Activities & Recreation

Limbering up at Lake Malta (p.52) | Photo by Marcin Welc

Poznań: the city of recreation? Could very well be. With the Warta River flowing right through it and numerous lakes, the city has plenty of activities to offer those who enjoy the water.

We’ve written extensively about some of those activities in this issue’s feature about the Warta River (p.8). But there’s more: two of the city’s most important urban recreation areas are the 89-hectare Citadel Park - full of leafy promenades, historical monuments, and museums, and Lake Malta - a manmade lake surrounded by attractions ranging from the New Zoo to skiing and skating in the winter to toboggan runs and mini golf in the warmer months. We cover both of these in this section of our guide. For more outdoor activities, consider Jeżyce’s Old Zoo and Botanical Garden (both p.30), and for a few rainy-day ideas check out the listings below.

Cinemas

Charlie Monroe Kino Malta

Formerly located up in Śródka, Kino Malta was given a central location and a new name in 2011 following a scuffle with the original building’s legal owners (communist shenanigans - the house was made state property during People’s Republic times and recently recovered by pre-war proprietors), but its ever-loyal followers have stuck by it. A warm atmosphere awaits you inside and the little foyer is decked out in low lighting, old film posters, and hundreds of pictures of famous actors and actresses. Comprising three intimate rooms (‘Charlie’ with 30 seats, ‘Marilyn’ with 37, and ‘Audrey’ with just 13), as the website claims, it aims to be a place for people ‘to meet without barriers,’ including those ‘on roller blades, bicycles, and with guide dogs’. The repertoire consists of a healthy choice of both world and European cinema, the occasional concert, and if you’re bold enough you can even get them to project your favourite movie by request!QH‑9, ul. Rybaki 6A, tel. (+48) 61 877 24 95, www.kinomalta. pl. Box office open from 15 minutes before the first showtime until the last performance. Tickets 20/18zł.

Pałacowe

This in-castle cinema dates back to 1965, when it opened in a former throne room. A thorough renovation conducted in the years 2009-2012 cast out the spirit of communist Poland past, elevating the sound and image quality to established 21st-century

standards. The theatre now holds 143 little thrones for royal film enthusiasts and hosts occasional discussions and meetings.QF‑7, ul. Św. Marcin 80/82 (Zamek Cultural Centre), tel. (+48) 61 646 52 60, www.ckzamek. pl. Box office open 10:00‑21:00. Tickets 20/17zł, Tue 12zł.

Rialto

Situated in the district of Jeżyce, Rialto is one of our top picks and it’s dead easy to get to. As well as showing plenty of independent films, you can also find a good balance of more commercial flicks. Twice nominated for the Polish Film Institute Promotion of Polish Cinema award, Rialto certainly plays a big role when it comes to spreading the word of moving pictures and has no problem getting people through its doors. On Sundays at 12:00 families are invited to ‘Eurobajka’ when kids can watch movies and take part in workshops. As well as organising talks with actors, Rialto puts on educational programmes for local schools and shows short films once a month. Swing by on a Thursday to take advantage of 13zł tickets (or a Wednesday if you have a valid student ID).QC‑6, ul. Dąbrowskiego 38, tel. (+48) 61 847 53 99, www. kinorialto.poznan.pl. Open 15:00‑21:00; Sat, Sun 12:00‑ 21:00. In the case of earlier screenings, the box office opens half an hour before the screening. Tickets 13‑22zł.

Spa & Beauty

Thai-Land Massage

Sightseeing can be hard work, and sometimes a bit of relaxation time is in order. Be it a traditional Thai foot massage, a hot coconut oil massage, or a classic full body massage, it’s all done by Thai masseuses at this splendid parlour located a leisurely ten-minute walk away from the Main Square. Monthly promotions and passes give customers a welcome discount, so do try to take advantage of those.QH‑8, ul. Długa 14/2A, www.thai‑land.pl. Open 12:00‑22:00.

Thai Smile Massage

Anyone looking to escape the raucous buzz of Poz’s city centre could do a lot worse than relaxing with a fine massage. A peaceful, modern environment (with English speaking staff) only five minutes from the Main Square, Thai Smile Massage is an ideal place to forget about the day’s woes while you let one of the authentic Thai massage therapists work their wonders. Two rooms to choose from and a range of massage types including herbal compress massage, foot massage, and sports massage is enough for the IYP staff to give this place the thumbs up.QG‑8, ul. Ogrodowa 17/4, tel. (+48) 727 90 52 96, www.thai‑smile.pl. Open 12:00‑22:00.