Poznań and Licheń Stary

November 20, 2012

Finally getting this post on the air.  On our way back to Gdańsk from Kórnik, we visited the city of Poznań and the Basilica of Our Lady of Licheń.

I asked several people at work "What should we do in Poznań? Or, What is there to see in Poznań?" and I was met with responses of "nothing" and "the goats."  Man, I was in for a great surprise. My co-workers must not be history buffs because Poznań (in my opinion) is as important to Polish culture, religion and statehood as Washington DC is to Americans. There is a LOT of Polish and Prussian history in Poznań and we were not disappointed.

Poznań is one of the oldest Polish cities. In fact, it is where Poland came together for the first time as an actual country in the 10th century.  In the year 966, King Mieszko became the first Christian king of Poland.  His baptism is said to have happened in Poznań. From 1793 to 1918 Poznań was a Prussian city.

Here are some of the fun things we got to see in Poznań:

I think this is a statute of General Dąbrowski, a Polish national hero.  

He came to Poznań in 1806 to raise up a Polish army to take control of Southern Prussia.  

The Polish National Hymn is called "Dąbrowski's Mazurka" and was written two years after Poland was wiped off the map. 

It was written to boost the morale of the Polish legion fighting in Italy during the Napoleonic Wars.

The first line of the song: "Poland has not yet died, so long as we still live"

The old city

We had WONDERFUL hot chocolate here, made in the Aztec style, with lots of hot and savory chili.

The old city hall, or "Ratusz"

Center market outside the ratusz

When the clock strikes noon, two little goats come out and butt heads in front of the clock. 

The legend behind the goats is that some dignitaries were coming to town, and the cooks had burnt the deer that was roasting outside the town hall, so they stole two goats from a nearby field and wanted to cook them instead. The goats got away, and ran up the clock tower and began to fight each other. 

Everyone was much amused by this, and they decided to install mechanical goats that would butt heads when the clock struck the hour.

The big cathedral in town

The lighting was terrible

The bleeding heart of Christ? (or a liberal?)  Not sure....it was creepy

Everything will be OK

More fighting goats

An awesome bicycle

The church on "Cathedral Island" right outside of the old city.

The bones of the first kings and bishops of Poland are said to be buried under the church. 

There's a crypt that you can visit and leave flowers at.

J.P. II, popular as ever

Gorgeous stained glass inside the cathedral

Playing in traffic

The other side of the cathedral

This place was enormous.

I present: the Basilica of Our Lady of Licheń

I think the angels are dancing up there

This Basilica SCREAMED Poland, all over it. There were so many symbols of Poland on the inside and outside, it was incredible. Examples to come.

Gorgeous!

Construction started in 1994 and concluded in 2004. 

It is one of the largest churches in the world and the largest in Poland.

Yep, they're dancing

Nice detail of oak leaves and acorns

Bookstore!

He's got the whole world, in his hands....

I got to hang out in this smaller chapel while I waited for mass to be over.

The front lawn

J.P. II, again.  He came and blessed this place in 1999

The tower is 141.5 m tall (424 feet!)

The Polish national symbol, the Eagle.

Another reason I am glad that I went to learn Polish at FSI. 

Without that training, I would have no idea why these pews are decorated in this manner.

These are not angel's wings.

These are another Polish national symbol, the Hussar Wings, worn by an elite branch of the Polish calvary during the 16th century. 

The wings would make a rustling sound as they rode toward their enemies, intimidating them and spooking their horses!

On the left, Poland Always Faithful

On the right, directly over the altar, I am, which I am

Collages made of rosaries, beads, gold, amber in honor of saints and priests

We're having a good time!