Centennial Hall (Wrocław)
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Coordinates: 51°06′36″N 17°01′57″E. Wrocław ( Polish pronunciation: [ˈvrɔt͡swaf] ⓘ; UK: / ˈvrɒtswɑːf / VROT-swahf, [3] US: / ˈvrɔːtswɑːf, - slɑːf / ⓘ VRAWT-swahf, -slahf. [4] [5] German: Breslau, [ˈbʁɛslaʊ] ⓘ, also known by other names) is a city in southwestern Poland and the largest city in the historical region of Silesia.
- Overview
- History
- The contemporary city
Wrocław, city, capital of Dolnośląskie województwo (province), southwestern Poland. It lies along the Oder River at its confluence with the Oława, Ślęza, Bystrzyca, and Widawa rivers. A large industrial centre situated in Dolny Śląsk (Lower Silesia), Wrocław is the fourth largest city in Poland. Pop. (2011) 630,131; (2017 est.) 638,586.
Archaeological findings indicate settlement on the site as early as the Stone Age, several thousand years ago. Wrocław originated in the 10th century ce at the crossroads of the amber trade route between the Roman Empire and the Baltic Sea and the trade route linking the Black Sea to western Europe; it was administered by the Polish Piast kings. In 1000 King Bolesław I (the Brave) fortified the place and established a bishopric on Ostrów Tumski (“Cathedral Island”). In 1109 a major attack by German forces was repelled at nearby Psie Pole. In 1138 Wrocław became the first capital of all Silesia under the rule of the Piast prince Władysław II (the Exile). Much of the city south of the Oder River was devastated during the Mongol invasion in 1241. At the invitation of Silesian authorities in the 13th century, many Germans migrated to Wrocław. The city received self-governing rights in 1261, when it adopted the Magdeburg Law (Magdeburger Recht), a civic constitution based on German law. Wrocław again flourished as an economic centre. Nearby to the east a “new town” was developed; it was united with the older city in 1327. In 1335 Wrocław passed to Bohemia with the rest of Silesia, and in 1526 it passed to the Habsburgs. In 1741 the city, which had for centuries had a large German population, fell to Prussia under the rule of Frederick II (the Great) and eventually became part of Germany.
The city grew physically with the razing of its fortifications, and by 1910 its inhabitants numbered more than 500,000. During World War II the Nazis refortified the city, holding it until May 1945, when Soviet troops defeated the remaining German forces. In August 1945 Wrocław became part of Poland. The city’s German inhabitants fled westward during 1944–45 or were evacuated in subsequent years, and thenceforth the population was exclusively Polish.
As a direct result of fighting during World War II, 90 percent of the city’s industry and 70 percent of its residential area were heavily damaged or entirely destroyed. Reconstruction of the city began immediately, and by 1950 more than 50,000 new houses had been built, with an additional 50,000 by 1965. The university and many other fine architectural monuments were reconstructed, and modern industrial districts were built to house the growing population. The present-day city prides itself on its numerous parks and restored historical treasures.
Wrocław contains Poland’s largest flour mills, an electronics and data-processing industry, foundries, heavy-machinery plants, textile mills, the Hutmen copper plant, and food-processing facilities. It is a major communications centre, having international rail connections, an international airport, and river transport.
A cultural and scientific centre, Wrocław contains numerous educational institutions (including the University of Wrocław, founded in 1702 and rebuilt in 1945), museums, theatres and music centres, and a botanical garden and zoo. Buildings of historical interest include the cluster of churches at Ostrów Tumski, the Gothic town hall, and the Aula Leopoldina, a Baroque assembly hall at the university. Centennial Hall (1911–13), a noted example of reinforced-concrete architecture, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2006. The city hosts the Jazz on the Oder Festival and the “Wratislavia Cantans,” an oratorio and cantata festival that ranks as one of the most important music events in Poland. It was the home of the Polish Laboratory Theatre, which was internationally famous for its innovative approaches to actor training and dramatic production in the 1960s and ’70s.
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Description: city in the Lower Silesian Voivodeship, southwestern Poland, and historical capital of Silesia. Categories: city with powiat rights, Hanseatic city, big city and locality. Location: Lower Silesian Voivodeship, Poland, Central Europe, Europe. View on OpenStreetMap. Latitude.
Oct 16, 2023 · Large detailed map of Wrocław. 3834x4784px / 5.71 Mb Go to Map. Wrocław sightseeing map. 2022x2736px / 1.71 Mb Go to Map. Wrocław old town map. 4754x3106px / 3.17 Mb Go to Map. Wrocław tourist map. 1181x1362px / 425 Kb Go to Map. Wrocław area road map.
- Fall in love with the beautiful old town. Wroclaw has one of the most beautiful market squares in Poland, and I even dare to say in Europe. The medieval Market Square is now a pedestrian zone and the heart of the city.
- Find as many dwarves as possible. When doing Wroclaw sightseeing you will quickly stumble across small dwarves, many of them. Currently, there are around 400 of them and the number is constantly growing!
- Enjoy the local cafe scene. The cafe scene in Poland is growing, new places are popping up and Wroclaw is no exception here. Whenever Wroclaw sightseeing tires you or you just want to relax with the cup of coffee there are plenty of places you can stop at.
- See different architecture styles. Due to the long and rich history, Wroclaw is a real mix of architecture styles. They all work together really well, creating an interesting blend in the cityscape.
May 1, 2024 · • updated May 1, 2024. What’s on this map. We’ve made the ultimate tourist map of Wroclaw, Poland for travelers! Check out Wroclaw’s top things to do, attractions, restaurants, and major transportation hubs all in one interactive map. Visiting Wroclaw? See our Wroclaw Trip Planner. How to use the map.
Wroclaw is located in: Poland Lower Silesia Wroclaw Wroclaw. Find detailed maps for Poland Lower Silesia Wroclaw Wroclaw on ViaMichelin, along with road traffic , the option to book accommodation and view information on MICHELIN restaurants for - Wroclaw.
