says Ph.D. Marek Rezler, a historian, expert in Poznan history and member of honour of the Stowarzyszenie Chwaliszewo association. The aim of the association is to revitalise this historic district of Poznan.

Chwaliszewo is one of the oldest districts in Poznan. It stretches from the Old Town to Ostrów Tumski island with its famous Cathedral. In 1945, this quarter of the city particularly suffered in the war. Nevertheless, a lot of architecturally unique Secessionist tenement houses did survive. The district then went through stormy times in the 1960s when an old tributary of the Warta River was filled-in, Chaliszewski bridge deconstructed, and a new route from the Śródka district to ul. Garbary marked out. It was then that Chwaliszewo became the city’s outsider, forgotten and neglected.

However, in the 19th century the main route from Western to Eastern Europe had been through this very district. Even the emperor Napoleon and tsar Nicolas I had travelled there.
In order to bring back the historical importance of Chwaliszewo, a group of people from Poznan who care greatly about the well being of the district, decided to set up an association they call the ‘Stowarzyszenie Chwaliszewo’.

“When strolling down the streets of Chwaliszewo, it is very depressing to see that such a historically important and well-situated district of Poznan is so neglected,” says Jerzy Ruciński, chairman of the association.

The association was established on the occasion of the building in the district two huge multi-storey buildings. New tenants would surely prefer to be surrounded by nicer scenery, which is why the association began working with the Municipal Road Directorate. This cooperation will eventually result in the renovation of ulica Czartoria and ulica Tylne Chwaliszewo, as well as the setting of new street lights. Moreover, the plan also includes  refreshing the plants growing in the urban space near All Saints Church and the Warta River boulevard.

 “Chwaliszewo constitutes a natural connection between the Old Market Square and Ostrów Tumski island. We want tourist to stroll down the streets of Chwaliszewo rather than observe them through the windows of city tour buses. Only then will local trade flourish and make it possible to open new cafés and café gardens,” claims chairman Ruciński.

The opening of the Centre of Culture and Art at the Stara Gazownia might also be helpful in bringing Chwaliszewo back to life. The members of the association are hopeful that thanks to this initiative, the district will be more in the centre of artistic interest than ever before.
As a result of Chwaliszewo’s revitalization, the Warta River banks are to be renovated as well.
“We want to create a boulevard along the Warta River with space for restaurants and a jetty for boats and canoes. Along the river, there’ll also be walking and bike routes marked out,” adds chairman Ruciński.

“Your dreams and plans go hand in hand with the plans of the City Council. That is why we would like to invite you to cooperate in designing a new plan for Chwaliszewo’s revitalisation,” said Wojciech Kręglewski, Poznan city councillor and director of the Spatial Planning Committee of the City Council, while talking with members of the association.