Sights and landmarks in Wrocław

Sights and landmarks in Wrocław

1. See

   Cathedral Island

   Ostrów Tumski

   A group of islands on the Oder River with beautiful cathedrals and a few hundred year old buildings, for those who would have romantic evening, walking through mystery brick stoned streets it is a must. It is complete with hand-lit oil lamps lit nightly.

2. See

   Cathedral of St. John the Baptist

   Archikatedra św. Jana Chrzciciela

   Dating from the 13th century, featuring stunning architecture and the largest church organ in Poland. Has elevator to the top, so this is the one to go to if you can't climb. Good river views from the tower.

   Mon-Sat 10:00-17:00, Sun 14:00-16:00·Admission 15 zł, tower admission 25 zł

3. See

   Centennial Hall

   Hala Stulecia

   A historic building, constructed according to the plans of architect Max Berg from 1911 to 1913, when the city was part of the German Empire. As an early landmark of reinforced concrete architecture, it was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2006.

4. See

   Eastern Park

   pl: Park Wschodni

   On the bank of Oława river is a masterpiece of design, but left forgotten for decades. After few years of restoration it's now a true gem especially worth visiting in April when wetland flowers are blooming or autumn when vegetation turns into picturesque blend of reds, yellows and gold. As it borders semi-wild forests and has plenty of water, you may even watch swans taking care of their nests just few meters from the walking path.

5. See

   Ethnographic Museum

   Muzeum Etnograficzne

   Located in the former summer Palace of Wrocław Bishops. Collection concentrates on folk art.

   Tue Wed Fri-Sun 10:00-16:00, Thu 09:00-16:00, Mon closed·Adults 5 zł, concessions 3 zł. Sat free

6. See

   Historical Museum

   Muzeum Historyczne

   Located in the Royal Palace of Hohenzollern dynasty of Prussia. Museum collection is named '1000 years of Wrocław' which hint at type of exhibits you can find here.

   Wed-Sat 11:00-17:00, Sun 10:00-18:00, Mon-Tue closed

7. See

   Japanese Garden

   Ogród Japoński

   A remainder from the 'World Expo' of 1913 held in Wrocław, this is a large landscaped garden restored post-flooding with the assistance of the Japanese government. A part of Park Szczytnicki.

   Closed · opens 9 am tomorrow·21zł regular, 14zł reduced

8. See

   Market Square

   Rynek

   It is the architectural centre-point of Wroclaw, and its most obvious attraction. It is one of the biggest town squares in Europe, and is lined on all sides with photogenic and interesting buildings. Centre of tourist life, place where tourists drink beer.

9. See

   Monument to the Anonymous Pedestrians

   Pomnik Anonimowego Przechodnia

   An impressive artwork by Jerzy Kalina, this sculpture which has two parts, each to one side of Świdnicka, shows people going underground or coming from underground (depending on the side of the street you are at). The artwork builds on Kalina's 1977 installation "Transition" and was inaugurated in 2005. It likely makes reference to the martial law period in Poland and symbolizes people coming back to the public after being underground. The sculpture led to discussions and has been recognized internationally.

10. See

    Museum of Architecture

    Muzeum Architektury

    Museum is located in a 15th-century post-Bernardine Gothic buildings - St Bernardine of Sienna Church and a monastic quadrangle with a garden.

    Mon closed·Tickets 10 zł, reduced 7 zł, Wednesday free

11. See

    Museum of Cemetery Art

    Muzeum Sztuki Cmentarnej

    The Old Jewish Cemetery (Stary Cmentarz Żydowski). In Jun-Aug on Sundays at 10:00 guide is available already covered in ticket price.

    Apr-Oct 09:00-18:00, Nov-Mar 09:00-16:00, open daily

12. See

    Museum of Contemporary Art

    The Four Domes Pavilion (Pawilon Czterech Kopuł) which is part of the historic Exhibition Grounds houses the collection of Polish contemporary art of the National Museum, which comprises works from 1945 until present.

13. See

    Museum of Natural History

    Muzeum Przyrodnicze

    The museum is part of Wrocław University and has its origin in 1814. The collections display many specimens of extinct and rare species including the skeleton of a Blue Whale, the largest animal that lived on the earth.

    Tue-Fri 09:00-15:00, Sat Sun 10:00-16:00, Mon closed·Adults 10 zł, concessions 7 zł

14. See

    National Museum in Wrocław

    Muzeum Narodowe we Wrocławiu

    Features a large collection of Polish art. The Gallery of Contemporary Art is in the attic.

    Apr-Sep: Tue-Fri Sun 10:00-17:00, Sat 10:30-18:00; Oct-Mar: Tue-Fri 10:00-16:00, Sat Sun 10:00-17:00; Mon closed·Admission 20zł adults, 15 zł concessions. Free on Saturdays (permanent exhibitions)

15. See

    Old Town Hall

    Stary Ratusz

    It now serves as the Museum of Burgeois Art. Construction of the town hall began in the 13th century. It was one of the few major buildings in Wrocław to survive World War II. The interior features stunning Gothic interiors.

