Rezerwat Archeologiczny Genius loci

About the museum

The Rezerwat Archeologiczny Genius loci is a branch of the Archaeological Museum in Poznań and is located on Ostrów Tumski, where one of the main centres of the early Polish state functioned in the 10th century. Since 2008 archaeologists have been uncovering the well-preserved foundations of the stronghold's defensive ramparts there. The name comes from Latin and means “the guardian spirit of the place” (ducha opiekuńczego miejsca).

The reserve's building stands on a plot of 1002 m², handed over to the city of Poznań by the Metropolitan Curia (Kuria Metropolitalna). Underground there are a hall with relics of the rampart and a corridor with the foundations of the wall of Bishop Lubrański (muru biskupa Lubrańskiego), and on the ground floor a cinema hall, a foyer with a cloakroom and multimedia information kiosks. The investment cost about PLN 9.7 million, of which about PLN 6.5 million came from the EU regional operational programme for 2007–2013.

The visit begins with a film in the multimedia room, available in a popular-science version and a shorter version for children. Visitors then walk through the exhibition, with original remains of the rampart, about a thousand years old, and a hologram of the stronghold at the height of its splendour. The reserve also presents the first permanent exhibition of archaeological finds from Ostrów Tumski, as well as temporary exhibitions. Apart from the ticketed exhibition, the church of St Mary in Summo (kościół NMP in summo) and the glass structures outlining the palatium of Mieszko I can be visited by prior arrangement.

Highlights

• Original remains of the stronghold's 10th-century rampart
• Hologram of the stronghold at the height of its splendour
• Introductory film in versions for adults and for children
• Permanent exhibition “Monuments of Ostrów Tumski”, including a mosaic with gold foil from the palace chapel
• Foundations of the wall of Bishop Lubrański

Permanent exhibitions

• Pokolenie 966 – Underground exhibition with original remains of the stronghold's 10th-century rampart and foundations of a 16th-century wall, preceded by a multimedia film and supplemented by an audio guide.
• Zabytki Ostrowa Tumskiego – The first permanent exhibition of archaeological finds from Ostrów Tumski, including mosaic tesserae covered with gold foil from the palace chapel, a small golden fish from a goldsmith's workshop and grave goods from the cemetery at Śródka.
• Przekrój (P)poznania – An art installation next to the reserve, in which fragments of thousand-year-old oak structures were brought to the surface; the author is Dr Łukasz Gruszczyński.

Founded

2012

Operated by

Muzeum Archeologiczne w Poznaniu

Admission & discounts

Free admission: On Sundays admission to the reserve's exhibitions is free.

Combined tickets are also available: Brama Poznania + Genius loci + Akademia Lubrańskiego, standard PLN 49, reduced PLN 36, family (2 adults + 4 children) PLN 109; they are sold by Brama Poznania. Tickets can be bought online.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The main entrance is step-free and leads directly to the ticket office. The visitor levels combine stairs with handrails and a lift serving three levels, which is accessible to wheelchair users and is located by the ticket office on the ground floor. On the ground floor there is a toilet adapted for people with disabilities. Assistance dogs may enter the building (the guide should have a document confirming the dog's status and a vaccination record). There is no permanent Polish Sign Language interpreter and no voice announcement system; people who need support should contact the reserve in advance. The reserve has no car park of its own.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Stroller-friendly

The reserve has prepared a version of the introductory film and an audio guide for children, a family ticket, family workshops in the summer season, museum lessons for classes IV–VIII and an outdoor game around Ostrów Tumski. Pushchairs may enter the building, and parents are responsible for supervising their children.

Getting there & parking

From the Stary Rynek to Ostrów Tumski it is about 15–20 minutes on foot.

Amenities & dining

• Coat check

Cloakroom in the foyer on the ground floor.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit