Top attractions in Wroclaw - what sights you must visit and see

One of the most interesting and important cities in this part of Europe. Over the centuries its statehood has changed, making it subject to the influence of different cultures and diverse historical and political processes. As a result of this turbulence, the attractions and monuments of Wroclaw that await you are so magnificent and diverse that they are often unique not only in the country, but also in the whole of Central Europe. Immerse yourself in the various nooks and crannies and savor the unique atmosphere of openness and dialogue - after all, you are in a "meeting city."

Wroclaw's market square is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful in Poland, and in size is second only to Krakow's. In summer it teems with life almost around the clock in the gardens of dozens of restaurants, and in winter it attracts tourists from all over Poland with its extraordinary Christmas Fair. All the frontages of this elegant salon of the city are filled with stately and beautifully decorated townhouses, and the center is occupied by the magnificent City Hall, which is among the finest monuments of Wroclaw and the most valuable Gothic buildings of its kind in Europe. Its construction took place in stages - its roots date back to the 13th century, and it received its present form in 1470-1505.

You will certainly notice that the townhouses in the market are majestic, elegant and fill you with pride, but in the northwest corner stand two that, above all, inspire tenderness and smiles. They are Hansel and Gretel, small townhouses built in the 15th century (later slightly rebuilt). In the past, more of them stood here, and they were inhabited by the so-called altar keepers, i.e. guardians of the altar in St. Elizabeth's Church. The buildings, which have survived to this day, are connected by an arcade, under which one entered the cemetery, which existed until the 18th century.

Above the square rises the soaring mass of the Gothic St. Elizabeth Church. The first church stood on this spot as early as the 13th century, while today's church was built in the 14th and 15th centuries, It served the Wroclaw patriciate as a parish church and showed its ambitions, competing in size with the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist on Ostrow Tumski.

Take a trip to Salt Square, which is the smaller, neighboring "brother" of Wroclaw's Market Square. It owes its name primarily to the fact that salt from Wieliczka was traded here in the Middle Ages. Later, other products appeared, and today the merchants' stalls are replaced by flower stands. Look out for the striking edifice of the Old Stock Exchange, which resembles an Italian palace, and the modernist, very avant-garde building from 1925-28 that today houses the editorial office of the Wroclaw branch of Gazeta Wyborcza. At the time of its construction, it embodied architects' dreams of modern design, and for lovers of Wroclaw's architectural highlights, it is a must-see.

Wroclaw is first and foremost the Oder River. Its waters beautifully reflect the main building of Wroclaw University, which impresses with the size of its facade. The northern façade, one of the longest baroque façades in Europe, has as many as 38 axes and 170 meters in length! Next door stands the Ossolineum, which is a direct continuation of the institution founded in Lviv in 1817 as a library, publishing house and archive, and later an art museum.

You'll find a magnificent and valuable set of historical monuments in Wroclaw on Ostrów Tumski, the oldest part of the city. It used to be an island (hence the name, "ostrow," formerly meaning island) where the seat of the Piast princes was located. As early as the 12th century the first bishop's house and ducal palace were built here, and in the 14th century the entire island passed into the possession of church authorities. Therefore, today you can visit the relatively small Gothic church of St. Peter and Paul, which was built in the first half of the 15th century, and then the unique church of St. Cross and St. Bartholomew, which is two-story. In addition to its two stories, the church has many spatial solutions that were practically unheard of in Poland. From here, head further to St. Martin's Street, where stands the tiny St. Martin's Church from the 13th century, which is the only remnant of the former castle, and then along Cathedral Street passing the Bishop's Palace you will reach St. John the Baptist Cathedral. It is a beautiful building, and its two towers are the strongest accent in the skyline of Ostrow. The current church, whose construction began in 1244, is the fourth on this site. Go around the building to see the interesting set of chapels - late Gothic and Baroque - added to the chancel.

The beauty of Wroclaw's architecture and the power of its attractions make it the perfect city to spend your free time Book flights to Wroclaw now and wander the charming old town streets, admiring the city's nooks and crannies full of color and rich history!