concert halls and looks especially impressive at night.
A short walk across the road from the monument is a museum dedicated to the same event. It features a really impressive interactive exhibition as well as a collection of these communist posters - possibly some of the most visually awesome examples that I have seen to date...
Are they cacti or are you just pleased to see me? Poznan's botanical gardens were a welcome break from the cold outside. The aquarium that lies underground is also a must see with some fish literally as big as me!
I took this photo from a distance in a bar called 'Proletariat' on one of the main streets in town. It is crammed to the rafters with socialist memorabilia. Part of me wanted to steal the Misha (1980 Moscow Olympics Mascot) figure for myself. If you're ever around in Poznan I recommend a pit stop in here - its always busy and popular with the locals. You shouldn't have too much trouble finding it as the 8-foot bust of Stalin sitting in the window is a big enough sign to look out for!
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