ICHOT Poznań Gate

Located on the banks of the Cybina River, ICHOT Poznań Gate is a modern place where we will learn about the history of Ostrow Tumski. The tour includes not only an interactive exhibition in the building, but also an audio tour of the island.

This relatively new place on the map of Poznan attracts visitors with its modern building, which hides a very interesting thematic exhibition inside. And probably reading the title of this post you started wondering what the word ICHOT means? Well, it stands for: Interactive Center for the History of Ostrów Tumski, because the main exhibition at the Gate of Poznań is about Ostrów Tumski.

The Gate of Poznań is not a traditional museum. And although we have been tempted several times to write here about this place as a museum, we have always been reminded of a quote from the facility’s website:

The Gate of Poznań does not collect or display exhibits. The Gate of Poznań is the first heritage interpretation center in Poland, created on the model of similar institutions operating abroad. The Heritage Interpretation Center combines an exhibition that opens the way for viewers to learn about an important historical site directly with the site. In Poznan, it is the Cathedral Island. ^[source.]

So what does it look like to visit this unusual place?

Table of contents

Poznań Gate tour

The ICHOT Poznań Gate tour consists of two elements: a tour of the exhibition in the Poznań Gate building and an audio tour of Ostrów Tumski. They are thematically related, but you don’t have to go into the field immediately after visiting the exhibition (but of course you can ;) ). When you buy a ticket for the main exhibition, you can visit Ostrów within 10 days of entering the exhibition. The audio tour consists of a self-guided walk around Ostrów Tumski with an audio guide.

The exposition cannot be entered at any time. Visitors are admitted in groups every 20 minutes. And at first we were puzzled by this approach, but later we found out that it gives a lot of comfort while visiting the exhibition.

You walk through the various rooms with an audio guide, who leads you through 4 themed rooms: the Castle, Water, Gold and Stained Glass. The exhibits, of course, tell the story of Cathedral Island, from the time of settlement in the area to the present day. We must admit that the room arrangements are incredibly impressive and memorable.

There is no shortage of mock-ups, interactive stations, interestingly displayed costumes, all designed to show the unique history of this place (there is also no shortage of references beyond this theme, showing, for example, the impact on the fate of Poland). At the end of the tour, you can ascend to the terrace overlooking Ostrów Tumski.

In order to go through the exposition in a relaxed manner, it is worth reserving two hours.

The next part is already a tour of Ostrow Tumski. With the help of the audio guide, one views more than a dozen points on the map of Ostrow, including a look inside the cathedral. More than an hour and a half should be spent on this part.

Touring the Gate of Poznań with a child

Definitely a great place for families with children! First of all, when visiting, you can choose special tour paths for families with children, and there are whole sections for children! Here they can explore and play with history.

Secondly, if you want children to get a lot out of their visit to the City Gate, you can take a special guided tour for families with children. They take place according to a specific schedule and 5 thematic routes are offered (the schedule is available at this link).

If you want to set off with an audio guide for a tour of Ostrow Tumski, there’s a little surprise for families here, too: in addition to the device that will guide you around the island, you’ll be given tasks to do that will engage children. It is a kind of field game, and a bag with a compass, binoculars, a notebook and a pen will help you perform the various tasks. This route is dedicated to families with children aged 5 to 10.

Practical information about Poznań Gate ICHOT

For families with smaller children

The place is also very friendly to families with smaller children. From the fact that you can easily move around the exhibition with a stroller, to the possibility of renting an ergonomic carrier free of charge.

Prices – how much does a ticket to the Gate of Poznań cost?

When buying a ticket to the Gate of Poznań ICHOT, one must decide whether to enter only the exhibition with an audio tour or the exhibition combined with a tour of Ostrów Tumski (the price of the latter additionally includes the Archdiocesan Museum and the Genius Loci Archaeological Reserve).

A ticket to the permanent exhibition:

Normal ticket – 28 zł
Discounted ticket – 22 PLN
Family ticket (max 2+3) – 60 PLN

Combination ticket:

Normal ticket – 44 PLN
Discounted ticket – 32 PLN
Family ticket (max 2+4) – 98 PLN

Additionally:

Children under 6 years of age enter for free.

Ticket with a large family card – 10 PLN

A ticket bought for the last hour is cheaper: PLN 20 – normal ticket, PLN 16 – reduced ticket and PLN 42 for a family ticket.

Opening hours of Poznań Gate

The Gate of Poznań is open Tuesday through Sunday (the facility is closed on Mondays). Last entry is possible one hour before the exhibition closes.

Opening Hours:

Tuesday – Friday: from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm.
Saturday and Sunday: from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm.

Getting to Poznań Gate

The Gate of Poznań ICHOT is located in the Śródka district, on the banks of the Cybina River, near the Jordan Bridge. There is no dedicated parking directly at the facility, you can park your car on Gdanska Street or Bydgoska Street (these are public spaces within the paid parking zone).

If you want to reach Poznań Gate by public transport, the nearest stops are: Srodka Roundabout (about 500 meters to walk), Zawady (also about 500 meters) or on Ostrow Tumski, Cathedral stop (about 550 meters).

There are bicycle racks at the building.

Where to stay overnight in the area of the Gate of Poznań?

Here are some suggestions for accommodation in Poznan. We stayed in the first two o facilities on the list (and recommend them, of course), but the others are also recommended and have very good reviews.

Hotel Mercure Poznan Centrum
Address: Ul. Roosevelta 20, Jeżyce, 60-829 Poznań
Prices: from 300 PLN for a double room
Link:
https://r4b.link/booking-mercure-poznan
Ibis Poznan Centrum
Address: Plac Andersa 1, Old Town, 61898 Poznań
Prices: from 280 PLN for a double room
Link:
https://r4b.link/booking-ibis-poznan
Srodka Boutique Hotel
Address: ul. Śródka 6, Nowe Miasto, 61-125 Poznań
Prices: from 280 PLN for a double room
Link:
https://r4b.link/booking-srodka-poznan
City Solei Boutique Hotel
Address: ul. Wenecjańska 10, Old Town, 61-101 Poznań
Prices: from 405 PLN for a double room
Link:
https://r4b.link/booking-city-solei-boutiqu
Wozna 11 Old Town
Address: Wozna 11, Old Town, 61-777 Poznań
Prices: from 190 PLN for a double room
Link:
https://r4b.link/booking-wozna-11
B&B Hotel Poznan Old Town
Address: 16 plac Wolności, Old Town, 61-738 Poznań
Prices: from 244 PLN for a double room
Link:
https://r4b.link/booking-bb-poznan
Hotel Włoski Italia Boutique Old Town Poznan
Address: Dolna Wilda 8, Wilda, 61-888 Poznań
Prices: from 350 PLN for a double room
Link:
https://r4b.link/booking-wloski
Park Inn by Radisson Poznan
Address: Szyperska 22, Old Town, 61-754 Poznań
Prices: from 280 PLN for a double room
Link:
https://r4b.link/booking-park-inn-by-radisson-poznan

Our opinion about Poznań Gate

The Gate of Poznań is a unique place on the map of Poznań. The exhibition focuses on the history and heritage of Ostrów Tumski, and an excellent continuation of the tour is to head off and see Cathedral Island.

We were at the exhibition with our children, so we paid a lot of attention to the adaptation of the exhibitions for children, and we must admit that the Gate of Poznań did its homework on 5+ !

Lots of attractions for children, a special audio guide with a family tour, and even a possible guided tour will surely make your visit to the Gate of Poznań a unique experience.