Looking for remnants of the People's Republic? Cast your camera to the western end of ul. Grudnia, where the imposing Okrąglak (Rotunda) presides over a four-point intersection that represents the epicentre of Modernist Poznań. Standing front and centre is the ‘Okrąglak’ rotunda, named for its round shape. Completed in 1954 to a blueprint by Marek Leykam, this cylindrical marvel is eight stories high with an incredible spiral staircase curling skyward at its centre, at the top of which is a 360-degree open-air roof terrace. Bucking the socialist realist trends of the day with its modernist design, this was once Poznań’s top department store; it was here that during the lean years of communism locals would queue to buy ‘luxury’ products unavailable elsewhere. After years of neglect, it was revitalised into modern office space in 2012 and is once again one of the city’s defining landmarks. Although not necessarily open to the public, do wriggle inside to see its famous photogenic staircase, and try to talk your way up to the roof.

Just next door, also take notice of the complementary ‘Kwadraciak’ (Little Square) office building, which features a similar modernist facade. Other examples of Le Corbusier-inspired modernist architecture within view include the ‘Domar’ building at 27 Grudnia 17/19 (built 1963), and the revitalised ‘Dom Książki’ (House of Books) building at Gwarna 13 (b. 1975).

As for Marek Leykam, the distinguished brain-box who designed the iconic Okrąglak, more of his work can be found in the shape of the University of Physical Education in Poznań (ul. Królowej Jadwigi 27/39), as well as in the capital – it was he who designed the Government Office on ul. Wspólna 62, as well as the 10th Anniversary Stadium bulldozed to make way for the brand new National Stadium in Warsaw.