Rogalowe Muzeum Poznania is Poznan’s Croissant Experience. It opened to the public this summer (2014). While it’s not your typical museum, with rooms full of exhibits for you to leisurely stroll about, I can highly recommend it. The focus is Rogale Swietomarcinskie, a local pastry with a story to tell. Ā The city of Poznan was kind enough to invite me to a mediaĀ event regarding the famous croissant when I arrived in Poznan.Ā I’ve made them at home. Even with this experience and familiarity, I thoroughly enjoyed the 45 minute presentation and learned a few things!
The historical building that houses Rogalowe Muzeum PoznaniaĀ is part of the Stary Rynek. The front is still being renovated; you’ll find the entrance round the back, at Klasztorna 23. Admission is 14 PLN, 12 PLN for those 3 to 16. This is what you’ll find:
At the top of a flight of stairs, you’ll find the museum which is really more of a workshop, where they put on demonstrations scheduled throughout the day. I picked up a small flyer and the tourist information office in the Rynek and found that the next “performance” for me would be at 13:45. One of the staff who was outsideĀ spoke to me as I arrived. When he realized that I was a foreigner who didn’t speak Polish, he asked what brought me to Poznan, escorted me up the stairs to explain my situation to the two gentlemen doing the presentation.
I shared the experience with a group of 15 retired school teachers and an elementary school class on a field trip. Adults and children were called upon to help with the demonstration. The presentation not only involved the making and history of the croissant but also information on some things that are unique to Poznan. There’s also a video in Polish with English subtitles, part history, part legend. Samples are distributed during the workshop, and you have the chance to buy pastries as you leave.
During the introduction, I heard the fellow (who would occasionally pop into the empty chair next to me to act as my interpreter) say “Krzesiny” when speaking to the group. That doesn’t call for a response of “God bless you.” It’s the air base where Ed works. Ā So I wondered if he wasĀ talking about me. He was.
Later in the workshop, my interpreter relayed a message to me from one of the retired teachers. She wanted me to know that her husband had been a pilot at Krzesiny 50 years ago, and she was glad to think that there were two pilots’ wives in the group that day.
I didn’t have a chance to respond to her in person, so on the off chance that she may see this, let me sayĀ this. When you think about the fact that our husbands were flying during the Cold War, and today, our countries are allies, and weĀ had the chance to spend an afternoon togetherĀ focusing on pastry, I have to say, “Me too, Pani, me too!”
An accountant by trade and a food blogger since 2009, Lois Britton fell in love with Polish cuisine during the years she lived in PoznaÅ, Poland. As the creator of PolishHousewife.com,Ā she loves connecting readers with traditional Polish recipes. Lois has a graduate certificate in Food Writing and Photography from the University of South Florida. She is the author of The Polish Housewife Cookbook, available on Amazon and on her website.
Linda
Fascinating post and photos. Thank you so much for sharing.
polishhousewife
It was a fun afternoon, Linda. Thanks for stopping by and for your comment!