Prussian order

The end of the 20^th century was the time of the ruthless policy of Otto von Bismarck in the Prussian Partition. One of its aims was to increase the presence of the German population in cities like Poznań. This was particularly visible in the city’s new architecture.

The Settlement Commission appointed by Prussian authorities was tasked with buying land from Polish owners and bringing there settlers from the German Empire. However, the project failed because Poznań did not seem to be an attractive place to live.

Therefore, German officials decided to modernise the city. Redevelopment works lasted almost till the outbreak of the First World War. The chief urban planner became in 1902 Joseph Stübben. He created the design of the monumental Imperial District. He planned to build residential areas and green avenues in the area which had formerly been part of the Fortress.

The Imperial District became the icon of the Prussian Poznań. It bordered with the railway station so all people travelling to the city from the West had to pass through it. They could see grand buildings such as the Imperial Castle, the Municipal Theatre surrounded with a park and the Royal Academy. Stübben’s plans were still used by Polish urban planners during the interwar period. Following his vision, they redeveloped the areas adjoining the Imperial District.

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Castle District in Poznań.

Up to this day this work of art by Prussian urban planners and architects welcomes visitors coming to Poznań, showing off its monumentality, from the collection of the University Library