For your convenience, we have prepared a list of 10 points on the city map that you must see while spending your free time here. What kind? We invite you for a small, virtual walk...
1. Ostrów Tumski - 2,1 km from Europeum
Ostrów Tumski is the oldest, historic part of Wrocław, with a history dating back to the 10th century. It is here that the first stronghold was built by Mieszko I.
There is the Archcathedral of St. John the Baptist, known as the mother of Silesian churches here. It is considered to be the first fully Gothic temple in Poland. In addition to numerous historic churches, the Archdiocese Museum deserves special attention, which houses the Henrykowska Book from the turn of the 13th and 14th centuries with the first sentence in Polish was written inside.
Wrocław is known as the Venice of the North, as well as the City of Bridges. There is a reason - a hundred bridges and footbridges are here, and one of the most famous, Tumski Bridge, also known as the Lovers' Bridge, leads to Ostrów Tumski.
It is worth coming back here in the evening when the lighthouse keeper from Wrocław lights over 300 gas lamps. Did you know that this is the last place in Europe where we can still see such a view? Sounds fabulous, doesn't it?
2. ZOO and Afrykarium - 3,7 km from Europeum
Has childhood gone forever? Not necessarily! Even if you don't have children, visit the zoo while in Wrocław. It is the oldest zoo in Poland, at the same time being the third in the world in terms of the number of animals, and the fifth most visited in Europe. We can see there 1,132 species here, move to different places in the world, and the most impressive is the modern Africarium.
A suitable microclimate, 15,000,000 liters of water (6 Olympic swimming pools), as well as fauna and flora from all over Africa at your fingertips, are unforgettable experiences.
3. Main Square and Dwarfs - 300 m from Europeum
Do you know where one of the most beautiful and largest old town markets in Europe is located? Well, in Wrocław. Beautiful architecture, atmospheric tenement houses, and restaurants as well as places worth visiting make it the most popular attraction of Wrocław. 8,000 historic tenement houses have survived in the city, and 60 of them surround the Wrocław Market Square. Of course, the most valuable of them is the town hall, consisting of two parts - the old and the new, being the largest and the oldest in Poland. It is here that the oldest restaurant in Europe, still operating, is located - Piwnica Świdnicka.
Wrocław has countless interesting and mysterious places, but watch your feet! In this city, there are ... Dwarfs. There are several theories of how they came to the city, but the fact is that they have lived in Wrocław since the 1980s and you can find almost 400 of them! At the Europeum Hotel, you will get a map that will help you get to know and find a large part of them. However, it is impossible to see them all, always one of them will surprise us in the most unexpected place.
4. Centennial Hall and Pergola - 3,8 km from Europeum
One of the 15 places in Poland inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, and also one of the most important works in the world architecture of the 20th century - the Centennial Hall. The designer was the outstanding Wrocław architect Max Berg. Its creation in the years 1911-1913 was related to the desire to organize the Centennial Exhibition in its interiors, to commemorate the hundredth anniversary of the defeat of Napoleon at Leipzig. The complex also includes the Four Domes Pavilion with the Museum of Contemporary Art. From 1953, the building was the seat of the Wrocław Feature Film Studio. More than 400 excellent Polish films were made here, including "Ashes and Diamonds" by Andrzej Wajda or the well-known comedies by Sylwester Chęciński "Sami swoi", "Nie ma mocnych" and "Kochaj or cast".
At the back of the Hall, there is the largest multimedia fountain in Poland - Pergola. It has 300 water jets, 3 fire jets, 800 light points, and an area of approx. 1 hectare. We recommend visiting this place in the evening in the spring and summer season when the water begins to dance to the music and the light creates colorful images.
5. Incredible Roosevelt backyard - 1,8 km from Europeum
Undoubtedly, the most unique backyard in Poland, and certainly in Wrocław. A paradise garden, the blue of the oceans, dogs, and cats, dinosaurs, own poems and portraits of the inhabitants, a beloved football team, works of outstanding painters - all this can be found on a 250-meter painting that was created on Roosevelt Street, from the courtyard in the tenement houses. The work covers over 1,200 square meters and is a combination of painting, sculpture, and ceramics, and all the inhabitants were involved in its creation.
6. Japanese Garden - 3,9 km from Europeum
While in Wrocław, you can also move to Japan. And no, we do not mean a hidden portal, but an authentic Japanese garden located in the vicinity of the Centennial Hall and attached to one of the oldest English-style parks in Europe - Szczytnicki Park.
Established in 1909–1912 in connection with the 1913 Centennial Exposition, it was designed by Japanese gardener Mankichi Arai. In 1994, in cooperation with the Japanese embassy, prof. Ikuya Nishikawa and Nagoya gardeners began restoring the garden to its Japanese character. It is a living fragment of Japanese culture unique in Europe. The Japanese government donated a few 19th-century granite lanterns to the Garden, and the Japanese named the garden Hakkoen, ie the white and red garden.
7. The four Faith District - 300 m from Europeum
Wrocław is one of the friendliest and most tolerant cities. Everyone is welcome here, everyone is "our". The symbol of this is the Four Denominations District, located only 300 meters from the Europeum Hotel. The boundaries of this area are marked by churches: Catholic, Evangelical, Orthodox, and synagogue. Everything in the neighborhood, with a smile and a unique atmosphere. Here you will find original dishes as well as plenty of cultural events.
8. Neon Side Gallery - 300 m from Europeum
Also known as the Neon Gallery or Wrocław Neon Signs. This is another unique backyard in Wrocław at Ruska 46C street is lit up at dusk by over 30 old neon signs of companies, cinemas, shops, pubs, and department stores. It makes an impression on both young and old, especially after dark.
9. Penitential Bridge (Witches' Bridge) - 600 m from Europeum
As we mentioned earlier, Wrocław is the City of Bridges. Depending on the counting methodology, there are from 100 to 300, which places us in the top ten in Europe. The highest situated of them is the Penitential Bridge (or Witches), around which a legend circulates ...
The first legend says that in the past, young women who, instead of starting a family and living faithful to one man, led a dissolute lifestyle. As punishment, they were locked on the bridge and were supposed to sweep it. The second name comes from the time of witch-hunting. According to legend, if the accused woman managed to cross the bridge, she was considered to be helped by Satan and sentenced to death. However, if she fell off him, she was acquitted.
10. Kolejkowo - 650 m from Europeum
The largest miniature, interactive world in Poland, with running trains, cars, and moving residents depicting Wrocław. It is the only model in Poland on which the ship sails and in places, it is simulated raining. You will also find our hotel there! Great fun that attracts not only children but also adults.
We hope that with this short guide it will be much easier for you to plan your trip to the Capital of Lower Silesia. Let us know how you liked the attractions, or maybe you discovered something completely new? Let us know on our social media
