Działyński Palace, Poznań

Palace in Poznań

Pałac Działyńskich Poznań
Pałac Działyńskich Poznań
CC BY-SA 4.0 / MOs810

Działyński Palace sits directly on Stary Rynek and stands out not by size, but by the sophistication of its façade and the weight of its cultural history. It is one of the best places to visit in Poznań if you enjoy architecture with symbolism: Corinthian pilasters, sculpted scenes across the attic frieze, and a pelican perched above as a quiet emblem of sacrifice and hope.

Because it is right in the centre of the Old Town, it's also a highlight of any walking tour of Poznań. You can take in the palace in a few minutes, but it rewards a slower look, especially if you enjoy spotting details that most people walk past on their way to cafés and the Town Hall.

History and Significance of the Działyński Palace

The palace was built between 1773 and 1776 for Władysław Roch Gurowski, designed by Antoni Höhne on the site of two earlier medieval townhouses. Architecturally, it blends Baroque presence with Classicist discipline, which is part of why it feels so composed compared with the brighter, more playful merchant houses nearby.

From 1808 to 1872 it belonged to the Działyński family, who turned it into a serious cultural and educational centre during the partitions, when Polish public life was constrained under foreign rule. The palace hosted lectures by Polish scholars, exhibitions, performances, and charitable events, quietly reinforcing intellectual and civic identity in a period when those things carried political meaning.

The building’s modern story is equally important. After a destructive fire in 1945, it was reconstructed between 1953 and 1957 under architect Aleksander Holas. Although parts of the wings were simplified, key interiors were restored, including the Red Hall, which later gained recreated statues of medieval Polish rulers. Today, as a branch of the Kórnik Library of the Polish Academy of Sciences, the palace continues its role as a venue for exhibitions, concerts, and academic events.

Things to See and Do in the Działyński Palace

Begin outside with the western façade facing the square. Look for the Corinthian pilasters that give the building its vertical rhythm, then move your gaze upward to the sculpted tympanum with the Działyński Ogończyk coat of arms. The attic frieze above adds a narrative layer-triumphal and sacrificial scenes that echo the palace’s symbolic tone.

The pelican sculpture at the top is the detail many people miss. It is not merely decorative; it’s traditionally read as a symbol of sacrifice and renewal, and in this setting it aligns neatly with the palace’s later association with national perseverance and cultural continuity.

If you have the chance to go inside during an event or exhibition, the Red Hall is the space to prioritise. The hall opens onto a balcony running the full width of the façade, and it is designed for public-facing moments: talks, performances, and gatherings that connect directly to the square outside. Even if you cannot enter, it helps to know that the palace is not just a façade-it is a functioning cultural site that still hosts public life.

How to Get to the Działyński Palace

Poznań-Ławica Airport is the nearest airport and the most convenient arrival point for visiting Poznań. For the best deals and a seamless booking experience, check out these flights to Poznań on Booking.com.

Poznań Główny is the main railway station, and from there you can reach Stary Rynek by tram, bus, taxi, or a walk depending on your pace and luggage. You can easily check schedules and book tickets through the PKP Intercity website. However, for a smoother experience, we recommend using Omio, which simplifies the booking process and lets you compare prices and schedules all in one place.

If you’re travelling by car, plan to park outside the Old Town core and walk in, as access and parking are restrictive close to the market square. If you are looking to rent a car in Poland I recommend having a look at Discover Cars, first, as they compare prices and review multiple car rental agencies for you.

The palace is located at Stary Rynek 78/79, directly on the Old Market Square.

Practical Tips on Visiting the Działyński Palace

  • Suggested tips: Spend two minutes simply scanning upward from ground level to the roofline; the façade’s symbolism is layered, and most of it is above eye level.
  • Best time to visit: Early morning for clean photos and fewer people; late afternoon for warmer light on the stucco and sculptural details.
  • Entrance fee: Exterior viewing: free.
  • Opening hours: Exterior: always accessible.
  • Official website: https://www.bkpan.poznan.pl/palac/
  • How long to spend: 10-20 minutes for exterior details; 45-60 minutes if you combine it with an interior exhibition or cultural event.
  • Accessibility: The square is cobblestoned; interior access depends on the event setup and historic-building constraints.
  • Facilities: Use the surrounding Old Market Square cafés and restrooms; on-site visitor facilities depend on what is running that day.
  • Photography tip: Step back to include the full roofline so the pelican sculpture appears in frame; a slight angle often reduces crowd clutter.
  • Guided tours: If you want deeper context, a city guide can decode the façade symbolism and connect the palace’s role to Poznań’s partitions-era cultural life.
  • Nearby food options: For better value, choose a restaurant one or two streets off the square, then return to the façade afterward for photos.

