Saturday, March 12, 2011

Poland - Ostrów Tumski, Poznan



















Ostrów Tumski, the island surrounded by the River Warta and its tributary, the Cybina. Initially, this was a small settlement outside the city walls, controlling the river crossing. It appears to have become the capital when moment Poland adopted the Christian faith in 966. It is also said that Poznań was the site of Mieszko I's conversion to Christianity. The settlement was protected by huge wooden and earth embankments, reinforced with stones. Here on the card you can see the Cathedral of Sts. Peter and Paul. Inside these are buried the first kings and princes of Poland. In the distance is a red multi-storey building which houses the University of Poznan where my friend Pawel studies.