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    Tourist Attractions in Wroclaw

    The most interesting and beautiful tourist attractions in Wroclaw. Photos and a brief description.

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    About Wroclaw

    Wroclaw on the Oder is a city of greenery and bridges, passing the prize in the ongoing struggle of European monarchs for power over Silesia. Wroclaw was founded in 1000 and since then has managed to visit many states, until after 1945 it was finally returned to Poland. The constant change of rulers was reflected in the appearance of the city. Today, tourists can observe a mixture of architectural styles of different eras on the streets.

    The main attractions of Wroclaw are located on Tumsky Island, as well as around the Market Square and surrounding neighborhoods. The main tourist routes pass by medieval temples, palaces, museums, parks and gardens. Wroclaw is good in any weather, but it is especially beautiful in spring, when the first foliage appears on the trees.

    Top Tourist Attractions in Wroclaw

    Town Hall and Market Square

    The market square of Wroclaw is the center of life of the medieval city, where the main events took place, trade unfolded, and people learned the latest news. Among the mansions of noble persons and ancient buildings, the town hall occupies a special place. This magnificent building in the late Gothic style was built from the XIV to the XVI centuries. Today, the historical museum is located in the city council building.

    Town Hall and Market Square
    The Wroclaw Gnomes

    The Wroclaw Gnomes

    Small bronze statues that began to appear in Wroclaw in the early 2000s. They can be found all over the city. For tourists, there are even special maps with the location of the dwarfs. Periodically, sculptures are broken or stolen, and new ones are installed in their place. Each gnome has its own story, which the traveler can hear from the guide.

    Wroclaw Water Park

    The Wroclaw Water Park was built in 2008. It is very popular with locals and tourists. A visit to the slides will be a great alternative to long walking tours of historical sites and will give new strength for further walks. In addition to attractions and swimming pools, the water park has a modern SPA area with salt caves and several types of baths.

    Wroclaw Water Park
    Centennial Hall and the Wroclaw Fountain

    Centennial Hall and the Wroclaw Fountain

    The Centennial Hall is a historical building built at the beginning of the XX century according to the project of M. Berg for the 100th anniversary of the victory over Napoleon. It became one of the earliest examples of concrete construction, for which it was included in the UNESCO list in 2006. In 2009, a color music fountain was launched next to the Hall. In the evenings, during colorful shows, water jets soar 40 meters into the sky, and bizarre pictures appear on the water surface.

    Sculpture group "Transition 1977-2005"

    The composition is dedicated to the popular protests of 1981, when a political crisis occurred in Poland. It was created by the sculptor E. Kalina. The group consists of several figures. Some of them go underground and represent people who went missing during the unrest, while the other part, on the contrary, comes out of the ground and symbolizes victory over the regime. The composition is dedicated to all those who suffered during the repression.

    Sculpture group
    Wroclaw Cathedral

    Wroclaw Cathedral

    The temple was built in the XIII century. It became the first religious building in the Gothic style in Poland. Moreover, it was the first church built of brick. More than 70% of the building was destroyed during World War II, but part of the historical interior was still saved. After the reconstruction in 1951, the cathedral was re-consecrated. Restoration work continued until 1991.

    St. Elzbieta 's Church

    The temple is located on the northwest side of the Market Square. From the surrounding buildings, it is distinguished by an impressive 90-meter tower. Previously, its height was 130 meters, but after the earthquake of 1529, its size decreased. The church was built at the beginning of the XIV century in the Gothic style. In the XIII century, in its place there was a stone Romanesque church of St. Lawrence of Rome.

    St. Elzbieta 's Church
    Cathedral of St. Mary Magdalene

    Cathedral of St. Mary Magdalene

    The Gothic church of the XIII century, which was destroyed and rebuilt several times in the following centuries. Since 1525, the church became Protestant and remained so until the end of the Second World War. Today the Cathedral of St. Mary Magdalene has the status of a Catholic cathedral church. The interior of the church was partially damaged in 1945. What was left was moved to the National Museum.

    Royal Palace

    The palace used to be the residence of the Prussian kings. The building was erected at the beginning of the XVIII century in the style of Viennese architecture. After Silesia came under the control of Prussia, the ruler Frederick the Great bought the palace and converted it into his residence. In 1845, the building was rebuilt in the Renaissance style according to the project of F. A. Stuhler. After the restoration in 2008, a historical museum was opened on the territory of the palace.

    Royal Palace
    Shopping complex on Sandy Street

    Shopping complex on Sandy Street

    An indoor market located in one of the historical districts of Wroclaw. The complex was built in 1908 according to the project of R. Pludeman. The need to erect such a structure arose because at the beginning of the XX century Wroclaw was one of the most populous cities in Germany (at that time Poland as a state did not yet exist). Today, the market continues to be used for its intended purpose. It sells flowers, vegetables and fruits.

    Yas and Malgosya are at home

    Yas and Malgosya are the characters of a Polish folk tale. Small houses in the center of Wroclaw, preserved since the XVI century, are named after them. Bell ringers, church employees and undertakers used to live in them. Today, the buildings house an exhibition gallery and the Wroclaw Amateur Society. Houses connected by a small arch stand at an angle to each other. There used to be a cemetery behind them.

