A city of castles, palaces and fairytale dwarfs... this is Wroclaw, in Silesia, Poland, with its infinite charm and unique character that impresses even the most reserved visitor. A convoluted history makes this place one of the most special ones in Poland, and the fact that it has been passed repeatedly between several countries has turned it into a culturally and architecturally diverse city. To begin exploring it from a holiday home in Silesia, Wroclaw, you should start in the Old Town, with the simply stunning Market Square, the cobbled streets and bridges, canals and churches that seem to redefine the meaning of culture itself. A bulk of museums and monuments are to be found in the Old Town, beautiful University buildings and of course the city gnomes. The "District of Mutual Respect" is a neighborhood that you will not want to miss, a place where there are worship places of four different denominations, and this is where you will also find the only Jewish synagogue that has been left in this city. Wroclaw seems to have set its venues to impress its visitors of all ages, in any season, with an endless grace.
The soul of Wroclaw
You may think that leaving your holiday home in Silesia, Wroclaw and getting to the Old Town will set you in the heart of the city, and you are not wrong at all... yet the soul of this cultural place in Poland is Ostrow Tumski. This is the first part of the city that has been settled in the 9th century, by Slavic tribes. This is where you will find the city's most renowned Cathedral, a place that portrays an endless serenity. The city's UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Centennial Hall, is surely not one to be missed either. This stunning architectural marvel is a great place to spend an afternoon at, and around it there are parks and gardens you can walk in, even the Wroclaw's Zoo is nearby, thus a load of fun is pretty much guaranteed. The multimedia fountain here is a very impressive sight as well, and if you have more time on your hands, there is also the option of taking day trips from Wroclaw to various sights in the area, like the Ksiaz Castle, the peace churches in Jawor and Swidnica and many others.
And the gnomes...
A pretty emblematic thing about Wroclaw is actually not its castles or palaces, or the many churches, but the "dwarf colony" that populates this city. In the city center, these merry faces dot the alleys, doorways, street corners, and though at first you may not even notice them, after a while you kind of stumble upon them constantly, sometimes even literally, and you'll see that these "city residents" take their stands very seriously. Engaged in various activities, the gnomes of Wroclaw are very much photographed and they have become a symbol of the city throughout the years. Along the city streets and among its hospitable "merry inhabitants" you will also find a number of restaurants and bars, clubs and terraces where you can stop by at any time for a cup of coffee and a specific Polish dish, while enjoying the city's endless charm.
