Wroclaw

The Rynek (Market Square), which was called "Ring" at the time of German rule, is the centre of the old... town with its tessellated arrangement. This is the heart of Wroclaw where people meet to shop and eat. The Rynek is precisely what the advertising slogan for the whole of Wroclaw encompasses: a meeting place for visitors and locals. The square is surrounded by restaurants and beer gardens. The city hall is on the southern edge of the Rynek, which is framed by an exceptional number of townhouses with magnificent façades from various eras and styles. The most interesting patrician houses are the Flemish-Renaissance style "Griffin's House" (Pod Gryfami) (no. 2), the Manneristic style "Wasa Court" (Dwor Wazow) (no.5) and "The Golden Sun" (Pod Zlotym Sloncem) (no.6) with its Baroque façade. Undoubtedly the most beautiful building of this ensemble is "The seven electors" (no. 8) with its Baroque façade, whereby the oldest part of the building dates from the 13th century. more

Cathedral Island (Ostrow Tumski), on which the diocese was founded in the year 1000, is where Wroclaw... has its roots. Here you will find some of the most beautiful churches in Wroclaw. The Gothic Church of the Holy Cross (Kosciol Sw. Krzyza) has two levels. The lower storey houses the three-naved Basilica of St. Bartholomew (Kosciol Sw. Bartlomieja), the upper storey the Hall Church of the Holy Cross. The two-tower Cathedral of St. John the Baptist (Katedra sw. Jana Chrziciela), with its high altar from the School of Veit Stoss, dates from the 13th century. The Romanesque St. Gile's Church (Kosciol Sw. Idziego) from 1218 is Wroclaw's oldest church. Ostrow Tumski is the romantic part of Wroclaw. Cathedral Island is still lit up at night by gas lanterns; the lantern lighter walks his round in the early evening. And it's not only excursion boats which start their trips down the Oder River from Ostrow Tumski - a gondola ride will almost make you feel like you are in Venice. more

The Wroclaw Cathedral with its 98 meter high twin towers tower over everything else on the cathedral... island Ostrow Tumski and is one of the landmarks of Wroclaw. The Gothic-style cathedral was built in the 13th century and is dedicated to the patron saint John the Baptist. It was destroyed many times, but was rebuilt each time, also after it had been severely damaged in 1945. The Gothic choir is the oldest part of the church and was built after the incursion of the Tartar's in 1244. The three present naves as well as the Gothic Lady Chapel were built in the 14th century. The baroque elector chapel and Elisabeth chapel designed by Italian artists was added until the 17th century. Next to the chapels, the late Gothic triptych and the baroque pews are special sights to see. more