Things To Do in Wroclaw
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Wroclaw Attractions
Wrocaw's main attractions can be seen in a few hours of leisurely strolling. The natural place to start is the enormous central square, the Rynek, dominated (and that really is the right word, in this case) by the Town Hall, the Ratusz, in the middle. The Rynek is lined with some of the most cheerful baroque and Renaissance facades to grace a Polish town square. On the northwest corner of the square is the foreboding Gothic red-brick St. Elizabeth Church (Kosció Sw. Elzbiety), Wrocaw's most impressive building, and still pockmarked here and there by bullet holes from the siege of Breslau at the end of World War II. You can climb the tower, but keep in mind that it's over 90m (295 ft.) high and is pretty strenuous. To the east of the Rynek is another evocative and beautiful church, the Church of Mary Magdalene (Kosció Sw. Marii Magdaleny). Just next to the Rynek, past the Tourist Information Office, is the smaller Plac Solny, the former salt market that's now given over to an enormous flower market. The side streets that lead off the square in all directions merit at least a couple hours of ambling. North of the Rynek, and along the Odra River, is the university district, where you'll find some of the city's best nightspots. To the northwest of the Rynek, around Kiebasnicza, is Wrocaw's arty district -- formed amid some weathered but pretty blocks of buildings that survived the onslaught of World War II.
From the university district, follow the Odra River to the right over a series of small, picturesque islands to the peaceful, restorative Ostrów Tumski, home to the city's main cathedral and the spiritual heart of Wrocaw. It's perfect for a picnic and a few hours of contemplative strolling.
- Museum
National Museum
A vast collection of Polish art through the ages, one that combines the holdings of both the cities of Wrocaw and Lwów, is the lure here. The museum is very strong on religious painting and art from the middle ages, as well as sculpture from both eastern and western Poland. That… - Religious Site
Ostrów Tumski
The name is slightly misleading since it's not an island at all, but it does lie on the opposite side of the Odra River from the Rynek. This is the spiritual heart of the city and where Wrocaw was founded around 1,000 years ago. Today, it's home to several churches, including the… - Landmark
Panorama of the Battle of Raclawice
This enormous 140m-long (459-ft.) "panorama" painting dates from the late 19th century and depicts the battle of Racawice, when Polish forces led by national hero Tadeusz Kosciuszko defeated the Russian army on April 4, 1794. The battle came at a time when Poland faced threats from… - Landmark
Town Hall
One of Poland's largest and most awe-inspiring town halls, it was originally built in the late 13th century but has been added to and renovated time and again over the centuries. Surprisingly, it survived World War II and now lends an immense amount of character to the town square.…
Wroclaw Shopping
The Rynek and the streets that radiate from it are packed with little curio shops, antique dealers, and art galleries. For a pleasant ramble, try the little street Stare Jatki, which runs off of Kiebasnicza, just a couple of minutes' walk down from the Rynek. This strip used to house the city's butcher stalls, but today, it's home to numerous art galleries, studios, and little cafes where the shop clerks idle away the quiet hours.
Wroclaw Nightlife
Wrocaw is renowned for its theater, which has been long regarded as some of the most daring and experimental in the country. For non-Polish speakers, though, this is likely to be of little interest. The Tourist Information Office at the Rynek is a good source of information on more accessible performances of classical music and opera. The Wrocaw Philharmonic (Pisudskiego 19; tel. 71/342-24-59 box office; www.filharmonia.wroclaw.pl) is a good bet for an excellent concert during the cultural season from September to May. The Wrocaw Opera (Swidnicka 35; tel. 71/344-57-79 box office; www.opera.wroclaw.pl) is one of the country's leading companies.
Cafes, Pubs & Clubs
For culture of the lower-brow sort, Wrocaw is a great drinking and partying town. Its festive spirit, not surprisingly, is bolstered by the presence of thousands of college students. The university area has more than its fair share of beer gardens, cafes, and cocktail bars. For a good pub crawl, try Ruska and Kuznicza streets that lead off from the Rynek. The Plac Solny is also lined with drinking spots, and the Rynek itself is a major draw. What appear to be normal restaurants and cafes during the day transform into everything from rowdy beer halls to ultra-chill dance clubs after sunset.
