Wrocław – European Capital of Culture 2016
Recently selected as European Capital of Culture, Wroclaw has plenty to offer.
Wrocław as the main city of historical region Silesia is truly a multicultural place. The city of Wrocław originated as a Bohemian stronghold situated at the intersection of two long-existing trading routes, the Via Regia and the Amber Road. One can say for sure that the city experienced much during its existence, it has survived Mongol Invasion and Germanization, and over the centuries it has been a part of Poland, Bohemia, Prussia, Austria and Germany.
After World War II it became the biggest city of the Recovered Territories – territory recovered from Germany. After the destruction during the Siege of Breslau the city was further destroyed by vandalism, fire, and the raising and dismantling of factories, and material assets by the Soviet Union. The rebuilding of the town was characterized by a mix of polonization and degermanization, which led to reconstruction and destruction. Gothic architecture was painstakingly restored, while testimonies of later eras were often neglected or destroyed. In July 1997, the city was heavily effected by a flood of the Oder River, the worst flooding in post-war Poland, Germany, and the Czech Republic. Around one third of the city’s area stood under water.
At present the city is a lovely place to visit and see how it regained it’s beauty and became a friendly and open city – a meeting place. In the market square you will find the XIVth century Town Hall. If you like animals Wrocław has the most famous zoo in Poland. When you visit Wroclaw you must see Racławice Panorama – monumental painting of the Kościuszko uprising which measures 15 x 200 meters! Also worth seeing: Centennial Hall (World Heritage Site), Cathedral Island with Wrocław Cathedral, St. Elisabeth’s Church and Wrocław Palace. Wrocław University and Wrocław University of Technology present nice architecture too. Wrocław is the third largest educational centre in Poland with over 135 thousand students in 30 colleges.
Do not hesitate and visit Wrocław without worry about the weather. It is one of the warmest cities in Poland.
Visit Imagine Poland blog for more photographs of Wroclaw!
Many thanks for use of photograph to www.flickr.com/photos/powazny/3781319972