Wroclaw, Cafes and Restaurants

One thing certainly not lacking in Wroclaw is a variety of places to eat, the style of cafe's
and restaurants is certainly diverse, from back street cafe's to plush city square restaurants
all with their own character and style with equally appetizing dishes.

Krawozyk Restaurant, Wroclaw

Chatka Przy Jatkach

While in Wroclaw we had many traditional Polish dishes, Bigos (Hunters Stew), 

Pierogi (Stuffed Dumplings),Zurek Soup (Rye Soup with Sausage and Egg) and lets 

not forget one of my favourites, Potatoe Pancakes also various delicious Polish Sausages, 

just mouth watering thinking about them. 

All dishes at the places we visited were well presented and amicably served, 

also well priced . 

Chatka was one place of note, lots of character, very traditional with smiling happy waitresses 

and quick service, also a vast array of dishes and on the plus side a menu in English.

Zurek, soup in bread

Several places we visited specialised in sweets, one in particular Cukiernia in the 

Market Square had such a choice of mouth watering cakes and sweets you just knew 

any thoughts of a slimming diet were futile, the ones we had were superb. Don't just take 

my word for it, get on the next flight go there, try them, dissapointed you will not be.

Cukiernia, Superb Sweets and Confectionery

For a delicious pizza Novocaina in the Market Square is the place to go and if its not to 

busy and you can manage the spiral staircase one of the best tables is on the first floor 

with a view of the Market square, the food we had was terrific and the view superb.

Look at that sweet , how could you resist it, we did'nt

Our dining experiences in Wroclaw were fantastic, great food and service with helpful  friendly advice. 

Don't hold back, enjoy.

For an in detail explanation of Polish cuisine have a look at Poland Culinary website, 

this will tell you everything you need to know.

Useful Links 

www.imaginepoland.com

http://www.polandculinaryvacations.com/index.php

Wroclaw, Wikipedia

Imagine Poland, Wroclaw, City Life and People

One of the most interesting of our galleries to photograph is City Life and its People, such a range of characters all with their own purpose, travelling to work, on holiday, street entertainers, shoppers or just strolling through the streets and squares.

City Life in Wroclaw is vibrant at all levels. The students bring joy, love and enthusiasm to everyday life and it’s the students that fill the streets of Wroclaw. The busy traffic free Swidnicka and Olawska streets are packed with crowds of real and window shoppers, tourists and businessmen dashing for the next meeting. As to the public transport the omnipresent in Wroclaw are certainly the blue tramways – made famous in the old polish songs.

Wroclaw, Blue Tram

Apart from the usual traffic there are also many cyclists.

Wroclaw, Rynek Cyclist

The City has an abundance of theatres and cultural and artistic institutions but as if it was not enough it’s renowned for its music festivals and the outdoor events.

Wrocklaw, Tumski Bridge

You can have a laugh at the humour of parody of the communist 1^st May Day Parade. On the other hand there is a beautiful and proud celebration of Poland’s recently introduced national Flag Day.

Wroclaw, Flag Day

There is always something happening in the City of Wroclaw – the Meeting Place.

See more of our City Life and People photographs at www.imaginepoland.com

Wroclaw Useful Information

wikipedia

wroclaw-life

airport,wroclaw

polish cuisine

poland activities and locations

wroclaw street map

Imagine Poland, The Churches of Wroclaw

The number of churches in Wroclaw possibly  exceeds the average need but it’s just one example of  the diversity of the city. The churches vary enormously in their architectural styles, remarkable features, sizes and location as some of them are on the main land and some on the isles.

The Cathedral of St John the Baptist on Ostrow Tumski, Wroclaw

Although the majority are of Roman Catholic Faith, you will find them all neighbouring one another with the Orthodox and Protestants churches and also a Synagogue. Certainly Wroclaw’s churches are worth visiting for seeing both the beautifully decorated interiors, fascinating history and also climbing or in some cases being taken by a lift to the top of the towers to admire the stunning views of the town.

