Summary
The university city of Wrocław serves as the capital of Lower Silesia and frequently ranks among the most desirable places to live in Europe. Wrocław’s history is intricately complex; over the past millennium, it has been governed by eight different kingdoms and empires.
During the Habsburg Monarchy in the Early Modern Era, Wrocław developed much of its Baroque architecture and cultural institutions, including a university that has produced nine Nobel laureates. It is often referred to as “Poland’s Venice,” due to the Oder River dissecting into multiple channels, spanned by more than 100 bridges. Though substantial portions of the city were devastated in a three-month siege during the Second World War, Wrocław’s historical treasures remain remarkably intact today.
Let’s explore the best attractions in Wrocław:
1. Old Town
During the Siege of Breslau, Wrocław was nearly destroyed, making the skyline of church steeples and Baroque gabled houses all the more remarkable.
The Market Square and Cathedral Island should be prioritized; however, Wrocław also rewards those who wish to explore spontaneously.
Plac Solny is a charming location, renowned for its vibrant flower market, and hosts St Elizabeth’s Church, the tallest church in the city, with a climbable tower for those looking for a challenge.
Not far from there lies Stare Jatki, perhaps the best-preserved street in the city, which features a continuous row of buildings dating back to the 1600s and 1700s.
For added enjoyment, see how many of Wrocław’s 300 small bronze “dwarf” statues you can discover while you stroll through the Old Town.
2. Rynek (Market Square)
At 3.8 hectares, Wrocław’s Market Square ranks among the largest not only in Poland but across Europe.
Like the remainder of the Old Town, the Market Square retains nearly the same layout as when it was designed in the mid-13th century.
A great deal of the architecture, including the colorful tenement houses surrounding the square, required substantial restoration following the Second World War.
The pillory located next to the Town Hall, dating back to 1492, had to be meticulously reconstructed.
This feature, together with the Zdrój fountain from 2000 and the statue of writer Aleksander Fredro, serves as one of the three favored meeting spots for locals in Wrocław.
3. Ostrów Tumski (Cathedral Island)
The oldest section of Wrocław emerged on what was once an island in the Oder River.
By the 19th century, the river’s arm separating it from the bank was closed off to mitigate flooding.
When Ostrów Tumski was initially developed in the 10th century, the river provided a natural defense, and the earliest brick structures appeared around the mid-12th century.
This quarter is one of the most picturesque for leisurely walks, with churches at nearly every turn and the streets illuminated by authentic gas lamps at night.
Travelers visiting at dusk can observe the traditional lamp lighter illuminating the paths.
Allocate about an hour to explore the medieval treasures housed in the Archdiocese Museum located at the episcopal palace.
4. Old Town Hall
Positioned at an angle on the Market Square, the Old Town Hall consists of an assemblage of Gothic structures consolidated into a single complex.
As Wrocław evolved from the late 13th century, new wings were added to adapt to the political and economic shifts occurring in the city over the subsequent 250 years.
On the Late Gothic eastern facade, one can find an astronomical clock dating to 1580. The interior features a complimentary museum detailing the history of the structure, along with exhibitions related to various aspects of life in Wrocław, including the city’s tram network.
The plush council chamber upstairs and the merchants’ hall on the ground level can also be explored.
As with many town halls in former German regions, a beer cellar in the basement houses one of the oldest restaurants in Europe, Piwnica Świdnicka.
5. Racławice Panorama
The Battle of Racławice, which occurred on April 4, 1794, resulted in a Polish victory during the ultimately unsuccessful Kościuszko Uprising against Russia.
To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the battle, the Lviv-based artist Jan Styka initiated a large cycloramic painting measuring 15 x 114 meters, inviting other renowned artists of the era to contribute.
This panorama, fueled by a surge of Polish nationalism, was incredibly successful and was displayed in Lviv until after the Second World War when it was transported to Wrocław.
Its patriotic themes during the Soviet era meant it remained hidden until 1985. Since that time, the Racławice Panorama has been exhibited in a rotunda in Wrocław, illustrating a battle deeply embedded in the Polish national consciousness.
6. Wrocław University
The main facility of the city’s esteemed university also functions as a museum.
This establishment, which evolved from a Jesuit college, was founded by Holy Roman Emperor Leopold in 1702. A major highlight is the lavishly decorated Baroque hall, Aula Leopoldina, showcasing a ceiling fresco, gilded stucco, sculpted cherubs, and portraits of the university’s founding figures.
The Oratorium Marianum, now serving as the university’s music hall, is equally splendid, while the Mathematical Tower, the former Astronomical Observatory, features a 42-meter tower and a meridian line on its floor.
Within the exhibition areas, one can delve into the history of the university, where Alois Alzheimer was a professor, and which has produced nine Nobel laureates.
7. Royal Palace
Frederick the Great selected this Baroque palace as his residence following Prussia’s acquisition of Silesia in the 1740s.
Over the next century, each Prussian king made further alterations and adaptations, incorporating styles from Rococo to Neoclassical and Neo-Renaissance.
The building sustained significant damage during the war, and after extensive restorations, it was converted into the location for Wrocław’s City Museum.
Visitors can become acquainted with the city’s complex 1,000-year history, reflect on numerous artifacts, and admire the palace’s exquisite interiors.
