What to see in Wroclaw (Breslau) – 10 plans in the Polish city with the most surprises
Wroclaw is one of the most beautiful cities in Poland . Although it is much less touristy than Krakow , here we are going to show you that there is a lot to see in Wroclaw . Located in the Silesia Region and known as the Polish Venice for its 12 islands and 120 bridges , Wroclaw has a fascinating history , something that is reflected in the more than 50 names that the city had: Wroclaw, Breslau, Vratislav and we could go on.
Founded by a Czech duke , it was part of the Polish kingdoms and the Habsburg Empire for centuries . From 1871 until the end of World War II, it was part of the German sphere of influence, first being part of Prussia and later of the Weimar Republic and the Third Reich . It has only been a Polish city since the end of the war.
Austrian , Czech and Prussian influences , the proximity of Czech Bohemia and German Saxony have all left their mark on the streets and buildings of the city. The old town (rebuilt after being completely destroyed in World War II) and its central square with its picturesque coloured houses , the numerous churches and the historic university of the city are just a small part of the magical places to visit in Wroclaw .
What to see in Wroclaw – Day 1. The essentials
On your first day in Wroclaw (or if you only have that day), we recommend taking a morning stroll around the Market Square and its surroundings . In the afternoon, you could visit the beautiful Aula Leopoldina of the University, the Cathedral Island and two other fascinating places in Wroclaw: the Racławice Panorama and the Centenary Centre (UNESCO World Heritage Site). Here we tell you our detailed itinerary of the must-see places in Wroclaw .
1. Rynek (Market Square)
I still remember the first time I visited the Rynek during a business trip. I immediately fell in love with its beautiful, colourful houses, which I loved so much in Krakow, too. The history of this square dates back to the 13th century , when the medieval market began here , and today it is the nerve centre of the Old Town, where eleven streets meet . Although the square was completely destroyed during World War II , it has been rebuilt in all its splendour . This square is the ideal place to start your tour, as it and its surroundings are home to some of the most striking historical buildings in the city.
2. Town Hall
One of the most striking buildings on the Market Square is the Old Town Hall (Stary Ratusz). It is a masterpiece of civil Gothic architecture , although it has Renaissance elements . Inside you will find the Wroclaw City Museum , dedicated to the history of the city, where you will visit some truly beautiful rooms . However, the most striking corner of the Town Hall is in the basement. This is the Piwnica Świdnicka brewery , which is one of the oldest in Europe , established in 1273.
3. Hansel and Gretel House
On one of the corners there are two pretty houses connected by a baroque arch , which used to be the entrance to the cemetery of the Church of St. Elizabeth. The two houses surrounded by large buildings look as if they are holding hands, hence the name “Jas i Malgosia” House , which in Polish means “House of John and Margaret.” However, among visitors the house is known as the House of Hansen and Gretel , a reference to the Grimm brothers’ fairy tale.
4. Basilica of St. Elizabeth of Hungary
In the immediate vicinity of Hansel and Gretel House is the Basilica of St. Elisabeth . For Gábor, as a Hungarian, it was a special pleasure to visit this church dedicated to one of his country’s saints. Elisabeth was born into the Hungarian royal family , was widowed at a young age and subsequently dedicated her life and wealth to the poor by building hospitals and caring for the needy, something that resulted in her canonisation in 1235 , just four years after her death.
St. Elizabeth’s Church was built in the 15th century in the Gothic style , but was destroyed by storms and fires and the current Renaissance tower is lower than the original. Even so, the platform of the tower , accessible by climbing a spiral staircase of 302 steps , is one of the great viewing points to see in Wroclaw , as it offers fabulous views of the Market Square.
5. Take a free tour in Wroclaw
If you want to get to know the city on a fun guided tour, we recommend taking this free tour of Wroclaw’s must-sees . In addition to seeing the main monuments and learning about the city’s history, many surprises await you.
6. Pan Tadeusz Museum
We continue along the Rynek, where the Pan Tadeusz Museum is located opposite the Town Hall , one of the most important museums in the city. Pan Tadeusz (1834), the work of poet Adam Mickiewicz, is Poland’s national epic poem and the original manuscript is on display in this museum . In addition to seeing the manuscript, in the museum you can go through the most important episodes in the history of Poland and also learn about important characteristics of Polish identity. The exhibition is interactive and educational, a must for history lovers.
7. Jatki Street
Near the Market Square, on Jatki Street , you will find one of the most peculiar corners of Wroclaw . This was the site of the old meat market in the Middle Ages and you can still see some of the old wooden houses from the 13th century converted into shops and galleries. However, the main attraction of the street is a set of animal sculptures (a rooster, a rabbit, a pig, a goat and a goose) that would be a kind of monument to the sacrificed animals . Visiting this street is one of the fun things to do in Wroclaw with children .
8. Solny Square
Another of Wroclaw’s picturesque squares is Solny Square , also known as Salt Square , since in the Middle Ages this was where salt from the famous Wieliczka Salt Mine was sold . In this square you will also see pretty colorful houses , a World War II bunker that houses exhibitions about the war, and a fountain with a dragon . In this square (as in the Market Square, too) you can see several sculptures of gnomes , so it’s time to talk about them.
9. Gnomes
One of the most curious things to see in Wroclaw are the more than four hundred small statues that you will find everywhere. The origins of the Wroclaw gnomes date back to the time of communism . During this time a movement was born at the University and the figurines soon became the symbol of the fight against the authoritarian regime .
These little bronze figures will be your companions wherever you walk around the city, and if you’re like us, you’ll want to see them all. At the Tourist Office you can get a map of the official statues (there are “illegal” gnomes too that people have put there without permission) and there’s even a mobile app to locate them.
10. Church of St. Mary Magdalene and the Penitents Bridge
The last monument we recommend you visit in the vicinity of the Market Square is the Church of St. Mary Magdalene . There were several other churches here before (the first one in the 15th century) that were destroyed in wars and fires. The current construction was built after the Second World War and its most striking part is the Penitents’ Bridge (Mostek Pokutnic) that connects the two towers of the church. You will have to climb 243 steps to reach this bridge, which is another great viewpoint of the historic center of Wroclaw.
