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Wrocław won the European Best Destination title in 2018. [ 114 ] Wrocław is now a unique European city of mixed heritage, with architecture influenced by Polish, Bohemian, Austrian, and Prussian traditions, such as Silesian Gothic and its Baroque style of court builders of Habsburg Austria (Fischer von Erlach).
VisitWroclaw.eu is the official tourist website of Wrocław. Check out interesting routes, places, events, monuments, cafes, restaurants offered by Wrocław, the meeting place. Fall in love with our city!
Wroclaw is Poland’s fourth-largest city and the capital of the Viovodship of Lower Silesia. Originally (in medieval times) built across several islands, the city still has many lovely bridges and beautiful architecture.
- 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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- Visit the beautiful historic Old Town of Wroclaw. Let us start with one of the most obvious things to do in Wroclaw! After that, we work our way further down through some main sights and most important, we will also introduce you to some things to see in Wroclaw which are actually not too well known!
- Explore the Market Square in Wroclaw. The Market Square in Wroclaw is actually one of the largest in Europe! According to most sources with its dimensions of 205 x 175 meters, only the squares in Krakow and Olecko are larger.
- Head over to the Salt Market Square. Just next to the main Market Square you run into a smaller, but definitely not less charming little square – the Salt Market Square in Wroclaw!
- Hunt the countless dwarfs in Wroclaw. One of the most popular things to see in Wroclaw for kids, but likewise for adults, are the dwarfs in Wroclaw. They are the symbol of Wroclaw and there is a growing population of them, especially in the old town.
Jan 26, 2020 · The university city of Wrocław is the capital of Lower Silesia and often ranks among the most liveable places in Europe. Wrocław ‘s past is unbelievably complex, and over the last 1,000 years it has come under the control of eight different kingdoms and empires.
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Discover Wrocław, a charming city on the Odra River with 12 islands, 130 bridges and a rich cultural heritage. Explore its Gothic cathedral, baroque university, giant painting of Racławice and bronze dwarves.
