Wrocław: Old Town, Poland
Wrocław is one of the largest and most beautiful cities in Poland. Join us for a day trip to this exceptional destination, where we’ll explore the Old Town and its crown jewel — the picturesque Market Square, rich in history and culture. To truly experience the charm of Wrocław’s historic center, you’d need at least a week. In just a few hours, we’ll only skim the surface of its landmarks and attractions. Still, we hope this glimpse will inspire you to visit Wrocław yourself. We’re already looking forward to returning and spending more time here.
Parking in Wrocław near the Old Town
To park as close to the Market Square as possible, we recommend the underground parking lot beneath Plac Wolności and the National Forum of Music, opened in 2014 (1; GPS: 51.1075115, 17.0262543). This modern and spacious facility offers 660 spaces, with an hourly rate of 4 PLN (as of 2021). We arrived on a Saturday around 10 a.m. and found plenty of spots available. However, during concerts or special events, parking may be more limited. The entrance is from Krupnicza Street, while the exit is via Helena Modrzejewska Street.
Walk towards the Market Square
From the underground parking lot, we emerge (or take the elevator) onto Plac Wolności. The square is quite impressive, especially when viewed alongside the striking modern architecture of the nearby National Forum of Music. Just nearby, you’ll also find the Orpheus’ bust right at the entrance.
Walking along Helena Modrzejewska Street, we pass on the left the birthplace of Max Born — a Nobel Prize-winning physicist and mathematician (B; GPS: 51.1064981, 17.0297669). Just after that, we spot the historic Monopol Hotel, a beautiful Art Nouveau building opened in 1892 (C; GPS: 51.1060956, 17.0310517), which was completely renovated and reopened in 2009.
At the intersection, we turn into Świdnicka Street, now a pedestrian promenade. On the left, we pass the late Gothic Church of St. Stanislaus, St. Dorothy, and St. Wenceslaus, once belonging to the Franciscan order (D; GPS: 51.1065417, 17.0311617). After walking about 100 meters, we reach Kazimierza Wielkiego Street, a broad, two-lane road. We cross it and continue towards the Market Square, passing shops, restaurants, and cafés (E; GPS: 51.1083539, 17.0327389). If you feel like grabbing a coffee and some cake — go for it!
Market Square in Wrocław
We enter the Market Square from the south-west corner and are immediately captivated by the beauty of the City Hall (F; GPS: 51.1095258, 17.0320792). This late-Gothic structure dates back to the 13th century and was later extended and remodeled. Today, it houses the Museum of Bourgeois Art, while in the basement you’ll find the historic Piwnica Świdnicka pub. The Town Hall's tower stands 66 meters tall and features the oldest clock bell in Poland, dating back to 1368.
Adjacent to the City Hall is a tightly packed cluster of townhouses arranged in a rectangular block. Historically, they served as trading stalls, which explains names such as Cloth Hall, Rich Stalls, and Linen Stalls. Inside the block, you’ll find three charming narrow alleys.
On the other side of the Town Hall stands the monument to Aleksander Fredro (G; GPS: 51.1096708, 17.0312369), unveiled in 1956 at the site of the former monument to Frederick William III. The Fredro statue originally stood in Lviv, was relocated to Warsaw in 1946, and finally brought to Wrocław in 1956.
Tenement Houses in the Market Square
All four frontages of the Market Square are worth seeing, as they are lined with charming, colorful tenement houses. Keep in mind that about 60% of the square’s buildings were destroyed during World War II — the most important ones have since been rebuilt. Some noteworthy examples include the House Under Seven Electors (H; GPS: 51.1100531, 17.0303033), House Under the Blue Sun (I; GPS: 51.1102719, 17.0303947), Polish Manor House (J; GPS: 51.1105025, 17.0305153), House Under the Griffins (K; GPS: 51.1108528, 17.0306683), and the quirky Hansel and Gretel houses (L; GPS: 51.1111272, 17.0307300). Next to the latter stands the impressive 14th-century Basilica of St. Elizabeth of Hungary (M; GPS: 51.1114828, 17.0303383).
As mentioned earlier, in the very center of the Market Square lies a compact block of tenement houses with three short inner streets. We enter one of them — Przejście Garncarskie (Pottery Passage) (N; GPS: 51.1102483, 17.0322481), and then the next one — Sukiennice (Cloth House) (O; GPS: 51.1099300, 17.0319664), where a handicraft market was taking place.
Solny Square
The Solny Square (P; GPS: 51.1094569, 17.0295308) adjoins the Market Square at its north-eastern corner. Unlike the Market Square, it is not built-up but instead bordered by townhouses. One of the most eye-catching buildings here is the Oppenheim House (Q; GPS: 51.1098425, 17.0292681).
Penitential Bridge in the Cathedral of St. Mary Magdalene
To enjoy a panoramic view of the Old Town, it's worth climbing up to the Penitential Bridge. This viewing platform is located on a bridge connecting the towers of the Gothic Church of St. Mary Magdalene, situated less than 100 meters from the Market Square (R; GPS: 51.1094636, 17.0347586). There is an admission fee — a regular ticket costs 8 PLN, and a reduced one is 5 PLN (as of 2020).
Summary of Our Trip to Wrocław
What we’ve shown here is just the bare minimum of what you can explore in only a few hours, including a lunch break in one of the many restaurants. The Old Town covers a much larger area and hides countless fascinating spots. As we mentioned at the beginning — perhaps a full week in Wrocław would be enough to explore them all, although we're not entirely convinced.
See also: