Fortifications

Fort Winiary

Citadel Park in Poznań is a large urban park on the hill of the former Winiary Fort, covering about 100 hectares. It brings together the history of the 19th-century Poznań Fortress, memorial sites, museums, public art and everyday recreation.

From Winiary Fort to a public park

Winiary Fort was built between 1828 and 1842 as the most important element of the Prussian polygonal fortress. The complex covered about 100 hectares and included moats, ramparts and extensive defensive works. The Citadel was badly damaged during the 1945 fighting for Poznań, and parts of the fortifications were dismantled afterwards. Work to create a park began in the 1960s; the name Citadel Park was adopted in 1992.

What to see

The park is home to the Museum of Armaments and the Poznań Army Museum, with military equipment also displayed outdoors. Look for the cemeteries and memorial sites, rose garden, amphitheatre and Magdalena Abakanowicz’s 112-part sculpture “The Unrecognized”. The park is also an important winter refuge for bats. Its paths combine greenery with surviving fort structures, making a walk a useful introduction to the city’s military history.

Visitor information

The park is an outdoor public space with no single ticket or common opening hours. Museums, exhibitions and events have separate schedules and admission rules, so check the Wielkopolska Museum of Independence website before visiting. Wear comfortable shoes: the grounds are extensive and some paths run along slopes. Keep quiet near cemeteries and memorial sites.