A notable feature is the Beyersdorf Room, adorned with Dutch 17th-century tiles, while outside, the Baroque formal gardens present intricate broderie designs.
8. Wrocław Cathedral
Constructed in the Brick Gothic style during the 13th century following the destruction caused by the Mongol invasion, the cathedral is notable for its soaring towers, reaching almost 100 meters.
The Siege of Breslau inflicted severe damages upon the structure, leaving about three-quarters in ruins; restoration continued until 1991. The interior comprises 21 chapels, with the most exquisite being the Italian Baroque Chapel of St Elizabeth, featuring a dome fresco that depicts the saint’s death, burial, and celestial glory.
Additional highlights include the 1552 Dormition of Mary triptych, the oak-carved choir stalls from the 1660s, and the numerous ledger stones ranging from Gothic to Baroque styles.
It also features a lift to transport visitors to the top of one of the towers, providing spectacular views of Wrocław.
9. Wrocław Fountain
This impressive structure, located near the UNESCO-listed Centennial Hall, is Poland’s largest fountain, spanning a full hectare.
Completed in 2009 to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the first free elections in post-war Poland, it features a lengthy, ivy-covered pergola around its perimeter.
The fountain is equipped with 800 programmable lights capable of changing colors, 300 adjustable water jets, and three nozzles that shoot flames into the sky.
For a mesmerizing display, visit in the evening from May to September, right on the hour, for a spectacular show combining illumination, dancing water jets, and music.
Special shows also take place on weekends at 22:00.
10. Centennial Hall
Constructed in 1913 for the 100th anniversary of Napoleon’s defeat at the Battle of Leipzig, the Centennial Hall represents a technical achievement from the end of Wrocław’s German era.
Built at great expense and designed by the city architect Max Berg, this exhibition hall illustrated the possibilities of reinforced concrete.
With a maximum capacity of 11,000, the hall boasts a dome that is 69 meters high and 42 meters in diameter.
Acknowledging its innovative design, if not its aesthetic qualities, the hall was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2006. Following its refurbishment in 2009, a discovery center opened within the hall, featuring interactive displays and light shows projected onto the expansive dome.
11. Szczytnicki Park
Located east of the “Old Oder,” Szczytnicki Park is a 100-hectare woodland area that has drawn nature enthusiasts in Wrocław since the 18th century.
This landscape park, one of the first in Europe, was established here in 1783 by the German commander of the Wrocław garrison.
As part of the celebrations that also led to the construction of the Centennial Hall, a Japanese garden was introduced to the park in 1913.
This garden received restoration in 1994, presenting a genuine slice of Japanese culture within Europe.
Additionally, the stave Church of St John of Nepomuk, built in the 16th and 17th centuries, was relocated here from the Opole region to commemorate the centenary.
12. University Botanical Garden
Situated on the north side of Ostrów Tumski, this is the second oldest botanical garden in Poland.
The garden provides insights into the history of this former island, as it was planted on what was previously a riverbed in 1811. Managed by the Faculty of Biological Sciences, the garden encompasses 11,500 plants across 7.5 hectares, representing a variety of climate zones and environments such as tropical, subtropical, underwater, alpine, wetland, and rocky.
This oasis is further enhanced by the churches of Ostrów Tumski bordering its southern edge and features a long crescent-shaped pond, an aquarium, a shop, and a café.
The garden is open from May to August and hosts evening concerts and activities for children throughout the summer.
13. Kolejkowo
Located in Świebodzki Station, just a short stroll from the Market Square, is Poland’s largest model railway.
While children will particularly enjoy Kolejkowo, parents and enthusiasts alike will be captivated by its intricate details and extensive miniature world.
The exhibit includes 2,850 hand-painted figures of people and animals, 224 landmarks from Wrocław and Lower Silesia, and 188 toy vehicles on the roads beside the tracks.
The railway itself spans 430 meters of track with 60 carriages pulled by 15 trains.
Kolejkowo also boasts many clever features such as a day-night cycle and a vibrant assortment of miniature characters, including construction workers, nuns, skiers, farmers, and circus performers.
14. Hydropolis
The municipal water and sewerage board of Wrocław has repurposed an underground water reservoir, constructed in 1893, into a modern, high-tech museum. Opened to the public in 2015, this museum features interactive and multisensory installations that examine the theme of water from numerous perspectives.
Visitors have the opportunity to learn about the history of water engineering, explore the depths of the Mariana Trench, comprehend the physics of water in its various states, and discover the stories of historical seafarers.
A 500-meter stream meanders through the museum beneath a glass panel floor, which enhances the experience, while a Children’s Zone offers educational games.
15. Wrocław Zoo
As the most-visited zoo in Poland, it is also the largest and oldest in the country.
Moreover, Wrocław Zoo is noted for hosting the third highest variety of species of any attraction worldwide, with 1,382 species recorded in the most recent count.
New exhibits continue to enhance the experience, with one of the latest additions being the Afrikarium aquarium complex, which opened in 2014. The complex offers four distinct environments—Red Sea Beach and reed, East Africa, Mozambique Canal, and Congo Jungle—featuring freshwater and saltwater aquariums, as well as habitats for crocodiles, rays, brown sharks, and hippopotamuses.
Moreover, the Madagascar Pavilion is noteworthy, showcasing the island’s native flora and a variety of lemur species that can be seen in the branches overhead.
