Wroclaw, a city along the water

ME.SPOT - With the largest metropolitan system of waterways in Poland and more than 100 bridges, Wroclaw is a city along the water. Wroclaw is the place that you must see when you go to Poland. It’s a city with a thousand years of history: it passed from the hands of Czech kings under the rule of Austria, and then Prussia; finally, after World War II, it became a part of Poland. Today, the heritage of the past intertwines with modernity. The atmosphere in Wroclaw attracts people from all around the country and the world.

by Hanan

The history of Wroclaw, the largest city in Lower Silesia, is firmly connected to the water that gives life: the mighty Oder river. Standing on twelve islands on the Oder river and its four tributaries, the city is often called the Venice of the North.

Oder river and 22 islands

The Oder river, its tributaries and channels make Wroclaw a unique city of 12 islands. The riverbanks and islands are joined by more than 100 bridges and footbridges. One of the oldest ones is the ‘Piaskowy Bridge’, mentioned in 12th-century documents. The most famous one, however, is the ‘Grunwaldzki Bridge’, formerly called the ‘Emperor’s Bridge’.

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ABOVE: Tumski Bridge.

Another one what is quite is famous is the ‘Tumski Bridge’. It is an old road bridge now open to pedestrians only. The bridge is also called ‘Lovers Bridge’, ‘Cathedral Bridge’ or ‘Green Bridge’. It's a place of enamoured tradition for lovers. The bridge is full of love locks which lovers leave to cherish their feelings. An important part of the ceremony is to throw the key into the Oder river.

Dwarfs

Apart from exploring Wroclaw’s bridges, look out also for its smallest citizens. Dwarfs are Wroclaw’s pride: there are already more than 300 dwarf statuettes. They fit so well into the cityscape that people no longer question their origin or number.

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ABOVE: Dwarf.

ABOVE: Dwarf.

ABOVE: Dwarf.

Historical buildings

‘Ostrów Tumski’ - or Cathedral Island - is the oldest part of Wroclaw. Surrounded by the waters of the Oder river, the former stronghold which gave rise to the city compromises beautiful architectural monuments. The most impressive among them are the ‘Gothic Saint John the Baptist’s Cathedral’ and the ‘Holy Cross Church’.

The ‘Market Square’ is the heart of Wroclaw, an entertainment centre full of pubs and restaurants, throbbing with life at any time of day and night. The centre of the square is built up with the ‘Cloth Hall’ and the ‘City Hall’, a unique monument of Gothic and Renaissance architecture, one of a kind in the whole of Europe. It also houses in the basements the oldest restaurant in Europe and one of the oldest in the world: ‘Piwnica Swidnicka’.

A building worthwhile to visit is the ‘University of Wroclaw’. It’s situated in the largest baroque complex of the city. The main building houses the ‘Museum of the University of Wroclaw’, which holds the pearl of the Lower Silesian baroque, the ‘Aula Leopoldina’, and the ‘Oratorium Marianum’, a hall in which concerts have been taking place for 200 years.

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ABOVE: Museum of Pharmacy in the red building.

When you like some colour In your life, go definitely to the ‘Museum of Pharmacy’. The house of the museum is the only Polish Renaissance-Classicist building and the only place in Poland where, since the second half of the 12th century till the fifties of the 20th century, a private pharmacy had been functioning. 

‘Ulica Swidnicka’ is the most renowned promenade and historic shopping street in Wroclaw. It is here that you can see also the neo-classical building of the ‘Wroclaw Opera House’.

Food and drink

And for sure there is so much more to see and visit in Wroclaw. But take for sure also some time to taste some Polish food like ‘Pierogi’. They are doughy dumplings traditionally filled with potato, sweet cheese, meat, mushrooms and cabbage, or fruit, though if you nose around you will find plenty of maverick fillings like broccoli, chocolate or liver. The possibilities are truly limitless, and they are served almost everywhere.

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ABOVE: Pierogi - Polish dumplings.

ABOVE: WRCLW Beer from micro brewery Browar Stu Mostów in Wroclaw.

Wroclaw has a long and illustrious history of brewing beer thanks to its past allegiances and current proximity to both Germany and Czech. While craft beers are all the range, there are still some venues where they are taking it to a higher level by actually brewing their own beer.

Sightseeing

Wroclaw’s monuments can be admired in a variety of ways: while taking an individual walk or a guided tour, or while travelling by a bike or a historic tram. It’s also worthwhile seeing the city view from a boat on the Oder river.

POLAND | ME.SPOT | CITY.EXPLORERS

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POST BY
Thierry Hanan Scheers
With a backpack  and hiking boots Hanan travels around the world. Destination? Somewhere, nowhere and everywhere.
backpacker and storyteller

PHOTO
Thierry Hanan Scheers

24 September 2019