View from the Cathedral of St John the Baptist on Ostrow Tumski, Wroclaw

For the latter ones – particularly advisable are St Elizabeth’s Church in the immediate vicinity to the Rynek, and on the other side of the Market Square – 

St Mary Magdalene Church, Wroclaw

the St Mary Magdalene Church with its curious ‘The Witches’ Bridge’ spread among the 2 twin towers of the church, and finally the grand Saint John the Baptist Cathedral.

Church of St Mary on the Sands, Wroclaw

A completely unique ambiance will embrace you while crossing the river to Ostrow Tumski – the historical cradle of Wroclaw, that later became a royal and religious sanctuary. Originally an island – Ostrow Tumski still conserves this special feeling and is home to five amazing churches including the most important above mentioned cathedral and the Archbishop’s Palace – a museum at present – with stunning gardens.

Ornate Water Spouts on the Cathedral of St John the Baptist on Ostrow Tumski, Wroclaw

It’s only here that at night you can still stroll on the cobbled lanes among beautifully cut greenery in the light of original gas lamps.


View all our photographs of the churches of Wroclaw at www.imaginepoland.com


Useful Links


Historic Wroclaw, Poland Trips


Wroclaw Map ( Wroclaw Life )

The Gnomes of Wroclaw

Wroclaw is the meeting place: meeting of new with old, modern with tradition, trendy with old fashioned, industry with culture and art, city with gardens, islands with rivers. The bridges of real and abstract nature seems to be crossing all over the city. Perhaps one of the most unusual of these meetings is that of the tiny fairy tale gnomes. What differs as well is that although it’s possibly the most exciting thing for children this time also adults can see the little creatures. Dating back to what was originally graffiti of Wroclaw’s Orange Alternative movement of the communist era, the little gnomes started to appear in the city in 2005 being the creation of local artist Tomasz Moczek. 

A Very Full Gourmet Gnome

The first 32 were commissioned by the City’s Council, the others by local businesses which more than tripled this number. There is even a map available listing all the 123 gnomes and telling their little stories. Now it’s the major tourist attraction as children are looking forward to sightseeing and gnomes hunting in one. The locals give them affectionate glance on the way to work and the gnomes are just doing all sorts of! There are two Sisyphuses pushing the ball, 

A Very Sleepy Gnome

the Sleepy guarding the entrance to the Dwarf’s Village, the Football Fan supporting Silesia, the Gourmet who’s eaten too much, the newly wed Mr&Mrs Dwarf, the Cinema Lover, The Prisoner and the Dumpling Eater, the Postman, the Washer on the bank of Odra river and the ones that are leading their lives on the lamp posts. 

Gnome with Ball and Chain in Prison

It’s a real challenge to spot them all and it’s a great fun as well  - enjoy it! we did. 

A useful overview of the City of Wroclaw by Polish Culinary

More information about Wroclaw from Poland Trips

Wroclaw, Flag Day 2010

Flag Day – formally a ‘Flag of the Republic of Poland Day’ since 2004 is annually organised on the 2nd May. The date was chosen to coincide with the ‘Polonia Day’ – celebrated as the reunion day for all the Poles, around 20 millions are now living outside their country. The aim was to help polish people identify themselves again with the national symbols after years of communist regime and teach the young generations about polish symbols and history. Although it is not a public holiday itself, in reality it ends up as being a day off and a national holiday for almost everybody as the National Flag Day celebration falls in between the unfortunate, traditional since communist era 1^st May ‘Labour Day’ – with the working class parade and the 3^rd of May, the ‘Constitution Day’ a very important holiday which was banned until 1990.

Wroclaw Flag Day 2010

Nowadays the polish white and red flag will fly out of the windows for the 3 consecutive days. The 1^st of May is a joyful and weather willing – picnic atmosphere day with possibly a few parody like labour style parades in the cities. The 2^nd of May hosts some lovely, happy and colourful celebrations.  

Cyclists at Flag Day Wroclaw

 This creates a suitable preparation for the national pride – Polish Constitution Day on the 3^rd of May, when Poland celebrates the creation in 1791 of the first modern constitution in Europe.

Flag Wavers at Flag Day Wroclaw

On our trip to Wroclaw we were lucky enough to not only watch but also to participate in the Flag Day celebrations on the Main Market Square under the rays of sunshine. 

