The Royal-Imperial Route in Poznań (Polish: Trakt Królewsko-Cesarski w Poznaniu, German: Route der Könige und Kaiser) is a tourist walk running through the most important parts of the city and presenting the history, culture and identity of Poznań. The Route leads in a westward direction, from The Church of St. John Jerusalem behind the Wall to the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and St. Florian.
The Royal–Imperial Route in Poznań is an idea of a tourist product that would combine important places and historical monuments of the city. "The Royal – Imperial Route" axis provides cultural, artistic and educational events that integrate the activities of all parties concerned and are the platform for co-operation of various entities: public administration, culture and science institutions, representatives of the academic circle, and tourist organisations. That is why "The Royal–Imperial Route" is Poznań's first complete partner project in which the City Hall motivates the other parties to work for the development of cultural tourism of the city and region.
Route of history "Poland began here... – Poland began in Poznań...". The name of the theme recalls the words of Pope John Paul II, who reminded that the history of Christian Poland (and its statehood) began in Poznań, to some extent together with the European integration, or rather affiliation to the Mediterranean culture instead of Byzantine one. The thousand-year history inscribed in the areas of the old Poznań (from Ostrów Tumski to the Old Town) and the Polish state provide excellent material and inspiration to develop a tourist offer, which could be briefly described with the following sentence: in Poznań you travel to the beginnings of Poland – not only in the family context, but also in respect of the national identity.Route of architecture monuments "That is how Poznań was built – Route of Work and Beauty". Different architectural styles in Poznań: from Romanesque to Secession (Cathedral – Town Hall – Parish Church– Castle), and transparent development of both the urban system and cultural content, allow to guide the tourist through successive stages (cultural layers) of the city, from which the history of people who worked and lived here can be traced over the centuries.Artistic (Cultural) Route "Cultural inspirations – Route bustling with (cultural) life… – Entertainment/Cultural ROUTing". The artistic offer constitutes an important element of cultural tourism. Cultural programs affect the significance of the city on the map of cultural – city tourism marketing to a great extent. For that reason the elements of the integrated Tourist Product "Royal-Imperial Route in Poznań" involve many diversified product programs within this area.Route of Wielkopolska traditions "Not just potatoes with cottage cheese – Good Food and Fun". Emphasizing one's own local identity through presenting the customs, traditions or values to the public constitutes the only "resources" exploited for tourist purposes. Yet, presenting the tradition of Wielkopolska Region in Poznań will be a wonderful supplement to the cultural offer of the city, highlighting at the same time its genuine individual character and regionalism.The route shows how the city has changed and developed through the centuries and is as follows: Lake Malta – Church of St. John of Jerusalem behind the Wall – Śródka – Bishop Jordan Bridge – Ostrów Tumski (the Cathedral Island) – Chrobry Bridge – Chwaliszewo – Old Market Square – Paderewskiego Street – Wolności Square – 27 Grudnia Street – Fredry Street – Theatre Bridge – Dąbrowskiego Street – Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and St. Florian.
Attractions and monuments
Church of St. John of Jerusalem Outside the WallsLake Malta with its sport and recreation centreThe Maltanka Station of the narrow-gauge train in Malta ParkChurch of St. Casimir and the monastery of the ReformersChurch of St. Margaret, the MartyrFormer Philippine MonasteryBishop Jordan BridgeCathedral of St. Peter and St. PaulArchbishop's PalaceChurch of St. Mary the Virgin in SummoPsalm Singers HousesArchdiocese Museum Lubrański Academy BuildingChurch of the Holy Heart of Jesus and Mother of God the Comforter (jesuit Church)The Former SynagogueWorkshop and Museum of Józef I. KraszewskiChurch of the Holy Mary, the Helper of the Faithful, Salesian Society (Catherines nuns)"Na Piętrze" Stage (Estrada Poznańska)City WallsSt. Adalberts Church with the Crypt of the Eminent WielkopolskansThe Citadel, Armaments Museum and Museum of the Poznań Army (formerly: the Winiary Fort)Church of the most Precious Blood of ChristCity Hall – Museum /of the History of PoznańWeighhouseBamber Woman WellMerchant Tenement HousesWielkopolska Military MuseumArsenal Municipal GalleryThe Guardhouse – Museum of the Wielkopolska Uprising 1918–1919Działyński PalaceHenryk Sienkiewicz Literary MuseumMielżyński PalaceMuseum of Musical InstrumentsFormer Royal Castle (now houses Museum of Applied Arts)Church of St. Anthony of Padua and Conventual Franciscan Monastery (in the cellars: a model of historic Poznań, and a model of the Piast State)Archaeology Museum (the former Górka Palace)The Ballet School andseat of the Polish Dance Theatre, Poznań Ballet (former Jesuit College)Bishop Stanisław's Collegiate Parish Church and former Jesuit College (now: Poznań Town Hall)All Saint's ChurchEtnography Museum (the former Masonic Lodge)Museum of the Poznań BambersLamplighter StatueChurch of St. Francis Seraphic and Franciscan Monastery (Monastery of the Friars Minor)Church of Corpus ChristiThe Old Brewery Shopping, Art and Business CentreMuzyczny TheatreStatue of Stary MarychSt. Martin's ChurchBazar HotelNational Gallery – Gallery of Paintings and SculptureRaczyński LibraryArkadia, seat of the Theatre of the Eighth Day and the City Information CentrePoznań University LibraryPolski TheatreOkrąglak BuildingPoznań Society for the Friends of the SciencesChurch of the Holy SaviourCollegium Maius (former Colonization Commission building)Stanisław Moniuszko Grand (Wielki) TheatreFormer Imperial Castle (now houses Zamek ("Castle") Cultural Centre)Monuments to Poznań Uprising of June 1956 and Adam MickiewiczAdam Mickiewicz University, Collegium Minus and University Auditorium (concert hall of the Tadeusz Szeligowski Philharmonic Society of Poznań)New Auditorium (Aula Nova)Palm HouseOld ZooResidence and Workshop of Kazimiera IłłakowiczównaNowy TheatreArt-nouveau town houses in Roosevelt StreetRoosevelt StreetKamienica (architecture)|Art-nouveau and timberframe buildings in Dąbrowskiego StreetChurch of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and St. FlorianThe Royal–Imperial Route Programme is based on partnership on many levels. The Programme involves Full Partners, Associated Partners and additionally Auxiliary Partners are invited to the individual projects (e.g. schools, auxiliary self-governments, NGOs). All these institutions inform one another about their actions, projects and initiatives related to the Strategy. The Mayor of Poznań controls the proper implementation of the Strategy's provisions. All works related to the implementation of the Strategy are co-ordinated by the Programme Office which operates within the structures of the Poznań City Hall.
"Zamek" Cultural CentreEstrada Poznańska StagePoznań PhilharmonicPolish Dance Theatre – Poznań BalletAnimation TheatreNowy TheatreEighth Day TheatrePolski TheatreWielki Theatre"Arsenal" Municipal GalleryArchaeological MuseumNational Museum in PoznańWielkopolska Museum of the Struggle for IndependenceState Archive in PoznańRaczyński LibraryMetropolitan CuriaUniversity of EconomicsUniversity of Medical SciencesAcademy of Fine ArtsAcademy of MusicThe Adam Mickiewicz University 
