Wrocław - the meeting place

Wroclaw, the capital of the Lower Silesia region, is one of oldest and most beautiful cities in Poland. The city, placed on both sides of the Odra river, criss-crossed with four other rivers and many canals, is a unique city of twelve islands and over one hundred bridges. The population of Wroclaw is about 640 000, making it the fourth largest city in Poland. Wroclaw is located in south-west part of Poland, with good communication links with nearby major cities like Berlin, Dresden, or Prague. The Airport, situated 10 km from the city center, enables travelling to major international European airports in Belgium, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, Spain and Sweden. The first historical notes about Wroclaw comes from year 1000 when the bishopric was founded here. During the history the city has been part of Poland, Bohemia (Czech), Austria, Prussia, Germany, and Poland again. Fortunately, many monuments weathered numerous storms of history, and recently were restored to their past state, shapping the city as it is today.

The most significant places of interest in Wroclaw are situated around the Old Town, to which also belongs Wroclaw's marketplace - one of the largest old city market squares in Europe. It is 205 meters long and 175 meters wide. In the center of the marketplace the Town Hall is located, which is recognized as one of the most beautiful gothic buildings in Europe. Its tower is crowned with the oldest clock and bell in Poland, dated 1368. In the basement of Town Hall the oldest restaurant in Europe (founded in XIV century) called Piwnica Świdnicka (Swidnicka Basement) is located.

Very important sacral monuments in Wroclaw are placed on Ostrów Tumski. Ostrów Tumski is a place, from which the history of Wroclaw begins. Here, in IX century original settlement of Wroclaw was founded. At the beginning Ostrów Tumski was an island, but in the year 1824 one of canals of Odra river was filled and Ostrów became part of solid land. On Ostrów Tumski stands most important sacral building in Wroclaw - Cathedral of St John the Baptist. There are also 3 churches and many other places of interest on Ostrów Tumski.


Panorama Raclawicka is one of the places which can't be omitted during a visit in Wroclaw. Panorama Raclawicka is a rotunda with a 120x15 meters painting inside. The painting was created by Jan Styka and Wojciech Kossak in years 1893-1894. It presents the Battle of Raclawice - one of the Kościuszko Uprising episodes. It is viewed 'in the round'. The painting was created using a special type of perspective which combined with lighting and artificial terrain provide the feeling of reality.

More inforamtion about Wrocław