- located in the western part of Poland, half way between Berlin and Warsaw, inhabited by almost 600,000 people - is one of the oldest cities in Poland. In 2003 this city known as the "Prince Przemysl Stronghold" is going to celebrate 750th anniversary of receiving civic rights. Poznan, which on the one hand has a tradition of many centuries, is also a "young" city. It is a leading academic center in Poland with 19 schools of higher education.
Thanks to its location Poznan has particularly convenient network of road, railway and air connections with the most important cities in Poland and abroad. The new terminal at Poznan-Lawica Airport is one of the most modern facilities of this type in Europe.
The Poznanians are famous for their hard-work, discipline, love for order and economy. Thanks to the academic character of the city it is also the site of numerous cultural events and student life. Local schools are attended by almost 120,000 students from Poland and abroad.

of many years connected with organisational skills helped Poznan to become one of the largest urban complexes in Poland, which is an important scientific, cultural and economic centre.
Poznan is the cradle of Polish state. It is also the historic capital city of Wielkopolska (lit.: "Great Poland"), one of the regions in Poland of the highest economic development levels.
Since 1921 Poznan is the site of the International Trade Fairs whose tradition dates back to the Middle Ages. Every year ITF host over 30 exhibitions which give an opportunity of meetings of Polish and foreign entrepreneurs.
Poznan is also the capital of a Polish self-governmental tradition. Every year it is the venue of National Conference of Municipality and District Leaders, Mayors, Presidents and Marshals. Poznan is also the seat of the Union of Polish Cities and the Union of Polish Rural Municipalities.

The symbol of the city is a Renaissance city hall. It is located in the middle of the Old Market Square and every day at noon two goat figures fight with their horns on its tower. The city hall is also a symbol of the city's independence and its self-governing traditions.
The Old Market Square was laid out in its present shape in 1235 at the time of establishing the settlement of Poznan and since then it has been the centre of the city life. Nowadays it is the favourite meeting place of Poznanians and visitors to our city.
Although the beginnings of the city hall date back to 1310, the present domus consolum (house of councillors) was built in 1555 by an Italian architect, Giovanni Battista Quadro de Lugano at the request of the city council.
The building located in the centre of the Old Market Square is a pearl of Renaissance architecture in Central Europe. It is also one of the most important and the most precious historic sites of the city.
Bas relieves located in the corners of the ground floor arcades represent the virtues which should characterize the city leaders: Patience, Prudence, Love Justice, Faith, Hope, Bravery, and Moderation.
Until the outbreak of the World War Two the city hall was the seat of the city council. Nowadays it houses the Poznan History Museum.