City of Wroclaw, Poland. Sights and reviews of tourists

Not so many European cities can boast of a large number of all channels and bridges. Try to guess where this photo is made. Venice? Amsterdam? Bruges? Hamburg? No, this is Poland, the Lower Silesian Voivodship, Wroclaw. In this ancient city there is something to see the tourist. And Wroclaw is not only famous for its bridges. There, in large numbers, dwarves live. The search for figurines of these little men first does not inspire adults, but gradually, as the reviews say, captures. Many tourists regret that they did not manage to collect their full photo collection. Therefore, ask for a map of gnomes (mapa krasnoludkow) in press kiosks. And what else is Wroclaw famous for? This city has a very ancient and turbulent history. He managed to visit Bohemia, Hungary, Austria, Germany. And the culture of each people has left its mark on the cobbled streets of the city. What to see in Wroclaw, how to get there, where to stay and what to try - read about all this in our article.

How to get there

From Russia, in view of long distances, the air route is preferable. Wroclaw Airport (Poland) accepts regular flights from various countries. You can fly to the city on the Oder River and from Warsaw. The ticket costs an average of 50 euros, the journey time is an hour. From the airport to the city center there are city buses: in the daytime itinerary No. 406, and at night - No. 249. You can get to Wroclaw by rail with a transfer in Warsaw or Krakow. The bus connection between the cities of Poland is well developed, but the road is not close. Prepare to spend on the road for about seven hours. Given the fact that Wroclaw is located near the border with Germany, you can consider the option of a road map from this country. Sometimes it can be cheaper. Low-cost to Berlin and the railway ticket "All Germany" will help you save on the road to Poland. In Wroclaw itself, a network of urban transport is developed. Some trams are converted for excursion. They can make an independent sightseeing tour. The city can be viewed from the seat of a bicycle (rent - two euros per hour) or from the side of the steamer (3 Є) and the gondola (5 Є).

Where to stay

The hotel base of the city is quite in line with the standards of the European Union, which includes Poland. Wroclaw, hotels that are designed for any purse, will not create problems for you overnight. The only thing to consider, if you want to visit the city in the summer, so this is a massive influx of tourists. Therefore, it is worth to book the hotel you are interested in beforehand. The most budget option for accommodation is hostels. Reviews recommend Boogie Hostel. It is located in the center of Wroclaw, and a separate room with breakfast costs about 15 euros. The price level of middle-class hotels varies from 35 to 65 Є per night for the whole room. If you have your own transport, Rezydencja Parkowa is right for you. This hotel is located by the park, ten minutes from the center. And if you expect to see Wroclaw on your own, then the reviews advise you to settle in Campanile, not far from St. Elizabeth's Cathedral (Elzbety). The one who appreciates comfort first of all chooses Art Hotel (124 euros per night). Three-star "European" reviews were named the best hotel by the ratio of quality and price. In addition to hotels, Wroclaw provides an opportunity to stay overnight and in the private sector.

Slavic city

It is necessary to make a brief digression into the depths of the centuries before going to inspect Wroclaw (Poland). The sights of this city will largely remain misunderstood if we do not know the historical context in which they were created. Silesia is a very ancient land, which is mentioned by Tacitus (98). And Ptolemy mentions in his book Germania Magna (150) a tribe of silings, settled on the shores of the Oder. Probably, from them the edge also received the name "Silesia". About nine-hundredth, Slavic tribes came here, who founded a settlement on the island near the confluence of three tributaries of the Odra River. In 990, Silesia was captured by the Polish prince Mieszko I. His son Boleslaw the Brave rebuilt the settlement into a real city. On the island of Cathedral rose the Kremlin, and around the castle lived about a thousand residents. In 1109, Wroclaw broke the teeth of the German Emperor Heinrich V. His troops were defeated by Boleslav Krivousty on the site, which now bears the name of "All Fields." Reviews are advised to visit the Tumsky and Soborne Islands - there are many memorials of medieval Wroclaw.

German city

What the brute force did not do was the advantage of civilizational development. In the 12th century Wroclaw (Poland) was the capital of the principality of Silesia. At that time, the first German settlers settled on the south bank, where the university building is now located. They built their houses and fortifications so well and wisely that gradually the center of business life began to "crawl" to the new quarter. And although it was destroyed in 1241 by the hordes of Mongols, but became the core from which the city of Prassel developed - in the local Silesian dialect. German influence was so great that soon the city began to refer to the German manner - Preßlau, and then Breslau. But in Latin it continued to be called Vratislaviya - in honor of the Bohemian duke, who granted Wroclaw in 1261 Magdeburg law. Reviews recommend to visit the core of the German city. This is Plyaz Rynek with the old town hall and the Salt Square, where now they are selling flowers.

City after World War II

Breslau stubbornly resisted the advance of Soviet troops. In the battles for the city eighty thousand people fell! Losses were both among the unit of Hitler Youth and Volkssturm, and among civilians. At the decision of the Yalta Conference, Pomerania and Silesia were alienated from the defeated Germany and transferred to Poland. However, Stalin was not sure of his loyalty to the ideals of socialism. Therefore, in the agreement between Poland and the USSR of April 21, 1945, it was specially stipulated the deployment in these lands of the operational-strategic territorial formation of the Soviet Armed Forces. It received the name of the Northern Group of Forces (GGV). Poland, Wroclaw in particular, created all the conditions for the Russians to feel at home here. General schools for children of members of the Communist Party and the KGB were opened. The headquarters of the SSU was liquidated only in August 1990.

