The acclivity which towered above the area already in 1253, the time Poznan obtained its municipal rights, used to be the seat of the Duke of Wielkopolska, Przemysł I, who erected a habitable tower here. The construction of the castle was initiated by king Przemysł II and finished by Kazimierz Wielki, who used to be a governor of Poznan before his coronation. From the 14th century, the castle was also the seat of royal governor – starost general. Later it housed a municipal chancellery, court and archives which collected the documents of local nobility. During the times of Poland’s partitions, it was the seat of a higher court and in the years 1869 – 1945 State Archives. At present, the preserved buildings host a museum. In the near future the efforts to reconstruct the castle of Przemysł II may be initiated. Everyday items, both of decorative and religious nature, from the times of Middle Ages until contemporary era, are presented in the museum. Only a small part of over 11,000 exhibits is displayed at a permanent exhibition. You can see here the collections of rare furniture, tapestry, clocks, artefacts made of silver, tin, gold and semi-precious stones, pottery and glassware. Apart from exhibits from Poland, there are also items from Orient and numerous European countries. [Zbigniew Szmidt; Museums in historic buildings and facilities; Poznan 2007]