The Greater Poland possesses the most precious historic architectural monuments. The most interesting and oldest are located in Poznan, Gniezno, Kalisz. One can find here many monuments, like archeological sites (Ostrow Tumski, Kalisz, Giecz), marvellous sacred objects (Gniezno, Poznan, Kalisz, Konin, Gostyn, Sierakow), castles (Kolo, Szamotuly, Kornik), palaces (Rogalin, Smielow, Antonin, Pawlowice, Czerniejow).

 

The Greater Poland stays under the influence of oceanic masses of air, which contribute largely to the mildness of the climate. The farer to east, the more continental the climate is.

 

In the Greater Poland area, 1 National Park (The Wielkopolski National Park, and the part of the Drawieński National Park), 12 Natural Landscape Parks, 95 preservation areas, covering 5469,7 ha of land, and 3601 natural monuments are placed.
Many lakes lie in the areas of Miedzychod, Powidz, Wolsztyn, Wagrowiec, Sierakow and Zbaszyn. Through the Wielkopolski National Park leads a tourist road, named the 'Kornik Route' and the bicycle path of the 'Poznan Ring'. The St. Jacob road leads through the south-eastern part of the park, between Rogalinek and Mosina. Birds in the park are represented by app. 220 species.

 

Poznan is full of interesting places. On the Old Market Square one may admire the reneissance architecture of the XVIth century Town Hall, the gothic tower of the City of Poznan History Museum, gothic St. Peter and Paul Cathedral, imperial castle from 1904-19 (currently the 'Zamek' Cultural Centre), classicist Raczynski's Library from 1822-29, museums: National, Archeological, the Museum of Musical Instruments, the exhibition centre of the famous Poznan International Fair, Malta lake - a place of many sport competitions (e.g. regatta), luge track, opened for the whole year, Sulmierzyce - the only Polish wooden town hall from 1743, the Regional Museum.

 

The second monument of the same class is the Poznan's civic parish church and other objects of the Society of Jesus' complex. Above the Old Town Square, on the hill, stands the Royal Castle, together with fragments of the defense walls. Ostrow Tumski, the oldest part of the town, is another important place, a cradle of Polish nation, where the burial places of first Polish rulers is. Polwiejska street, with numerous restaurants, shops and the Old Brewery (considered the most beautiful shopping centre in the world) is another interesting, often visited place.

 

Pila, as one of a few cities in Poland, may proud itself on the name of the Green City. Urban green represents over 50% of its area. Numerous parks, squares, boulevards and picturesque island on a river are especially interesting places, favourable to long walks. Near Pila, couple of lakes lie, some of which are placed within the administrative borders of the city. The largest of them - Plotki - is the traditional recreation place of tourists and Pila inhabitants.
Gniezno - the first capital of Poland; gothic cathedral (romanesque door, dating back to the XIIth century, confessional with baroque St. Adalbert of Prague reliquary, the Beginnings of the Polish Nation Museum).

 

Kalisz - towers of City Hall, cathedral and St. Joseph sanctuary are visible from every place of the city centre. The gothic St. Michael Cathedral attracts tourists with the missing Rubens' painting. In 1973 this work has ostensibly burnt in the fire. It is believed that the painting had been stolen, and the fire was set to conceal the robbery. The best time of year for visiting Kalisz is May. Then the Kalisz Theatrical Meetings take place. The best theatres from all over the Poland come then to Kalisz.

 
The most fresh Kalisz's event is the International Percussion Music Festival. IX-Xth century Grodzisko (archeological preservation area) and fragments of defense walls, with one tower ('Dorothy') and fragments of Kazimierz's Castle, dating back to the XIVth century; St. Nicolas Cathedral from 1253; Stone Bridge - the engineer art monument from 1824; Kalisz's park - the oldest civic park in Poland (1798); Rogatka - building of the custom office from 1822; Lichen - St. Mary's, Queen of Poland Sanctuary (place of the religious cult) - the biggest temple in Poland under construction (128 metres high, 120 metres long, 77 metres wide); Ostrow Lednicki - X-XIth century gord on the lake Lednica island (presumably the birthplace of the King Boleslaw I); the First Piasts' Museum on Lednica and Greater Poland Ethnographic Park in Lednogorze-Dziekanowice. While walking among peasants' corrals and windmills, one may there acknowledge oneself with the region's folk culture.
Gniezno's historic monuments: the cathedral with treasury in the Gniezno Archdiocese Museum. The Beginnings of the Polish Nation Museum -  through the audio-visual spectacle one may learn there about the history of the first centuries of Poland.
Znin - the Paluki's tourist centre. The Paluki Land Museum. Landscapes can be adored while riding with a narrow gauge train.
Lubostron - palace with surrounding park from the XVIIIth century.
Kruszwica - with 32 metres high Mouse Tower. According to the legend, the hatred king Popiel had been eaten here by mouses. The poor peasant, named Piast, a founder of the first Polish dynasty, was elected his successor. In fact, the tower is a remnant of the castle from much later period. The panorama of Goplo can be seen from the view point.

 

The Radolin Prince's Stones - two glacial erratics, of 10,5 and 12,1 metres perimeter, considered as natural monuments (accessible through marked, red tourist route).
Radolinscy's palace - build according to the English neo-gothic style principles. The residence of the German part of the family - princes von Radolin. Currently, the only State Librarian Education Centre in Poland and the public library are situated there.