Poland: a weekend trip to Wrocław

In the last eight months, I’ve been to Wrocław twice: in August, when the city was green and full of tourists, and last weekend, on the first real day of spring. This is a combined post from both trips as the places we’ve visited and photos we’ve taken supplement each other very well. For those who live in Berlin, Wrocław can become a perfect weekend trip destination: you can easily reach the city with a car or with a bus within 3,5 – 4,5 hours.

Before the World War II, the city was called Breslau and belonged to Germany. It became part of Poland under the terms of the Potsdam Conference, only then the Polish name of “Wrocław” was declared official. Nowadays, Wrocław is the fourth biggest city in Poland. In 2016, the city was a European Capital of Culture and the World Book Capital.

What to see in Wrocław

The Market Square

Address: Rynek 50, 50-996 Wrocław, Poland

The most famous sightseeing place in Wrocław is the Main Market Square (Rynek), lined with elegant townhouses and hosting a modern fountain. The Gothic Old Town Hall carrying a large astronomical clock was built in the 13^th century is also situated here and represents one of the main landmarks of the city.

St. Elizabeth’s Church: Wrocław from above

Address: Świętej Elżbiety 1/2, 50-001 Wrocław, Poland, elzbieta.archidiecezja.wroc.pl

St. Elizabeth’s Church is among the oldest churches in Wrocław and the tallest buildings in the city’s old town. The highlight of the building is the open for the visitors 91-meter tall tower. The view from the top is absolutely stunning and is definitely worth a 200-step climb. The entrance fee is 1,5 Euro.

The University of Wrocław, Aula Leopoldina and Oratorium Marianum

Address: plac Uniwersytecki 1, 48-300 Wrocław, Poland

The University of Wrocław is a remarkable building built in the beginning of the 18th century which hosts beautiful learning rooms and gorgeous staircases with painted ceilings.

The revelation of the trip was Aula Leopoldina, built in 1732 ornate baroque hall full of beautiful frescoes and sculptures. When we were there, I couldn’t believe that Wrocław students were allowed to study in this luxurious room.

The Oratorium Marianum was once a place of prayer and a music hall. Sadly, during the World War II everything in that beautiful room except for a very few walls and plasters was destroyed. However, thanks to the funding by various organizations and efforts of the teams of artists this room was fantastically well restored and leaves a strong impression in the visitors’ souls.

The visit prices start with 2 Euro.

Ostrów Tumski

Ostrów Tumski is the oldest part of the city of Wrocław, formerly it was an island between branches of the Oder River. The best view to the Ostrów Tumski reveals from the opposite side, from the bulwar Xawerego Dunikowskiego.

Tumski Bridge

Address: Świętej Jadwigi 1, 50-266 Wrocław, Poland

What to do in Wrocław

Visit the Racławice Panorama

Addresse: Jana Ewangelisty Purkyniego 11, 50-155 Wrocław, Poland

There you will admire a monumental cycloramic (360-degree) painting depicting the 1794 Battle of Racławice. Opening hours and ticket prices you can check here: https://www.panoramaraclawicka.pl/index.html

Go hunting for dwarfs

The small figures of krasnale (Polish for dwarfs), only 20-30 cm tall, first appeared in the streets of Wrocław, in 2001 to commemorate the Polish anti-communist movement (a dwarf was their symbol). Since then, the number of dwarfs has been continually growing: in 2015, there were over 350 dwarfs spread all over the city. Every year in September a dwarfs festival is held in Wrocław.

Here you can learn all about the dwarfs: http://krasnale.pl/en/