    Yas and Malgosya are at home
    Wroclaw Opera

    Wroclaw Opera

    The building of the musical theater was erected in the XIX century according to the project of K. F. Langgans in the classical style. The names of many famous composers are associated with the opera: R. Wagner, N. Paganini, R. Strauss, F. Liszt. Immediately after the opening, dramatic performances were staged on the stage, at the beginning of the XX century opera works appeared in the repertoire. The theater building is a valuable historical monument.

    National Music Forum

    A concert venue that combines four large halls, three chamber halls, rehearsal rooms, office space and a recording studio. The building was designed by one of the most prestigious architectural studios in Poland. The interior of the Forum is quite concise and modern. It is made without the frills and decorations that are usually inherent in the interior decoration of the classical Philharmonic.

    National Music Forum
    National Museum

    National Museum

    An art gallery where the works of the best painters and sculptors of Silesia are exhibited, as well as rich collections of products by local craftsmen. Many exhibits have moved here from churches. A separate part of the exhibition is devoted to contemporary Polish art of the XX century. The National Museum has one of the largest collections of works of art among all Polish galleries.

    Ratslavitskaya panorama

    The painting depicts the Battle of Raclavice, which took place during the Kosciuszko national liberation movement. Then the Polish rebels fought with the Russian troops. The panorama was created in Lviv in honor of the 100th anniversary of the battle. The artists V. Kossak and Ya worked on it . Joint. They got a grandiose canvas 114 meters long, 15 meters high and 38 meters in diameter.

    Ratslavitskaya panorama
    Kolaikovo

    Kolaikovo

    This is a mock-up of a railway, which consists of 430 meters of railway track, 15 trains and several dozen cars. All this moves against the background of the "revived" rural landscapes of Lower Silesia and scenes from everyday life, perfectly modeled by the creators. The layout is located on the territory of Slobodsky railway station in the center of Wroclaw, about 800 meters from the Market Square.

    Hydropolis

    An interactive center where visitors can learn a lot about water. It opened in 2016 in a former underground reservoir of the XIX century, which for a long time provided Wroclaw with drinking water. The hydropolis is divided into 8 thematic zones. It is simultaneously a museum, an interactive platform for installations and a place of environmental education. Two hours are enough to inspect the exposition.

    Hydropolis
    Wroclaw University

    Wroclaw University

    The educational institution was founded in 1702. At its origins stood the Catholic Jesuit Order. At first, the curriculum consisted only of subjects in theology and philosophy. To date, more than 30 thousand students study at the university at 12 faculties. The university library houses valuable manuscripts and old books published in the Middle Ages.

    Wroclaw-The Main

    Wroclaw Railway Station, where passenger and freight trains arrive. The station was built in the XIX century, at the beginning of the XX century it was expanded due to the increased flow of passengers. The major reconstruction of the building was carried out in 2011-2012. The structure is a typical example of European architecture. There are quite a lot of buildings in a similar style in the cities of Eastern Europe.

    Wroclaw-The Main
    Sky Tower

    Sky Tower

    The tallest building in Wroclaw and the third tallest in Poland. The construction of the skyscraper lasted 5 years and was completed in 2012. To date, the size of the tower reaches 212 meters along with the spire, although the initial plans were more ambitious — the architects thought to build a tower of 258 meters. The Sky Tower houses residential apartments, shops, offices and office premises.

    Grunwald Bridge

    The suspension bridge over the Oder River is 112 meters long and 18 meters wide. The structure is made of steel, brick and granite. The bridge was built in 1910 by architect R. Pludeman. The opening took place in the presence of William II himself. The pontoon connects the center of Wroclaw with the northeastern districts of the city. Initially it was called the Imperial Bridge, later – the Freedom Bridge.

    Grunwald Bridge
    Tumsky Bridge

    Tumsky Bridge

    Another bridge over the Oder River. It was built in 1889 to replace the old wooden structure. Previously, automobile traffic was open on the bridge, today only pedestrians are allowed to pass. The first major repairs were carried out only in 1947. In 1976, the pontoon was recognized as a historical monument. Tourists and local youth like to gather on the Tumsky Bridge.

    Wroclaw Zoo

    The zoo was founded in 1865. Today it occupies an area of 30 hectares. More than 850 species of animals (more than 7 thousand individuals) live here. The menagerie appeared in Wroclaw thanks to the initiative of Mayor Yu . Elvanger. In 1862, this mayor organized a fundraiser. In 2012, an oceanarium appeared in the zoo, where more than 100 species (2,600 individuals) of marine and river inhabitants settled.

    Wroclaw Zoo
    Japanese Garden

    Japanese Garden

    The Japanese garden was laid out in 1913 for the opening of the next World Exhibition, which this time was held in the Schytnitsky Park of Wroclaw. A Japanese gardener and a Polish enthusiast worked on landscape design. After the end of the exhibition, many structures were dismantled, but the park itself was preserved. After the revival in 1996, the garden turned into a real pearl of Wroclaw.

    Botanical Garden of the University of Wroclaw

    The park was founded in 1811. In terms of age, it is second only to the Botanical Garden of the Jagiellonian University. At first it was a small vegetable garden with medicinal plants used for research purposes, then it grew to a full-fledged garden. There are several dozen trees that are considered natural monuments: plane trees, beeches, yews, oaks and ginkgo.

    Botanical Garden of the University of Wroclaw