The portrayal of the Battle of Grunwald at HistoryLand in Poznan, Poland, has thousands of Lego knights charging into battle beneath a fiery sky. The clash in 1410 between Poland-Lithuania and German crusader knights of the Teutonic Order is regarded as both a keystone of Polish history and one of the country's great military triumphs. (ShaTyra Cox/Stars and Stripes)

Finding interesting ways to dive into Poland’s past has been on my wish list ever since I arrived in Poznan last month for my latest duty assignment.

But I didn’t want to be behind museum ropes or in front of centuries-old art, which ruled out, for example, a trip to Warsaw to see the dozen Jan Matejko paintings collectively titled “History of Civilization in Poland.”

Luckily, I found just the sort of presentation I was looking for right in Poznan in the form of creations made from Lego bricks — 1.5 million of them, to be specific.

Dubbed HistoryLand, the place is just across the street from the Sheraton with the life-size statue of a Polish soldier outside. The hotel is well-known to U.S. personnel, as most new arrivals have their temporary living quarters there.

HistoryLand is housed in one of the exhibition halls of the sprawling MTP Poznan Expo complex and offers mockups of 10 events or places of great significance from Poland’s past.

When I walked in, I wasn’t sure what to expect beyond a lot of Lego pieces. It turned out to be a surprisingly engaging way to fulfill my wish.

The elaborate and colorful details of each scene made me lean in close just to take it all in. I was quickly immersed in sights and sounds that brought to life Polish cities from Gdansk to Krakow, holy places and storied medieval battlefields.

Among the latter is the Battle of Grunwald, an epic 1410 victory for the forces of Poland-Lithuania over the Teutonic Order of German crusader knights. A Matejko canvas at the National Museum in Warsaw that depicts the battle extends across an entire wall.

Lego figures portray striking Polish workers gathered outside the gates of the historic shipyard in Gdansk in 1980. The exhibit at HistoryLand in Poznan, Poland, is one of the attraction's 10 historical scenes, which are made up of a combined 1.5 million Lego bricks. (ShaTyra Cox/Stars and Stripes)

A miniature version of the World War II Battle of Monte Cassino in Italy at HistoryLand in Poznan, Poland, depicts Polish forces advancing toward the monastery. The display is a tribute to the soldiers who helped secure the Allied victory in 1944. (ShaTyra Cox/Stars and Stripes)

Lego ships clash on a stormy sea in an exhibit at HistoryLand in Poznan, Poland, that portrays the Polish navy’s role in historic conflicts. (ShaTyra Cox/Stars and Stripes)

Thousands of Lego soldiers re-create the Battle of Grunwald in 1410 in this exhibit at HistoryLand in Poznan, Poland. The immersive display uses sound and light to depict the Polish-Lithuanian victory over the Teutonic Knights. (ShaTyra Cox/Stars and Stripes)

HistoryLand’s version takes a different approach, transforming the clash into a miniature battlefield filled with thousands of Lego knights, colorful banners and warhorses frozen mid-charge.

Once the lights on the scene went dim and the sound of battle rose from the accompanying speakers, it was easy to forget I was looking at plastic bricks. I instantly decided that the Battle of Grunwald exhibit was my favorite.

The display on the defense of Westerplatte at the start of World War II took me straight back to high school history class.

On Sept. 1, 1939, German forces launched the war with an assault on the peninsula north of Gdansk. They expected a quick victory but faced a heroic stand by a 182-man garrison, which held out for seven days and became a symbol of Polish resistance.

In the HistoryLand recounting of the events, flashes of red and orange illuminate a tiny Polish outpost surrounded by trees and sand-colored bricks. The sound of gunfire filled the room, creating a combination of light, sound and motion that made a powerful impression on me.

Another standout was the display on the ancient settlement at Biskupin, a place I’d never heard of. Located in the region that birthed the Polish state, the settlement was built on an island in Lake Biskupinskie some 2,500 years ago and inhabited by the Lusatian people for well over a century.

The real Biskupin was made entirely of wood. HistoryLand’s version captures that essence with thousands of tan and brown Lego bricks forming a ring of huts, watchtowers and bridges. Soft blue lighting mimics the lake, while subtle sounds of rushing water and birdsong make the scene feel alive.

I lingered here longer than I expected. The Biskupin exhibit also made me want to visit the actual place, which conveniently is just over an hour’s drive from Poznan.

A detailed Lego model of Jasna Gora Monastery on display at HistoryLand in Poznan, Poland. Known for pilgrimages to see the revered Black Madonna icon, the monastery in Czestochowa is a touchstone of the country's history and deep-rooted Catholic faith. (ShaTyra Cox/Stars and Stripes)

A life-sized Lego knight greets visitors at the entrance to HistoryLand in Poznan, Poland. Housed in one of the halls of the vast MTP Poznan Expo complex, the attraction uses 1.5 million Lego bricks to bring centuries of Polish history to life through visuals, sound and motion. (ShaTyra Cox/Stars and Stripes)

A Lego worker stands outside a depiction of the famous shipyard in Gdansk, one of the key sites in Poland’s struggle for freedom. The exhibit shows moments leading up to the rise of the Solidarity movement in the 1980s. (ShaTyra Cox/Stars and Stripes)

The Lego re-creation of St. Mary’s Church in Krakow on display at HistoryLand in Poznan, Poland, captures the iconic Gothic landmark in vivid detail, including its twin towers and ornate facade overlooking the city’s main square. (ShaTyra Cox/Stars and Stripes)

Lego soldiers representing Napoleonic troops march through a re-created European city scene at HistoryLand in Poznan, Poland. The interactive exhibition uses thousands of Lego bricks to tell Poland’s story dating back many centuries. (ShaTyra Cox/Stars and Stripes)

Poland’s deep-rooted Catholic faith, another major feature of the country’s history, is represented by displays introducing the Wawel Cathedral and St. Mary’s Church in Krakow, as well as the monastery of Jasna Gora, the greatest place of pilgrimage for Poles.

Before leaving, I stopped by the on-site Lego gift shop, which offered everything from small souvenir sets to in-depth models for serious builders. There’s also a coffee shop, which wasn’t open during my visit but would have provided a nice post-tour break.

What I enjoyed most was the way HistoryLand blended fun with learning. Audio guides are available in multiple languages for those who want more context, and I found it easy to get drawn into the storytelling.

The whole experience took me about 45 minutes, and the roughly 27,000-square-foot space is compact enough to fit into a morning or afternoon outing. I had ample “wow” moments that made the trip feel worth it.

cox.shatyra@stripes.com @oh.that.tyra

On the QT

Address: Ulica Glogowska 14, Hall 3A

Hours: Wednesday through Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 10a.m.-6 p.m. Last entrance, 5:15 p.m.

Prices: 40 zlotys ($11) for adults, 30 zlotys ($8) for 18 and under. Discounts available for families and groups.

Information: Online: historyland.pl/en