    Tue-Sun 11:00-17:00 (closed Mon)·admission 4 zł

16. See

    Panorama Racławicka

    Perhaps the most-visited tourist site in Wrocław, it consists of a large canvas painting wrapped around a viewing rotunda. It creates a 360-degree view of the Battle of Racławice (1794) between Russian troops and Polish insurrectionists. The battle was a victory for the Poles, however the Russians won the war. Visits are conducted in tour groups roughly every half-hour and foreign-language audio guides are available. The ticket also allows entry to the National Museum, Ethnographic Museum and Museum of Comptemporary Arts.

    Apr-Sep: daily 09:00-17:00; Oct-Mar: Tue-Sun 09:00-16:00, Mon closed·50 zł adults, 23zł students & families (per person)

17. See

    Park Szczytnicki

    Very large, spanning over a few kilometres, it's a common place for walks. Becomes incredibly colorful in autumn and should not be missed if you travel there in late September or October.

18. See

    St. Elizabeth's Church

    Bazylika św. Elżbiety Węgierskiej

    A large and imposing medieval building with a 90m high tower with spectacular views over the old town.

    Mon-Sat 09:00-16:00, Sun 13:00-16:00. Tower: Apr-Oct: daily 10:00-19:00, Nov-Mar: closed·Tower admission (no lift) 15 zł

19. See

    St. Maria Magdalena Church

    Katedra św. Marii Magdaleny

    The big church a block south of the Rynek, you can also climb this tower for 5 zł. Between the two towers, there is a small bridge known as the Pennants' Bridge, where you can walk along and enjoy the cityrama. Views are great, but if you can only do one, St Elizabeth is probably the one to do. However, the bridge makes a good story to tell people at home.

    Tower/bridge: daily 10:00-20:00

20. See

    University of Wrocław Museum

    Muzeum Uniwersytetu Wrocławskiego

    The four halls are: Aula Leopoldina, Oratorium Marianum, Mathematical Tower (Wieża matematyczna) and Exposition (Wystawa). The first two are still used by the university for events (so they can be closed at times). Audio guides are available.

    Mon-Tue Thu-Sun 10:00 - at least 15:30 (longer in summer), Wed closed. Ticket office closes 30 min before·10/11/12 zł for visiting 2, 3 or 4 halls (adults), reduced tickets available

21. See

    Wrocław Contemporary Museum

    Muzeum Współczesne Wrocław, MWW

    Contemporary art, photography, also a club and a cafeteria with nice views.

    Mon 09:00-17:00, Wed-Sun 12:00-20:00, closed Tue and holidays·Admission 20 zł, reduced 10 zł, Th free, "Self-service museum" free

22. See

    Wrocław Fountain

    A multimedia fountain located within the Pergola next to Centennial Hall in Wrocław. The one hectare fountain incorporates about 300 jets to create a screen of water for animation display. There are also 800 lights. When frozen in winter, the fountain is a 4700-square-meter ice skating rink.

    Working only from beginning of May until end of September

23. See

    Wrocław Water Tower

    Wieża ciśnień przy alei Wiśniowej

    A 63-m-high water tower constructed between 1904-1905 with an observation deck at 42 m. Provided water supply until mid-1980. In 1995 it was restored and converted into a restaurant. The tower has not been open to the public since 2017.

24. See

    Zoo Wrocław

    Ogród Zoologiczny

    Oldest zoo in Poland, having been opened in 1865 as the Breslau Zoological Garden while the city was part of Prussia. It is also the largest (in terms of the number of animals) zoo in Poland.

    55 zł adults, 45 zł reduced, 45 zł students

25. See Not mapped

    Wrocław Dwarves

    Wrocławskie Krasnale

    The first dwarf statue was installed in 2001 in Świdnicka Street to commemorate the Polish anti-communist underground movement Orange Alternative, whose symbol was a dwarf. Some years later smaller dwarf statues, each with their own theme, appeared and they can now be found all over the city.

26. See

    Botanical Garden of the University of Wrocław

    Ogród Botaniczny Uniwersytetu Wrocławskiego

    ul. Henryka Sienkiewicza 23

    May-Aug: 08:00-20:00; Sep - mid-Nov, spring-May: 08:00-19:00; mid-Nov - spring: closed. Ticket office closes at 18:00·15 zł adults, 5 zł concession

27. See

    Museum of Archeology

    Muzeum Archeologiczne

    Collection of mostly prehistoric artifacts.

    Wed-Sat 11:00-17:00, Sun 10:00-18:00; Mon,Tue closed

28. See

    Salt Square

    Plac Solny

    Formerly a salt market, now a flower market.

29. See

    Synagogue "Under the White Stork"

    19th-century synagogue.

30. See

    The Museum of Bourgeois Art

    Muzeum Sztuki Mieszczańskej

    Stary Ratusz, Rynek

    Wed-Sat 10:00-17:00, Sun 10:00-18:00, Mon Tue closed

31. See

    Wroclaw Iglica

    A distinctive object placed close to the Centennial Hall.

32. See Not mapped

    Medallic Art Museum

    Muzeum Sztuki Medalierskiej

    ul. Kazimierza Wielkiego 15

    Wed-Sat 11:00-17:00, Sun 10:00-18:00, Mon-Tue closed

33. See Not mapped

    Military Museum

    Muzeum Militariów

    Military exhibits from 19th and 20th century.

    Wed-Sat 10:00-17:00, Sun 10:00-18:00, Mon-Tue closed

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Wrocław (CC BY-SA 4.0).