Wroclaw Travel guide

Wroclaw is one of the oldest cities in Poland. It was probably established by the Czech duke Wratislav (died 921). At the end of the 10th century it was seized by Mieszko I and incorporated into Poland as one of the ducal residences and one of the most important defensive towns in the country. Wroclaw made history, however, in the year 1,000, when at the Gniezno meeting of Boleslaus the Brave with Holy Roman Emperor Otto III the Wroclaw bishopic was established. Situated at the intersection of main trade routes, Wroclaw was already at that time a significant centre of administration and political life and of trade and crafts.

At first Wroclaw was a group of settlements around the ducal castle town, which grew in number because new settlers were steadily coming in. In 1242 this informal organization changed into a Western- type city. The city was chartered by Duke Boleslaus Rogatka, and Wroclaw became a communities civium, a legal person. In 1261 Dukes Henry III and Vladislav granted the city the privilege of having a town council, a medieval self-governing body, and, with this, the privilege of using the new Magdeburg laws. The city was also awarded a number of exemptions, and enjoyed the widest range of privileges in Lower Silesia, which boosted further development of the city and trade, which became a source of its affluence.

Wroclaw's history was rather complex. In the Middle Ages Bohemia and Poland viewed for control of the city. In 1335 Wroclaw was finally incorporated into Bohemia, and 1526 saw the start of the Habsburg rule in the province. Though still dynamically developing, the city became a capital of one of the numerous provinces. It was after the city was seized by, and incorporated into, Prussia in 1741 that Wroclaw underwent a period of intense development and administrative and political reforms. Wroclaw was changed into one of the largest fortresses in Prussia, at the same time it was made a capital and resident city. On the other hand, adoption of Prussian municipal laws meant that the self-governing council was abolished, and the council became a state agency under the control of the Wroclaw Kamera. The first general elections to Wroclaw's self-government were held as late as in 1809.

IMAGE:A new period in Wroclaw's history started after the occupation by the Napoleonic army (1806-1808). After demolishing the city walls and fortifications and implementing, in 1808-1839, the act of cities by the Prussian authorities, Wroclaw was quickly changing and developing. In 1808 it incorporated the suburbs and several adjacent villages. It was only at that time that Wroclaw extended beyond the boundaries that had been restricting it since the start of the 14th century. With the territorial expansion the industries were also developing, and this was boosted by the opening of the railway line from Wroclaw to Olawa in 1842. Soon new railway connections were established, and this made Wroclaw one of the first and largest railway hubs in Europe. These developments invigorated trade in the city, and were supported by the numerous financial and insurance companies. The development of the city was abruptly stopped by World War II; as a result of the defense of Festung Breslau at the close of the war about 70 % of the city was demolished. Restored and building on its rich historical traditions, Wroclaw is now one of the most important Polish centres of administration, industry, culture and science.

The city with its charming historical center, parks, good restaurants, hotels and friendly people (700.000 inhabitants) is a pleasant place to visit and to do business. It lies on an ancient trail linking western and southern Europe with the major cities of the east and north. Rich in remarkable works of art and architecture, the city is known for its fine Gothic and Baroque structures. Wroclaw's history dates back to the year 1000, when King Boleslaw Chrobry established a bishoprick here. In 1241, it was granted the status of a civitas, and shortly afterwards the urban plan of the present-day Rynek Square and Old Town was drawn up. The Wroclaw skyline is dominated by numerous church spires, including those of the Cathedral founded in the year 1000.

Poland's fourth largest city, Wroclaw is a center of industry, communications, transport, education, and the arts. The city has Poland's largest flour mills, electronics and data-processing facilities, foundries, machinery plants, textile mills, the Hutmen copper plant, and food-processing facilities. Eight educational institutions are located in the city along with nine museums, several theaters and music centers, and a botanical garden and zoo.

Internationally acknowledged musical festivals have become the city's cultural landmark. The biggest of them is International Festival WRATISLAVIA CANTANS - Music and Fine Arts. Other festivals which take place in Wroclaw include Jazz on the Odra, Old Master's Music Days, One-Actor Theatre Performances and Festival of Actor Songs. One of the cultural attractions which is a must when visiting Wroclaw, is certainly the Panorama of Raclawice, a gigantic rotunda accommodating a 120 meters wide and 15 meters high panoramic painting which represents the battle of Raclawice fought on 7 April 1794. In today's Wroclaw the most interesting structures are churches, such as the church of the Holy Spirit in the Bardzka street, the church of the Mother of God in the Wejherowska street, the church of Christ the King in the Mlodych Techniksw street. A building also worth seeing is the Medical Diagnostic Center Dolmed in the Legnicka street.