Exploring magical Wroclaw, Poland

When my friend asked if i'm interested to tag along to Wroclaw, Poland, i didn't expect much from it. Thinking that it's like any other European city, castle, churches....but this small city has lots to offer. Though the dwarf was a really nice touch but i also enjoy roaming the city itself

when people say Poland, what came to my mind was not very rich country, probably dirty....my my was i wrong. The city was very clean and organize, every building was well maintained and beautiful

Wroclaw old town hall, clock tower

morning view of the Wroclaw old town hall, east elevation

colorful buildings surrounding the Market square

love the triangle facade

typical polish breakfast at the Market square and it's not cheap too

tourist information, one can even buy the dwarf map

travel mates

famous Polish poet, playwright and author

love the red green checker roof. This is among the oldest and the tallest building in the Old Town, St Elizabeth's Church, has stood on this site since 12th century

but the current Gothic structure dates to the 14th and 15th centuries

cute roofs

university of Wroclaw, it was destroyed 1945 by the Red Army and was rebuilt 

the University Church of the Blessed Name of Jesus

this late Baroque church has been ranked among the most beautiful in Central Europe

and certainly the most impressive in Wroclaw

the church is amazing

really beautiful

it was built as part of the university complex in the late 17th century on the site of Piast castle

by the river side

you might think this is called the Red Bridge but No it's called Sand Bridge. The 1st records of  the bridge date from back to 1154. It connects Piasek Island with the left bank Wroclaw. Initially there was a wooden bridge standing at the city gate , the present bridge came into being in 1861. Numerous renovation and repairs have altered it's original appearance   

Tumski Bridge 

there are lots of love locks

lovely fridge magnets at a souvenir kiosk

the Church of Holy Cross / St Bartholomew's

One of Ostrow Tumski's most beautiful and iconic structures, thanks to a 70m steeple and impressive entry staircase, this curious sanctuary is actually 2 churches in one

split over 2 levels, the building comprises the shorter windows of the Church of St, Bartholomew beneath the soaring windows of the upper level Church of the Holy Cross. The 1st 2 stories church in Silesia, and one of the only few in all of Europe, it was completed in 1295

this is the Canons's House of the Holy Cross chapter, built in the end of 16th century. It was destroyed in the 17th century but was rebuilt

cathedral of St. John the Baptist

this was the 1st brick building in Poland, when construction began in 1244, it also house the largest organ in Poland, which prior to the war was also the largest in the world

some buildings near by, does look like Disneyland

the National Museum Wroclaw. It has the largest contemporary art collection in the country and it's FREE 

and the employees there are really friendly and helpful. i love Polish people

it's pretty hard to get lost in Wroclaw, the have signs everywhere and few Free WiFi stops too

not sure what this is but looks kind of ancient

next to Raclawice Panorama 

it's a monument cyclonic painting depicting the Battle of Raclawice, during the Kosciuszko Uprising. more picture of this on my next entry. Worth visiting it's amazing

the wet market but too bad when we got there it was close already

random pictures

Polish dumplings, Pierogi

it's really nice if the chef knows what he/she is doing. this is obviouly an disappointing Pierogi so i'm not going to bother to mention the restaurant name 

later summer market 

can find all kind of traditional Polish delicacy...yum

a various type of home brewed beers, of course

it's nice to sit back and relax while enjoying polish songs after a tiring day...life's good

sunset at the Old Town

love how lively this city is, lots of hot hunks too ladies ;)

view of the City Hall in the evening

me with the beautiful City Hall

 Piwnica Swidnicka, might be the oldest restaurant in Europe? 

it's a restaurant which served typical Polish dishes. I did not dine here but i heard that the food was so so and a little pricey well for that location kind of expected but nonetheless the setting is really medieval

night view of the city

i like both the night view

and the morning view of the city....lovely

from the town we took the tram to this Centennial Hall

the tram ticket system it's like in any other Europe country. You can buy it on this automatic ticket kiosk or you can buy it on board but it only take card so the safest is to buy it on the ticket kiosk

anyway back to this Centennial Hall, a UNESCO World Hisotry Site since 2006.As an early landmark of reinforced concrete architecture, the building became one of Poland's official national Historic Monuments.It was designed by Max Berg in 1911

one can visit the Hall. I've forgotten how much it cost but if you have a student card you can get discounts

the cupola 

there is also a light show. really cool

now the hall is use for concerts and events

there are also the music fountain, zoo and a Japanese Garden, all are FREE to road about well except for the Japanese Garden

panorama view of the Centennial Hall

if i'm not mistaken it cost about 4Euro/ pax for the Japanese Garden

it does look like a typical Japanese Garden in Japan

a nice place to visit in a hot summer afternoon with all the trees

sweet flower scent floating in the air

very peaceful. well except for when there are alot of tourists

a small tea house 

one last look at the Hall before heading back to the town

golden egg?

cute bronze animal statue

Wroclaw Opera house

we also had a little time for shopping...hehehe at Renoma, the biggest and  most high-end departmental store in Wroclaw. Also a nice place to run away from the scorching hot summer afternoon weather, it you know what i mean. Believe it or not this is a historic building also dating back 1927

after a nice 3 days 2 night visit in Wroclaw, time to say goodbye to this charming little city

this is why i like Wroclaw, everywhere you walk one are surely to bump into interesting art pieces

Wroclaw main train station

the interior has high ceiling with wooden roof. Even with the high ceiling it's still very hot and humid during summer and they don't have much sitting area

Overall was a very satisfying weekend escape for me. I was so surprise how charming and interesting Wroclaw is. I would definitely recommend this city. If you ever travel to Central Europe do drop by Wroclaw. You'll be surprise what this small city can offer

~ pozegnanie ~