Wroclaw, Rynek Glowny ( Market Square )

The characteristic landmark of the city, where all the routes begin is traditionally the Rynek . Wroclaw has Poland's second largest . You will see it on the majority of the postcards with its stunning Town Hall dating back to 13th century and quite rightly so as the square is the main gathering point for both social and cultural events.

The Town Hall, Wroclaw

The Astronomical Clock at the Town Hall

The Whipping Pillar in front of the Town Hall

On the eastern facade of the Town Hall - now the museum - your eye catches immediately the famous astronomical clock and in front you will see the old Whipping Pillar - now only a peaceful meeting place. The imposing 5 floor department store 'Feniks' built at  the beginning of the twentieth century - in its early years topped by a huge illuminated glass globe shattered by lightning in 1930 is located on the eastern side of the Rynek and will provide you if not with all the shopping required, certainly with fantastic views from the upper floors over the Old Town. Also on Feniks top floor can be found a very useful Internet and IT facility
The southeastern facade of the Town Hall with its stunning embellishments gives a shelter for the artists - drawing and selling their pictures on the pavement.

Artists displaying and selling their paintings in the shadow of the Town Hall

In the town halls medieval cellars next to the Piwnica Swidnicka Beer Cellar you will discover Wroclaw's oldest brewery the Spiz Brewery. At the entrance to the cellars is replica statue of the Breslau Bear, there is a fountain from its mouth which if you want good luck then you must touch it.

A replica of the Breslau Bear near the Spiz Restaurant

A more imposing monument  a hundred metres away is to  Alexander Fredro one of Poland's most prominent writers and playwright.

Monument to Aleksander Fredro prominent Polish playwright and writer

Also on this side of the Rynek can be found the two main tourist and cultural information centres - one the 'Wroclaw Info' has limited free Internet access for tourists both have very helpful English speaking staff. The Western side is dominated by the lively jetting Wroclaw Fountain giving joyful enjoyment to young and old and illuminated in the evening.

The Rynek Wroclaw Fountain

It's also from here that you will see and be enchanted by two fairy like Baroque houses named 'Hansel and Gretel linked by an archway through which can be found St Elizabeths Church which has one of the tallest towers in Wroclaw with panoramic views of the Rynek and beyond from the top. The opposite corner of the square will take you to Plac Solny which houses the open air colourful flower market open 24/7.
You can spend an entire day on the Market Square as there are many beautiful features to discover.  See if you can find any of the numerous little gnomes hiding in the least expected places.

Some of the Ryneks inhabitants, The Gnomes

Three mysterious passage-ways link the Town Hall buildings and all this among the countless number of colourful bars, cafes and restaurants with their outside seating and colourful sun shades, there was certainly no shortage of places to eat, drink, relax and meet people.

Words I would use to sum up Wroclaw Rynek - Vibrant, Historic, Colourful, Traditional.

During our stay in Wroclaw we ate in restaurants around the Rynek, drank in its bars/cafes or just sat under lush green foliage of the trees on one of the many benches and soaked up the scenery.

All our photographs of Wroclaws Rynek can be viewed in the image gallery at www.imaginepoland.com

Please come back to see our next review on Wroclaws Flower Market and Indoor Market

Useful Links
www.imaginepoland.com
Wroclaw Info
Wroclaw Description