Jeżyce | Sightseeing
Jeżyce:
Poznań’s Coolest Neighbourhood A mix of architectural styles and street art in Jeżyce
Grungy and hip, Jeżyce serves as an alternative to the Old Town, offering good eats, cool street art, and a few historical attractions. Almost all of Poland’s major cities seem to have a gravitational centre of charm in the beloved ‘Old Town’ of each, and Poznań is no different. However, after a millennia of business-as-usual, the old school charisma will eventually be challenged by a grungier, cheaper and generally younger community somewhere further out. In Poznań, this area is Jeżyce - a happening neighbourhood to the west of the city centre and welldeserving of the ‘cool’ adjective! In the 21st century, Poznań’s increasingly hipster and food-obsessed district might not be much of a looker, but there’s plenty brewing under the surface if you’re interested in doing some more alternative sightseeing. First mentioned all the way back in 1253 and believed to have been named after some guy called Jerzy (George), nothing would really happen here until the mid 19th century. The ‘foundation’ of the original village can be observed along today’s ul. Kościelna, which today functions like the district’s high street. The city’s first railway station was built here in 1848; however, it was relocated a couple of decades later to where it is now. On the older site, the city’s first zoo was founded in 1871. Those who are against animals in captivity can at least appreciate the old pavilion buildings and green parklands, though the site’s main purpose is hard to ignore! 28
Further development in the early 20th century saw townhouses replacing farming infrastructure and the grounds of the all-important Botanical Gardens. If you look at the district on Google Maps, you’ll see that it is squarely-defined by the limits of the major roads to the west and south and the old fortifications and railway line to the north and east. These strict borders were part of a decision made in the 1890s to place limits on the district, which then defined Jeżyce Market Square as its centre. However, Jeżyce is typically associated with covering at least another couple of square kilometres to the west. In addition to the neighbourhood’s trendy gastro points (see our favourites in the Eat & Drink box), Jeżyce is also a place to sample culture. Most notably, keep an eye on the schedule at the New Theatre (E-6, ul. Dąbrowskiego 5, teatrnowy.pl) and Rialto Cinema (p.51).
Getting There Exceedingly easy to get to from the centre, take trams 2, 17 or 18. The ‘Rynek Jeżycki’ stop is the logical place to start, which puts you right on the neighbourhood’s market square, and at the bottom of ul. Kościelna - the district’s high street.
