Collegium Minus of Adam Mickiewicz University

Historic Building in Poznań

CC BY-SA 3.0 / Krzysztof Duda

The Collegium Minus of Poznań is one of the most elegant Neo-Renaissance buildings in the city’s Imperial District, designed by architect Eduard Fürstenau and constructed between 1905 and 1910. With its symmetrical red-brick-and-sandstone facade, high gables, arcaded porticos, and a distinctive round tower, the building once formed part of the German‑instigated Royal Academy in Poznań. After Poland regained sovereignty in 1919, the university was transferred to Polish authorities and the building became the iconic headquarters of Adam Mickiewicz University (UAM), with administrative offices and ceremonial spaces located within.

Inside, the star attraction is the grand Aula (University Auditorium)—a richly decorated ceremonial hall that can accommodate over 1,000 guests. Adorned with elaborate stucco, gilded details, classical paintings, and impressive coffered ceilings, it is celebrated for its outstanding acoustics. The hall serves as a stage for cultural events including performances by the Poznań Philharmonic Orchestra, academic ceremonies, and even the prestigious Henryk Wieniawski International Violin Competition held every five years.

The interiors also feature marble staircases, original lecture halls with wooden benches, and sculpted busts or plaques celebrating distinguished scholars and cultural figures. A smaller, more intimate chamber—known as the Lubrański Aula—hosts academic workshops, chamber concerts, and cultural gatherings, adding to the building’s layered historic and institutional feel. During World War II, the building was commandeered by German authorities, yet local university staff secretly continued teaching in underground operations—testimony to the resilience of Poznań’s academic community.

The Collegium Minus of Adam Mickiewicz University appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Poznań!

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