Wroclaw
From World travel guide
| Wrocław's Coat of Arms | |
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| Wrocław's logo | |
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| Quick Facts | |
| Coordinates | 51°07' N, 17°02' E |
| Population (officially) | 637,548 (2003) |
| Tel. Area Code | (+48) 71 |
Wrocław (pronounced Vrots-waf, German: Breslau) is the largest city in the Dolnośląskie Vovoidship in Poland.
Contents |
Understand
Wrocław is largely an undiscovered gem, boasting fascinating architecture, many rivers and bridges, and a lively and metropolitan cultural scene. It is a city with a troubled past, having seen much violence and devestation, and was almost completely destroyed during the second world war. However, it has been brilliantly restored and can now be counted amongst the highlights of Poland, and the entire central European region. As Poland rushes headlong into further integration with the rest of Europe, now is the time to visit before the tourist hordes (and high prices) arrive. Read "Davies, Norman and Moorhouse, Roger. Microcosm: Portrait of a Central European. City" to understand the complicated history of the town.
Get in
By plane
Wrocław is served by an international airport. LOT fly here from Warsaw, Frankfurt and Munich. SAS fly here from Copenhagen. From March 2005, Ryanair fly here from London Stansted and East Midlands with fares from £15 one-way all-inclusive. You can find departures and arrivals table at Wrocław website
From the airport, bus 406 operates from the terminal building to central Wrocław (schedule).
By train
Wrocław is a major destination in the Polish rail network, with several trains a day to all large Polish cities ( route planner).
By bus
Wrocław is a stop on the Eurolines international coach network.
Get around
The centre of Wrocław is navigable on foot, but the feature has an excellent public-transport system for access to the suburbs and outlying attractions. The city has 60 bus lines and 25 tram lines.
By bus or tram
Tickets
To use the system, you must buy a ticket before you board from a ticket machine or any shop with a sign saying "Ruch". Tickets cost 2.00zł, students (with ISIC identification) pay half. You must validate your ticket on board, or face a 70zł fine if caught by an inspector. Tickets are not time-based nor route-based, i.e. you pay each time you enter a different vehicle.
If you travel with large bags (such as backpacks) you must also buy a 1.00zł ticket for the bag.
The Wrocław Tourist Pass
Wrocław, as the first city in Poland, offers electronic Wrocław Touris Pass, which offers you unlimited use of the city’s public transport, admission into selected tourist attractions and discounts at selected tourist attractions.
There are three kinds of pass available:
- a one-day pass (valid for 24 hours) – 39.00zł
- a three-day pass – 79.00zł
- a school pass (a one-day pass – 20.00zł, or a three-day pass – 39.00zł).
More information can be found at http://www.wroclaw.pl/m9605/.
Route numbers
- 0-24 — trams
- A,C,D,E,K,N — express lines (ticket costs 2,80zł)
- 100-149 — normal buses
- 3xx — normal buses, peak hours only
- 4xx — accelerated buses
- 6xx — suburban buses (if outside town, ticket costs 2,60zł)
- 7xx — accident buses
- 240-259 — night buses (ticket costs 2,80zł)
Timetables
By taxi
- List of Taxi companies.
See
- Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, ul. Katedralna, open 10am-6pm (closed Sundays), admission 4zł, tower admission 5zł. Dating from the 13th century, featuring stunning architecture and the largest church organ in Poland.
- The Rynek, or central square, is the archictural centre-point of Wrocław, and its most obvious attraction. It is one of the biggest town squares in Europe, and is lined on all sides with photogenic and interesting buildings. Centre of tourist life, place where tourists drink beer.
- Town Hall, ul. Sukiennice 14, south side of the Rynek, open 11am-5pm (closed Monday), admission 4zł. Construction of the town hall began in the 14th century. It was one of the few major buildings in Wroclaw to survive World War 2, and it now serves as the Museum of Burgher Art. The interior features stunning gothic interiors.
- Świdnicka Cellar, academically documented more than 500 years of beer drinking in this place.
- Ostrow Tumski, group of islands on Odra River with beautiful Cathedral and few hunders year old biuidings, for those who would have romantic evening,walking through mistery brick stoned streets is a MUST
- St. Elizabeth's Church, ul. Elzbiety 1, open 9am-4pm (1pm-4pm Sundays), tower admission (no lift) 5zł. On the northeast side of the Rynek, this is a large and imposing medieval building with a 90m high tower with spectacular views over the old town.
- Salt Square Pl. Solny, formerly salt market,now flower market,
- Panorama of the battle of Racławice, (pl: Panorama Racławicka), ul. Purkyniego 11, open 9am-4pm Tuesday-Sunday, admission 20zł (includes admission to National Museum). This giant 360-degree painting, depicting a Polish military victory in 1794, is popular symbol of Polish nationalism. Guided tours in English, French and German run every 30 minutes at no extra cost.
- National Museum, Pl. Powstancow, open 10am-4pm (closed Monday), admission 15zł. Features a large collection of Polish art.
- Opera House, ul. Swidnicka
- Japanese Garden, Park Szczytnicki, open 9am-7pm April - October, admission 2zł. A remainder from the 'World Expo' of 1913 held in Wroclaw, this is a large landscaped garden restored with the assistance of the Japanese government.
- Botanic Garden, ul. Sienkiewicza
- Max Berg's Centennial Hall (Breslau Dome, former Jahrhundert Halle, pl: Hala Ludowa)One of the firsts concrete halls, mentioned in any history of architecture. See article.
- Breslau Office Building by Hans Poelzig
- Synagogue "Under the White Stork", 19th century synagogue
- Wrocław University of Technology. http://www.pwr.wroc.pl/en_main.xml
Interesting structures in Wroclaw
- Wroclaw Aiguille - a distinctive object placed close to the Hala Ludowa.
- Grunwaldzki suspended bridge, beginning of 20th century; Zwierzyniecki bridge, end of 19th
Do
Eat
Budget
Mid-range
Splurge
Radisson Hotel, next to Panorama Raclawicka
Drink
The most popular bars and night clubs are situated in the old town, main square:
- Thursdays: students night, usually free entry, not as crowded as friday and saturday
PRICES:
- Beer 0,5 L: 4-7 PLN
- Wine glass: 7-12 PLN
- Vodka shot 4-7 PLN
Sleep
Budget
- The Stranger Hostel, [1]. Located within a stone's throw of the old city, just around the corner from the train station. Expect to pay 40-60zl for a dorm bed, inclunding breakfast (bread, jam and cheese), laundry, sheets, lockers, internet, and a media lounge where you can watch dvd movies and play xbox video games.
- International Youth Hostel
- Na Wyspie ul. Wyspa Slodowa 10, 50-266 Wroclaw, tel.(71)3226099; 3226088, fax.(71)3226113, hotel@hotel-tumski.com.pl
- Na Kielczowskiej ul.Kielczowska 43, 51-315 Wroclaw,tel.(71)3457396, fax.(71)3457396, ssm-lzn@com.pl
Mid-range
Splurge
- Art Hotel is the best hotel in Wrocław according to the "Forbes"
Contact
Stay safe
Cope
Get out
Kliczków - 122 km away.
External links
fr:Wroclaw WikiPedia:Wroclaw Dmoz:Europe/Poland/Voivodships/Lower_Silesia/Wroclaw
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