Scientists to Poznań authorities: there are other places for new residential buildings than Ostrów Tumski

Art historians specializing in artistic and historical heritage have issued an appeal to Poznań authorities to abandon plans to build a housing estate in the northern part of Ostrów Tumski. They pointed out that the city has other suitable locations for housing developments besides Cathedral Island.

According to the draft local development plan prepared by the Municipal Urban Planning Studio in Poznań, a residential district with multi-story buildings and underground garages would be built in the northern part of the historic island, adjacent to the historic cathedral buildings, including the relics of the seat of the first rulers of Poland.

Professors from the art history institutes of Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, the University of Warsaw, the Jagiellonian University, and the University of Gdańsk have issued an appeal to the Poznań authorities regarding this matter. Among the signatories are the director of the Wawel Royal Castle, Professor Andrzej Betlej, and the director of the Royal Castle in Warsaw, Professor Małgorzata Omilanowska-Kiljańczyk.

In a letter to the Mayor of Poznań and the Chairman of the Poznań City Council, it was emphasized that the consequence of adopting the prepared spatial development plan for implementation would be the degradation of the most valuable urban and architectural complex of the city of Poznań.

– We appeal to abandon these harmful plans and initiate a broad public discussion on the revalorization of this part of Ostrów Tumski – the scientists emphasized.

The authors of the appeal noted that Cathedral Island is a place of exceptional significance, transcending local or regional horizons. It is the cradle of the Polish state and nation, containing testimony to over a thousand years of history and outstanding works of art. They emphasized that Ostrów Tumski "is not the exclusive property of the current residents of Poznań, but they bear a special responsibility for preserving this heritage for future generations."

"This year marks the thousandth anniversary of the coronation of the first Polish king, who was buried in Poznań Cathedral, and serves as a reminder of the significance of this place to our history. It would be a bitter irony if this year saw the decision to irreversibly destroy the historic face of the oldest part of our city," the appeal states.

Scientists have pointed out that Ostrów Tumski has retained its enclave character, with the dominant cathedral and other historic buildings nestled among scattered, lower-rise developments. The introduction of a large housing estate to the island's northern area would irreversibly destroy this character.

According to the authors of the appeal, the city has a unique opportunity to enhance the value of Poznań's oldest part. It should not treat this area as a mere development site, but as part of the city's historical and natural structure.

– There is no shortage of space for new residential buildings in Poznań and there is no rational reason to fill every “empty” piece of land in the city center with banal apartment blocks – the signatories of the letter emphasized.

They pointed out that the adoption of the planned spatial development plan would result in the degradation of the city's most valuable urban and architectural complex. "Therefore, we appeal to you to halt these harmful plans and initiate a broad public discussion on the proper redevelopment of this part of Ostrów Tumski," they wrote.

The area of Ostrów Tumski is the oldest part of Poznań. The island was the seat of Poland's first rulers. Mieszko I built his palatium there. The first cathedral in Poland was also built nearby, and in 968, the first bishopric in Poland was established there. (PAP)

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