Young Flag Wavers at Flag Day Wroclaw

Surrounded obviously by lots of flags - the big ones for the adults and the smaller ones for the children we entered the smiling crowd of celebrating Poles. 

Flag Day Wroclaw

Here are some photos of the event – we hope you will enjoy them as much as we did taking them on that happy occasion.

Flag Day Wroclaw

Flag Day Wroclaw

Flag Day Wroclaw

Radio Wroclaw interviewing at Flag Day Wroclaw

Flag Day Wroclaw

All the photographs of the event can be viewed at our website Imagine Poland. 

 www.imaginepoland.com

Usefull Links

The Flag of Poland, Information 

Flag Day, Some History 

Wroclaw, a brief guide (by Poland Culinary)

Wroclaw, Thanks Jimy Festival 2010

A Jimy Hendrix Festival in Wroclaw and it was going to be held in the main square the day after we arrived, May 1st.

Poster advertising the event

 I did some more investigation on the internet and discovered that this festival was in its eighth year and in 2009 a guinness world record had been achieved with 6,346 guitars playing along to 'Hey Joe' under the direction of Leszek Cichonski one of the best European blues rock guitarists.

Leszek Cichonski

This year saw 4,597 guitarists registered, not quite as many as the  previous years record but you have to admit thats a lot of guitarists.

Some of the artists featured on stage were Greg Koch, Marek Piekarczyk, Mieczyslaw, Mark Raduli and former lead singer of Genesis, Ray Wilson.
It was a great event to photograph, so many opportunities.

The atmosphere was fantastic, an event attended by all ages. The afternoons festival ending with everyone raising their guitars at the end of the last song, what a sight !

There was then a procession to the next venue on one of Wroclaws islands for an evening concert.

I have marked the date in my calandar for next years event, this is not to be missed.

Usefull links are

Thanks Jimy
Guitar Instruction, 'you tube
Hey Joe, Wroclaw
Wroclaw and Lower Silesia, Culinary Delights

All the photographs from this event and other images of Poland can be viewed at  Imagine Poland

Wroclaw, The University

One of the special places on our list to visit was Wroclaw University which is located on the banks of the Odra river and only a ten minute walk from the Rynek ( Market Square ).
The main university building is open to the public and houses some spectacular attractions. Entry costs are variable depending on how many areas you wish to visit.

Looking across the River Odra towards Wroclaw University

On the ground floor is the Oratorium Marianum  a beautiful and ornate concert hall whose decorations we found quite stunning although not to sure about the modern purple/mauve seating.
Also on the ground floor is a small museum which displays the history of the university since 1702, one of the exhibits which stands out in my mind was a poster photo showing the devastation of the area at the end of WW2.

Staircase leading to Aula Leopoldina

A staircase decorated in a fresco style leads up to the main hall, Aula Leopoldina this room is quite spectacular and well worth the visit. Here you will find a sense of the history, traditions and ceremony of Wroclaw University. On the walls in between the windows are oval portraits of many of the university founders and if you look upwards you will see frescoes by Christoph Handke, also watch out for the sculptures by Franz Joseph Mangoldt.

Wroclaw University,the Aula Leopoldina

Wroclaw University, the Aula Leopoldina

Displayed on the walls of the final staircase which lead to the Mathematicians Tower are paintings and photographs depicting the history of the university.
The final attraction at the top of the staircase is The Mathematicians Tower which gives an amazing panoramic view of Wroclaw and the River Odra from its terrace.

Wroclaw University, the Mathematicians Tower

Views over Wroclaw from the University Mathematicians Tower

At each corner of the tower looking out over the City are symbolic statues depicting four faculties Theology, Philosophy, Medicine and Law.

Wroclaw University, statue at the corner of the Mathematicians Tower

Wroclaw University, statue at the corner of the MathematiciansTower 

In the courtyard area to the front of the University can be found the statue of the Naked Swordsman It is rumoured the statue depicts a previous student of the university who after a drunken evening lost all his money and clothes playing cards keeping only his fine sword.The statue was erected as a warning to others.

The Naked Swordsman, Uniwersitecky Square, Wroclaw