The dwarfs of Wroclaw

Wroclaw (pronounced vrots-wahf), the largest city in western Poland is situated on the banks of the Oder River. It is a beautiful city and well known for it’s Market Square which is beautifully lined with townhouses. The market square is one of the largest in Europe. During World War II the building around the market square were damaged, but most of these have been restored to their formal beauty.

There are two town halls in the market square, the Old Town Hall with its large astronomical clock and the new town hall with a modern glass fountain in front of it.

In one corner of the market square is the St. Elisabeth’s Church which has an observation deck and from there one can enjoy the vastness and beauty of the town square.

As you walk on the main market square, the square diagonally at the corner known as the salt square is now a flower market. Close to the square is the 13th century St. Mary Magdalene Church.

Wroclaw is also famous as an university town, and you’ll feel this vibe among the young crowd in the town centre. The University of Wroclaw is quite a famous one as it has produced quite a few Nobel laureates.

On the roads of Wroclaw, you’ll see modern trams along side historic ones which can be used for city tours. 

The other interesting bit of Wroclaw is something I had read before my visit to Poland. It was about the dwarfs of Wroclaw. You will find small bronze figurines of dwarfs almost everywhere in the city.

You just have to spot them and that is why one of the most interesting thing travellers in Wroclaw do is go for dwarf hunting!

As I saw a few dwarfs, I found them fascinating and starting looking out for more. I am sharing the pictures of the dwarfs I spotted on my walking trail around the city of Wroclaw.

The history of the dwarfs

In 2001, to commemorate the Orange Alternative, which was the Polish anti-communist movement, a monument of the the symbol of the movement, a dwarf was officially placed on Swidnicka Street, where the group gatherings used to take place.

Since 2005, these tiny sculptures of the dwarfs have been placed throughout the city and now there are more than 400 dwarfs to look out for.

There is even a dwarf hunting map and for those preferring to use their phone, there is an app dedicated to dwarf hunting in Wroclaw!

Other sights in Wroclaw

The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Wroclaw. The top of the 97-metre tower can be reached with a lift. The tower is open between June and September.

Tumski Bridge, a steel bridge painted in blue over the Oder river is full of love locks. It is a tradition for couples to put padlocks on the bridge and throw the keys into the Oder river as a sign of their love.

The Market Hall built between 1905 and 1908 on it’s two floors has over 190 shops. It is not only a shopping centre, but also a visitor attraction.

Among the other sights there are the Orthodox Church of Saints Cyril and Methodius. The red bridge called the Most Piaskowy is a beautiful one and best enjoyed when you walk across it.

And just outside the Wroclaw university is the 17° east meridian line which passes through Wroclaw.

In the main building of the University of Wroclaw there is the Mathematical Tower. The tower’s terrace at the height of 42m provides great views of the Old Town. 

Helpful Hints

• Wroclaw is around 3 hours from Krakow. You can travel to Wroclaw either by bus or train.
• You can visit most attractions in Wroclaw in a day and it is good to include Wroclaw in a Poland travel itinerary
• More information on visiting Wroclaw can be found here 
• You can do a cruise on the Oder river by solar catamaran, an ecological boat charged with electric and solar energy
• There is a dwarf festival held in Wroclaw every September
• More details on dwarfs in the city of Wroclaw can be found here 

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