Gołębia 1A, Poznań, Przewodnik dla zwiedzających i co robić w okolicy

Gołębia 1A in Poznań is the address of the Fara, the Baroque Jesuit church that stands just off the Old Town. Built by the Jesuits in the 17th and 18th centuries, it is counted among the finest examples of Baroque architecture in Poland and is one of the city's most striking interiors and facades.

The story behind it

The Jesuits raised the church in the 17th and 18th centuries as a statement of confidence and faith. The whole building was designed to impress. Columns, statues and paintings draw the eye upward, in line with the Baroque idea of lifting visitors toward the divine.

The order left its signature in stone. Above the entrance you can find the letters AMDG, short for Ad Maiorem Dei Gloriam, "for the greater glory of God", the motto of the Jesuits. A Latin inscription on the church describes it as the house of God and the gate of heaven, which suits a building meant to feel like a threshold.

What to look for

• Look above the main entrance for the letters AMDG, the Jesuit motto carved into the facade.
• Find the Latin inscription that calls the church the house of God and the gate of heaven.
• Follow the vertical lines of the columns and statues with your eyes and notice how the composition pulls your gaze upward.
• Step back into the street or square in front to take in the full Baroque facade, then compare it with the more modest buildings around it.

Tips for your visit

• Allow 20 to 30 minutes for the church and its facade, longer if you want to sit quietly inside.
• It is a working church, so dress modestly, keep your voice low and check current opening hours and any service times before going in.
• Soft morning or late afternoon light shows off the carved details of the facade best.
• It sits in the Old Town, a short walk from the Old Market Square, so it combines easily with the rest of the historic centre.

See it on a quest

Poznan Old Town Highlights: A Secret Diary takes you through the historic heart of the city on foot. You reach the places on the route one after another, the app tells you about each as you arrive, and you solve a puzzle in front of what you are looking at. One ticket covers the whole group, and you can start whenever suits you.

The Missing Goats of Poznań is a playful way to explore the same part of town, built around the city's famous goats. You walk from stop to stop, hear the story of each place from the app and solve a puzzle on the spot, with no guide and no fixed start time. One ticket covers the whole group.