A walk around the Św. Łazarz (Saint Lazarus) of Poznan
Wilda, Jeżyce and Łazarz are 3 districts in Poznań (in the Poznań dialect Fyrtle), which are worth visiting while in Poznań.
Łazarz (Lazarus) is located south-west of the city center and many visitors will visit this district first. Although they are not always aware of it. The main railway station is located in Łazarz. Outside the city center, Łazarz also borders with Górczyn, Grunwald, Raszyn, Jezyce, Wilda and Dębiec.
History of Łazarz
Łazarz was attached to Poznań in 1900 together with the area of today’s Wilda. For this reason, the architecture of these two (plus Jeżyce) districts is very similar to each other. In addition, most of the buildings come from the same period – so it is quite consistent. Although it is not known for how long. Currently, the district is undergoing a revitalization process (it is partly related to a generational change). As a result of this process (and the privatization process), many tenement houses have changed owners in recent years. The new owners renovate old tenement houses, do nothing with them or demolish them (e.g. next to Wilson Park, in the place of old buildings, modern buildings are being built – quite nice, but out of place). In practice, however, it causes many buildings (until recently vacant) to regain their long-lost splendor.
The name of Łazarz comes from the old hospital of St. Lazarus (existing from the 1660s) and the church of st. Lazarus (Lazarus = Łazarz in Polish). From what I have read, practically the district and a fragment of Wilda are located in the area that once belonged to this no longer existing hospital. In the 18th century, Bambrzy began to settle in this area. And no, it is not about Polish peasants, but about German settlers from the vicinity of Bamberg.
One of the last mementoes of those times is the house of the last village administrator, Adam Jeski, located at 37 Głogowska Street. The building is now in a terrible condition. The lack of renovation and the fire in 2011 contributed to this.
At the beginning of the 20th century, buildings were built in the area of Matejki and Małecki streets. Buildings in the vicinity of the first of these streets have rich eclectic forms, while the second one is slightly more modest in its forms
It was at that time that Łazarz began to divide into two parts (eastern and western), the axis of which became Głogowska Street. In the eastern part, you can find much more modest houses belonging to railwaymen, especially around ul. Railway.
Ważniejsze miejsca na mapie Łazarza
Z pewnością w tym miejscu warto wymienić:
Main railway station
Poznań Główny Railway Station is currently connected with the Avenida Shopping Center and the PKS Bus Station. The Western Railway Station is also nearby. Therefore, this place is called the Integrated Communication Center.
Łazarski Market Square
This is one of the commercial markets in Poznań (Rynek Łazarski). In 2021, its renovation (whose task was to modernize the market) was completed. It turned out average as usual. The market is interesting, a bit strange. The rental is said to be more expensive and the stalls are smaller (previously the seller had to have 1, today 2). So clearly something did not work out.
International Poznan Trades
The International Poznan Trades (pol. Między Narodowe Targi Poznańskie), unlike most cities, is practically located in the city center. More specifically, in the north-eastern part of the Łazarz estate.
Kościół Matki Boskiej Bolesnej
The neo-Romanesque church is located on Głogowska Street. It was built in 1901.
This church is known in the world mainly for the fact that it houses a copy of a statue of Michelangelo’s Pieta. According to specialists, the most faithful copy in the world. This sculpture was used for the reconstruction of the original one when it was damaged on May 21, 1972.
Church of St. Anna
The neo-Gothic post-evangelical church of St. Anna (pol. Kościół św. Anny). It is located at the intersection of Matejki and Limanowskiego Streets. The church was established in 1907.
Wilson Park
I wrote about the park in another entry. At this point, however, it is worth mentioning that the Park has changed its role several times. For some time it was even a botanical garden.
Kasprowicz Park and Arena
It is the second larger and this time not fenced recreational and walking facility in Łazarz. It is located near Chociszewski, Jarachowski and Wyspański (where it borders the City Park Hotel) streets. There are many sports facilities in the park, such as:
- Arena Sports and Entertainment Hall (awaiting renovation)
- outdoor summer swimming pool
- tennis courts
When I was a child, there was a festival around the Arena during the long weekend in May. In 2021, the Ice Sculpture Festival was held here. It usually takes place in the Old Market Square.
City Park Hotel & Residence and a small shopping mall
It is a hotel, commercial and gastronomic complex located in the area of Wojskowa-Wyspiańskiego-Ułańska streets. As I wrote before, this complex is located near the Kasprowicz Park, so it is worth visiting both places on the same day.
The complex has a very interesting atmosphere, combining modernity with the past. Everywhere you can find, for example, red brick and a large amount of coins in futuristic windows. This atmosphere was obtained thanks to the adaptation of the former Uhlan barracks.
Of course, some of the buildings have been slightly modified for the needs of the hotel and shops. In order to adapt them to modern conditions. A similar procedure was used in Stary Browar. Some of them retained a similar appearance to the original ones (only windows and doors were replaced on the outside with more modern ones).
At this point, it is worth adding that shops and restaurants are not only located on the side of Wyspiański street. They are located in various buildings within the complex. Therefore, it is worth walking around the entire complex.
In the back of the center there is also an office space for rent.
Of course, these are not all the attractions of Lazarus. Therefore, I invite you to discover it! And share your comments and insights.