We can find out what Poznan looked like several hundred years ago by examining a model, which we can admire in the underground part of the Franciscan Church on Przemysl Hill. The structures, rendered with utmost precision, perfectly recreate the atmosphere of the medieval city. 

The mock-up presents Poznan as it can be seen in a figure from 1618. Its main part presents the medieval city, surrounded by fortified walls.  This is today's Historic Centre. Apart from that, visitors can also see a miniature model of Ostrów Tumski, located at the opposite bank of the Warta River, with the Cathedral as its centrepiece. The exhibition also presents models of suburban settlements: Chwaliszew, Garbar, Świtęy Marcin and św. Wojciech, which today are the city's major streets.
"The miniature Poznan shows how well the 17th century market square was paved. It showcases the robustness of its walls, churches, constructed to glorify the Lord, and of the Town Hall - a testimony to the greatness and affluence of the city and its residents," says Krzysztof Przybyła, the author of the mock-up.

A recording of a 27-minute long commentary, written by professor   Jacek Wiesiolowski, an expert on the history of Poznan, depicts the old-time city and the life of its residents, and talks about how the city changed throughout the ages.  The commentary has been prepared in several languages: among others, in English, German, French, Russian and Spanish.  A system of lights illuminates the parts of the city, which are being talked about at a given moment. When comparing the mock-up with present day Poznan, it is possible to notice buildings which are still there - like the Town Hall, the Municipal Scales or the Cathedral. However, the model also shows some constructions which we only know from historic records.  "The miniature city is bustling with life: the street next to the market square is blocked by a cart waiting to be unloaded, a new household is being built and a shutter left ajar is almost swaying in the wind.    Sometimes, fires break out in the city. Warta and Cybina rivers, made of resin, seem to be flowing. All special effects are controlled by software adjusted to the needs of the exhibition," explains the author of the mock-up.

The whole model took six years to build. The actual construction was preceded by its author's thorough investigation. Krzysztof Przybyła from Poznan, studied the history of old-time Poznan, its iconography and modern reconstructions.
The mock-up takes up over 50 m2. It is comprised of over 2 thousand elements. Its scale, 1:150, is the smallest scale in the world used to make mock-ups of cities. "Smaller scales rule out the possibility of rendering most of the details, such as individual bricks of church walls, carved window frames, wall paintings on the town hall or the decorative architectonic details.  And it is precisely those trifles which make the miniature, old-time Poznan so ‘real’,” the author adds.
For years, the mock-up was not available for the visitors to see. Only the author’s friends and relatives could admire it in his private flat. 3 years ago, the authorities of Poznan decided to support its exhibition and now it is one of the most interesting tourist