POSEN (Pol. Poznań), the capital of the above province, a strongly-fortified town on both sides of the Warthe, 149 miles E. by S. of Berlin. It is pretty well and regularly built, and is entered by four gates. In the middle of a large market-place stands the town-hall, a Gothic building of the sixteenth century, with a tower erected in 1730, which is the highest in Posen. In the interior there are some curious sculptures, and statues of several Polish kings. Another large and splendid square, the Wilhelmsplatz, contains the theatre and the public library of 26,000 volumes,—the latter occupying a building erected in 1836, with a portico of twenty-four Corinthian columns in front. In the suburb of Wallischei, which lies on the right bank of the river, and is connected with the rest of the town by a wooden and a stone bridge, stands the cathedral, a building of no great pretensions, but containing several ancient monuments,—among the rest that of the Woywoda Gurka and those of the bishops of Posen. The Golden Chapel, added to the main building in 1842, is a richly-decorated specimen of the Byzantine style. The church of St Stanislas is a beautiful building in the Italian style. Numerous other churches, a synagogue, and several convents, are contained in the town. The former Jesuits' college is now used as a government-house. Posen contains two gymnasia, a Roman Catholic normal seminary, and several other educational and charitable institutions. The town was made a fortress of the first rank by the erection in 1828 of Fort Winiary. It stands on a hill to the north of the town, of which, as well as of the hilly and well-watered country round about, it commands a fine view. The manufactures of Posen are numerous, consisting of linen and woolen cloth, chintz, calico, leather, tobacco, sealing-wax, carriages, &c. An active trade is carried on; there are two wool markets, and three much-frequented annual fairs. Posen is said to have been, next to Gnesen, the most ancient city of Poland, and the residence and place of burial of the dukes and kings of that country. It was originally built only on the right bank of the Warthe; but in 1250 that part which lies on the other side was founded. All the finest parts of the town have risen since Posen became a part of Prussia. Pop. (1852) 44,039.