Ostrów Tumski in Poznań – the charms of the Cathedral Island
Ostrów Tumski (known as the Cathedral Island) is the last remaining island on the Warta River within Poznań.
Formerly, the islands on the river were also Grobla and Chwaliszewo. After World War II, it was decided to regulate the river’s current and thus these two islands became part of the left bank of Poznań. Only Ostrów Tumski remained. Regulating the river in this way made it more navigable. The problem with flooding the surrounding areas has also been reduced.
What to see on Ostrów Tumski
There are many interesting places in Ostrów Tumski. Many are easy to get to and are more popular than others a little worse. The fact is, however, that the island is divided into 2 parts by train tracks.
The part where the Cathedral is located can be easily reached from Śródka or Garbar. Access to the other part of the island is possible only from Śródka (there are plans to build a bridge near Park na Szeląg).
Location
Poznań Cathedral (Katedra Poznańska)
There are many churches and buildings on the island that are used by or owned by the church (former and / or present). One of them is the Poznań Cathedral. It is here that the first kings of Poland were buried in the Golden Chapel or the Chapel of the Polish Kings.
The cathedral, like most buildings in Ostrów Tumski, suffered during the Second World War. Its present appearance is therefore different from before the war. Usually the door at the front of the temple is closed – so it’s best to enter the side door on the right (they should be open).
Church of the Most Sober Virgin Mary or the Church of Our Lady in Summo
It is a small-sized church built in the Baroque style (like many other buildings in this place, such as the Cathedral). It is located in front of the Cathedral. From 2021, there is an installation around it showing the dimensions of the previous temple located in this place.
Polish name of the church – Kościół Najtrzeźwiej Maryi Panny lub Kościół pw. NMP in Summo
City Archives – former Lubrański Academy
The city archive (Poznań) is located in a historic building. This building used to be the seat of the Lubrański Academy (pl. Akademia Lubrańskiego).
Bishop Jordan Bridge – Most Biskupa Jordana
Bishop Jordan Bridge It connects Ostrów Tumski and Śródka (the right-bank part of Poznań). The location of the bridge is not accidental. The new bridge was replaced by the old bridge that no longer exists. A few years ago, you could see a mural depicting him. However, it was painted over during the renovation of the tenement house in Śródka. As a curiosity, it is worth adding that it was built from the old coupling of the Saint Roch Bridge. The video in which you can see the transport of the bridge fragment is available on YouTube.
Cathedral Lock – Entrance to ICHOT
ICHOT is a multimedia museum of the history of Ostrów Tumski.
Other attractions
There are several museums and many other buildings on the island (including an old power plant that will soon be transformed into a housing estate). The island is generally quite large. And depending on the place where we find ourselves, its buildings are different. A good example is the vicinity of the Cathedral itself, where we have paved streets, while a few meters away is asphalt.
For many people it is also a unique place. It was here, at the turn of the 8th and 9th centuries, that a stronghold was built. In the 10th century it was, together with Gniezno, the main center of the Piast state. So, in a sense, it was one of the places where Poland began to form. Archaeological research also suggests that this is where Poland was baptized in 968.
