When I first tasted St. Martin’s Croissant Poznań, I had no idea I was about to bite into a piece of culinary heritage. Also known as Rogal Świętomarciński, this beautifully layered, crescent-shaped pastry is filled with white poppy seeds, almonds, and dried fruits — rich, nutty, and delicately sweet.
What is St. Martin’s Croissant Poznań?
Also known as Rogal Świętomarciński, this pastry is traditionally made with white poppy seeds, almonds, orange peel, and a buttery dough…
Where to Try St. Martin’s Croissant Poznańań?
St. Martin’s Croissant Poznań is only available in certified bakeries around St. Martin’s Day, November 11th. I bought mine from a small shop near the Rogalowe Muzeum Poznania (The Croissant Museum), right in the heart of the city.
If you're planning to visit, Poznań is full of history, colorful town squares, and cozy cafés. Learn more about this beautiful Polish city on the official tourism site of Poznań 🇵🇱
My Personal Tasting Experience
I didn’t expect a croissant to make me pause — but this one did. The layers were delicate, the filling unexpectedly rich…
I found mine at a charming bakery just steps away from the Rogalowe Muzeum Poznania (Croissant Museum). The buttery layers, the perfectly glossy glaze, and the surprise richness of the filling made it one of the most memorable pastries I’ve ever had — and I’ve tasted a lot of pastries.
This was more than dessert — it was cultural storytelling, wrapped in dough.



A Delicious Detour to Poznań
On my recent trip to Poland, I made a very special stop in the city of Poznań, all for one legendary pastry — the St. Martin’s Croissant (Rogale Świętomarcińskie). This beautiful city in western Poland is the only place in the world where this particular croissant is made according to tradition.
As part of my pastry pilgrimage, I joined a class at the Croissant Museum in Poznań, where I had the pleasure of learning from a local expert and meeting fellow pastry lovers from across Poland and Europe. Our class had 20 participants — and to my delight (and surprise!), I was chosen as the model student by the teacher 😆



Not only did I receive a certificate, but also a surprise gift — a special edition St. Martin’s croissant 🥐 with a decorative finish. Truly unforgettable!
What Makes Rogale Świętomarcińskie So Special?
During the workshop, our instructor shared some fascinating history behind this pastry. Here's a brief summary along with some extra research:
- The St. Martin’s Croissant (Polish: Rogale Świętomarcińskie) is a traditional pastry with a protected origin status (PGI).
- It is deeply connected to St. Martin’s Day (November 11) and has a legacy going back over 150 years. According to legend, a Poznań baker created the croissant to resemble a horseshoe, inspired by the symbol of Saint Martin, as a gesture of charity to the poor.
- Unlike the classic French croissant, this version uses a semi-puff pastry (similar to Danish dough), giving it a hybrid texture — part flaky, part bread-like.
- The filling is rich and unique, made with white poppy seeds, ground almonds, sugar, butter, egg whites, and raisins — resulting in a nutty, fragrant sweetness unlike anything else.
- In 2008, it was awarded PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) status by the EU, which means only croissants made in this region, using the traditional recipe, can carry the official name.
A Language Surprise
To top it all off — several locals complimented my Polish pronunciation, even asking if I had studied in Poland! 😅 Let’s just say... I’m now highly motivated to keep learning Polish.
Thank you, Poznań, for this warm and delicious memory. 🥐🇵🇱



More stories and travel-inspired recipes coming soon. Would you like to see a imagined version of this croissant using pistachios instead of poppy seeds? Let me know in the comments!
🇵🇱 中文版|波茲南的聖馬丁可頌
你可能未必聽過「波茲南 Poznań」,但這個波蘭城市,有一款歷史悠久又令人驚艷的可頌 —— 聖馬丁可頌(Rogal Świętomarciński)。
只有在每年 11 月的聖馬丁節前後,你才有機會在這裡吃到它。那是我吃過最美的一顆可頌,不單是外表華麗,而是它內裏充滿白罌粟、杏仁和果乾的香氣,就像一段被包進甜點裡的故事。
我在波茲南老城旁的小店買下它,然後走到附近的「可頌博物館」門前拍照,還未咬一口,就已經覺得:這是一趟值得被記住的旅程。
📍 想更了解波茲南,可以看這個官方旅遊網站:https://www.poznan.travel/en





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