Wroclaw is the chief city of the historical region of Lower Silesia in south-western Poland, situated on the Oder river. Over the centuries the city has been part of Poland, Bohemia, Austria, Prussia, and Germany. In 1945, the Potsdam Agreement returned the city to Poland after many centuries.
Since 1999 it has been the capital of Lower Silesian Voivodeship. According to official population figures for 2006, its population is 635,280, making it the fourth largest city in Poland.
Wroclaw in Polish, formally known as Breslau in German, is a large undiscovered gem of a city in southwestern Poland in the historic region of Silesia. It boasts fascinating architecture, many rivers and bridges, and a lively and metropolitan cultural scene.
It is a city with a troubled past, having seen much violence and devastation, and was almost completely destroyed during the end of the Second World War.
However, it has been brilliantly restored and can now be counted amongst the highlights of Poland, and all of Central Europe. As Poland rushes headlong into further integration with the rest of Europe, now is the time to visit before the tourist hordes (and high prices) arrive. Read Norman Davies’and Roger Moorhouse’s Microcosm: Portrait of a Central European City to understand the complicated history of the town.
Wroclaw has been historically considered one of the warmest cities in Poland. Lying in the Lower-Silesian region, one of the warmest in Poland, the mean annual temperature is 8.5 °C.
Main Tourist sights:
- Rynek (market square) with the 14th century Town Hall
- Hala Ludowa (”Peoples’ Hall”, originally German: Jahrhunderthalle, “Centennial Hall”) by Max Berg — a World Heritage Site
- Ostrow Tumski (”Cathedral Island”, German: Dominsel) with Wroc?aw Cathedral
- Raclawice Panorama
- Plac Grunwaldzki (”Grunwald Square”, named for the Battle of Grunwald)
- St. Elisabeth’s Church
Wroclaw Palace
The centre of Wroclaw is navigable on foot, but the feature has an excellent public-transport system for access to the suburbs and outlying attractions. The city has 60 bus lines and 25 tram lines. During the past year large areas of the surrounding area of Wroclaw have been closed for extensive road works.
As such there are many diversions, journey times in and out of the city have increased especially at peak times and a few tram lines have been diverted or removed from service temporarily.
Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, ul. Katedralna, open 10am-6pm (closed Sundays), admission 4z?, tower admission 5z?. Dating from the 13th century, featuring stunning architecture and the largest church organ in Poland.
The Rynek, or central square, is the architectural centre-point of Wroclaw, and its most obvious attraction. It is one of the biggest town squares in Europe, and is lined on all sides with photogenic and interesting buildings. Centre of tourist life, place where tourists drink beer.
Town Hall, ul. Sukiennice 14, south side of the Rynek, open 11am-5pm (closed Monday), admission 4z?. Construction of the town hall began in the 14th century. It was one of the few major buildings in Wroclaw to survive World War 2, and it now serves as the Museum of Burgher Art. The interior features stunning Gothic interiors. Swidnicka Cellar, academically documented more than 500 years of beer drinking in this place.
Ostrow Tumski, a group of islands on the Oder River with beautiful Cathedrals and a few hundred year old buildings, for those who would have romantic evening, walking through mystery brick stoned streets it is a MUST. It is complete with hand-lit oil lamps lit nightly St. Elizabeth’s Church, ul. Elzbiety 1, open 9am-4pm (1pm-4pm Sundays), tower admission (no lift) 5z?. On the northeast side of the Rynek, this is a large and imposing medieval building with a 90m high tower with spectacular views over the old town.
Salt Square Pl. Solny, formerly salt market, now flower market, Panorama of the battle of Rac?awice, (pl: Panorama Rac?awicka), ul. Purkyniego 11, open 9am-4pm Tuesday-Sunday, admission 20z? (includes admission to National Museum and Ethnographic Museum valid for one week). This giant 360-degree painting, depicting a Polish military victory in 1794, is a popular symbol of Polish nationalism. Guided tours in English, French and German run every hour at no extra cost. National Museum, Pl. Powstancow, open 10am-4pm (closed Monday), admission 15z?. Features a large collection of Polish art. Opera House, ul. Swidnicka.
Park Szczytnicki, East-central Wroc?aw. Very large, spanning over a few kilometers, it’s a common place for walks. Becomes incredibly colorful in autumn and should not be missed if you travel there in late September or October.
Japanese Garden, a part of Park Szczytnicki, open 9am-7pm April – October, admission 2zl. A remainder from the ‘World Expo’ of 1913 held in Wroclaw, this is a large landscaped garden restored with the assistance of the Japanese government. Eastern Park (pl: Park Wschodni) on the bank of Olawa river is a masterpiece of design, but left forgotten for decades.
After few years of restoration it’s now a true gem especially worth visiting in April when wetland flowers are blooming or autumn when vegetation turns into picturesque blend of reds, yellows and gold. As it borders semi-wild forests and has plenty of water, you may even watch swans taking care of their nests just few meters from the walking path.
Botanical Garden, ul. Sienkiewicza Max Berg’s Centennial Hall (Breslau Dome, former Jahrhundert Halle, pl: Hala Ludowa) One of the first and biggest concrete halls, mentioned in any history of architecture. See article.
This site has been included on the UNESCO World Heritage List Breslau Office Building by Hans Poelzig Synagogue “Under the White Stork”, 19th century synagogue, Interesting structures in Wroclaw Wroclaw Aiguille – a distinctive object placed close to the Breslau Dome.
Wroclaw, like most of Poland, is a very safe city but you should exercise the usual caution and keep guard of your valuables especially around crowded places or places popular with tourists like the main train station or the town square.
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