Wroclaw (Poland): sightseeing of the city

Beginning acquaintance with the capital of Silesia is from the Market Square. It is the architectural axis of the medieval Breslau. One of the largest European squares is surrounded by nice, neat, typically German houses. From the south edge is the Town Hall - a building of the fourteenth century with a stunning Gothic decoration. Inside there is a museum of the city. The reviews claim that a beer mug in the Spiz pub, which is on Market Square, is the number one item in the Wroclaw list Must try. Further along the Tumsky bridge we move to the islands. Here is located the ancient, Slavic Wroclaw (Poland). The sights of this place are quite numerous. The main is the cathedral of the XIII century. Reviews are advised to return to the Tumsky Bridge in the evening - it is beautifully illuminated by oil lamps. Connoisseurs of modern architecture can admire the Hall of the Century (early 20th century) and a multimedia fountain made of glass. The sights include the "Needle" - a monumental high-rise structure made of metal, made in the style of avant-garde.

Temples of the city

The city of Wroclaw in Poland is not the capital of Catholic spirituality like Krakow, but there are also many beautiful and ancient churches here. In addition to the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist (on the island) is worth visiting the church of St. Elizabeth and the Church of Mary Magdalene. Both churches are located near the Market Square. Their towers are hollow, and you can climb on them to admire the panorama of the city. Comments advise to overcome the stairs on the spire of St. Mary Magdalene and visit the bridge of the Witches, connecting the two towers of the temple. Of the other sacral buildings, the reviews recommend visiting the church of the Virgin, the Cross of the Cross, St. Martin, the chapel of Iji, the only synagogue surviving the Holocaust "Under the White Stork".

Parks

Wroclaw (Poland) is a very green city. The largest and oldest is the Shtininsky Park, stretching for several kilometers. There is also a Japanese garden, which tourists are highly recommended to visit. On the southern outskirts of the city there is the Noonday, and on the bank of the Olava River is the Eastern Park. There is also the Botanical Garden in Wroclaw - one of the oldest and richest in terms of collection.

Zoo

It is worth to say about him especially. The Germans are big fans of menageries. The oldest zoo is in Munich. His zoo Wroclaw (Poland) got back in 1865, when there was Breslau. Many pavilions of the century before last survived, despite the bombing of the Second World War. In fact, this is a beautiful landscape park, where conditions are created that are as close as possible to the ecosystems of animals. Reviews are often mentioned in Africa, where you can see a variety of aquatic life - from penguins and fur seals to hippos and freshwater fish of Lake Tanganyika.

Raclawice Panorama

If you are interested in the history of Poland, you should see this monumental canvas. It was created in the beginning of the XX century by Lviv artists Wojciech Kossak and Jan Styk. Masters have applied several techniques, making the image become convex, as if three-dimensional. Panorama seems to take the viewer to another reality - to the place of the battle of the rebel army under the command of Tadeusz Kosciuszko with the regular Russian army on April 4, 1794. The battle took place near the village of Raclawitsa (near Krakow). Until 1939 Panorama could be seen in Lviv. But when the Soviet Union introduced troops to Western Ukraine, it was evacuated together with the library Ossolineum in Wroclaw. After the war, Poland wanted to open a panorama, although the Soviet authorities for a long time tried to conserve it. But still in the mid-1980s it was open to visitors and quickly became one of the city's main attractions.

Royal Palace

We do not forget that Wroclaw (Poland) was once the capital of an independent principality. And consequently, here was the throne of the king. But the royal palace, which has survived to this day, belonged to the Prussian electors. It was built in 1717 in the then fashionable Venetian style. Prussian King Frederick the Great, the owner of Sanssouci near Berlin, bought it in 1750 and rebuilt to his residence. The palace was rebuilt several times. Baroque elements were added to its exterior appearance, and rococo style decorations to the interior. At the end of the eighteenth century, in the age of classicism, wings and pavilions were added. In 2008 the building of the palace was reconstructed and is now open as a museum. Reviews recommend to go on a self-guided tour. View Bayersdorf, the throne room and the hall of the festivities, the personal chambers of the king, look into the city museum, where you can see the centuries-old history of Wroclaw. And then - to drink coffee in an amazing baroque garden.

What to try

We have already mentioned the iconic beer restaurant "Spitz". It is located on Rynok Square. The drink that they serve is made in a private brewery. Experts say that he is in no way inferior to the Belgian product. The city of Wroclaw (Poland) is famous for its special, Silesian cuisine. Point number 2 in the list "Mastra" is the cellar of Świdnicka. "If you have not dined there," say the locals, "consider that you were not in Wroclaw." Despite the cult nature of the institution, the prices there are sane: for twenty euros you can eat from the belly. Point number 3 is the restaurant jaDka. Serves only national and regional dishes. And lovers of exoticism also will not remain hungry. There are Latin American cafe "Under the parrots" and "Caz de la Muzica", and for vegetarians - the cult "Mlecharnya."

What to bring

Wroclaw (Poland) reviews are called "The City of the Gnomes". At least one must be bought in a souvenir shop. And still need to make a collection of photos of these little men. To do this, you need to buy a special card and the "Dwarven search engine kit." It includes slippers, in which it is more convenient to scour the city, a magnifying glass and a foot cream, which you, most likely, will get tired by the evening, despite the comfortable shoes. If you just and quickly want to buy a variety of goods, go to the large stores. Reviews are advised to visit such shopping centers as "Dominican Gallery", "Grunwald Palace" and "Centrum Corona".