Where to Stay close to the Działyński Palace

Staying near Stary Rynek makes it easy to see the palace at different times of day and to drop in spontaneously if there's an exhibition or concert. PURO Hotel Poznań Stare Miasto is a convenient base for the Old Town and its museums.

For a more Old Town atmosphere with quick access to the market square, Hotel Kolegiacki keeps you in the historic core.

If you want a comfortable, central option still within easy walking distance of Stary Rynek, Hotel DeSilva Premium Poznań is another practical choice.

Is the Działyński Palace Worth Visiting?

Yes, especially if you value places that combine architecture with civic meaning. The palace is visually refined, but its real power comes from its partitions-era role as a home for scholarship and public culture when those things were acts of resilience.

It’s also an efficient stop. You can appreciate the façade quickly during an Old Town circuit, and if you’re lucky enough to catch an exhibition or concert, you’ll experience the building as it was intended: a cultural space that engages the city rather than merely decorating it.

What Other Travellers Say...

Reviews Summary

4.4 (15)

Działyński Palace, listed at 61-773 Poznań, sits in the heart of the Old Market Square and is praised by visitors as a very beautiful, well-located palace and a notable decoration of the square; however, several reviewers warn that the mapped location can be incorrect and have been led to nearby intersections instead, so confirm the exact address (Stary Rynek 78 was suggested) before visiting.

Seng O Loong
8 months ago
"Place indicated by google maps is wrong. Search Stary Rynek 78 instead."
Jaro Es
3 months ago
"I missed the wedding because Google Map took me to the intersection of Ratajczaka and Św. Marcin"
Tytus
9 months ago
"A beautiful palace designed by the outstanding architect Antoni Höhne, one of the many decorations of the Old Market Square"

FAQs for Visiting Działyński Palace

It is at Stary Rynek 78/79, directly on Poznań’s Old Market Square.
It was built between 1773 and 1776.
It was designed by architect Antoni Höhne.
It is generally described as Baroque-Classicist, combining Baroque presence with Classicist order.
Corinthian pilasters, the tympanum with the Działyński Ogończyk coat of arms, the attic frieze scenes, and the pelican sculpture at the top.
Interior access depends on exhibitions, events, and the building’s current use as a cultural and academic venue.
It is the palace’s most ornate interior space, restored after World War II and associated with a balcony spanning the façade.
It was destroyed by fire and later reconstructed in the 1950s.
It houses a branch of the Kórnik Library of the Polish Academy of Sciences and hosts cultural events.
Allow 10-20 minutes for the façade, and longer if you plan to attend an exhibition or concert.

For Different Travelers

Families with Kids

For families, the palace works best as a short, visual stop. Turn it into a quick detail-spotting game: find the coat of arms, then search for the pelican at the roofline, which most people miss on the first look.

If you have limited patience for indoor culture stops, pair it with other nearby attractions that offer movement and variety, using the palace as a “beautiful landmark moment” rather than a long visit.

Couples & Romantic Getaways

For couples, the palace is most enjoyable when the square is quieter-early morning or early evening-when the façade feels more theatrical and the architectural details stand out. It’s an elegant backdrop for photos, but also a place that adds depth to an Old Town stroll because it carries a strong cultural history.

If an exhibition or concert is on, it’s one of the most atmospheric “date night” venues in the Old Town, especially when you combine it with dinner nearby.

Budget Travelers

Działyński Palace is an excellent budget-friendly sight because the main experience-the façade and its symbolism-is free. You get an architectural highlight in a prime location without needing to buy a ticket.

If you want to keep spending tight, treat interior events as optional add-ons and focus on building a day around the Old Town’s public spaces, churches, and free exterior architecture, using cafés strategically for breaks.

Nearby Attractions to the Działyński Palace

The Działyński Palace appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Poznań!

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Moira & Andy

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Planning Your Visit

Hours:

Exterior: always accessible.

Price:

Exterior viewing: free.

Address: Pałac Działyńskich, Poznań, Poland
Poznań: 0 km
Official Website

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