City Trip to Wroclaw and the Church of Peace in Swidnica

The city of Wroclaw is about five hours’ drive north of Vienna. It is ideally accessible from both Austria and Germany. On the way, there are interesting stops like Prague or Brno (I recently wrote about my stay in the second largest city in the Czech Republic); it’s easy to get there by train as well as by car.

My dad, my little son and I only spent two days and one night in Wroclaw. Yet Poland’s fourth largest city in the south of the country managed to take our hearts by storm! Let me tell you how to make the most out of even just a short stay in the city.

Hello, Wroclaw: On the road with my family in the formerly German city that now bears the Polish name Wroclaw.

Hello, Wroclaw: On the road with my family in the formerly German city that now bears the Polish name Wroclaw.

 

Staying close to the city’s famous sights.

Thanks to a recommendation, we chose the Mleczarnia Hostel on the Old Town Ring, right next to the National Music Forum of Wroclaw, which conveniently also offers a (cheap) underground car park for our car. All the city’s sights, such as Wroclaw’s market square with its famous Gothic town hall, the cathedral and the many small islands on the Oder River are within easy walking distance.

As we set out to walk around, we let ourselves be carried away by the colourful hustle and bustle of the locals; the weather with the low, golden autumn sun plays along ideally on the day of our visit!

Ankunft in Breslau: Gemütliche (Familien)Unterkunft ...

Arriving in Wroclaw: Cosy family apartment …

 

... and beautiful walk through the historic old town of Wroclaw, here with a view of the city's truly magnificent Gothic town hall.

… and beautiful walk through the historic old town of Wroclaw, here with a view of the city’s truly magnificent Gothic town hall.

 

Tip: The small Oder island Wyspa Slodowa offers a great view of Wroclaw’s old town.

And especially the baroque university building towering over the water. There are numerous bars here (even now, in sunny autumn) on the waterfront or on boats, inviting you to linger along the islands and bridges on the Oder. Really very nice here!

Crossing to Wyspa Slodowa, one of the numerous small islands on the Odra river that flows through Wroclaw ...

Crossing to Wyspa Slodowa, one of the numerous small islands on the Oder river that flows through Wroclaw …

 

... with nice places to stay like these ...

… with nice places to stay like these …

 

... spontaneously, some of the sights remind me of cities like Hamburg or Berlin ...

… some of the sights remind me of cities like Hamburg or Berlin …

 

... and in general, Wroclaw, with its numerous, successful contrasts between tradition and modernity, casts a powerful spell on us, I must say.

… and I find that Wroclaw, with its numerous contrasts between tradition and modernity, really grows on me in just this short span of time.

 

Big churches and little dwarfs in the middle of Wroclaw.

We continue our walk towards the magnificent Wroclaw Cathedral, which can be seen from afar thanks to its two high towers. On the road, we encounter many little dwarfs: They tell short stories at special points in the city, such as indicating the house with Wroclaw’s first book printing workshop. Check this out.

Walking to Wroclaw Cathedral ...

Walking to Wroclaw Cathedral …

 

... funny details, like this little dwarf, are always hidden at our feet.

… funny details, like this little dwarf, are a hidden storytelling treasure at our feet.

 

In the historic centre, a small footpath also informs us about the most important stages in the city's one thousand year history.

In the historic centre, a small footpath also informs us about the most important stages in the city’s one thousand year old history.

 

Night time in Wroclaw.

As night falls, we are tempted once more to walk through the historic centre of Wroclaw. For the last time on our trip through Poland, we fill our stomachs with the typical Pieroggi dumplings that I enjoyed so much eating here: A slight melancholy sets in before our departure.

How fortunate that we discover a very special restaurant that evening: Right next to our Mleczarnia hostel is Cocofli – Books Art Café Wine Bar. The name pretty much describes it, as here we find a pleasant and successful mixture of books, magazines and a well-stocked wine bar!

Nachts in Breslau ...

Evening stroll through Wroclaw …

 

... das Cocofli in der Pawla Wlodkowica begeistert uns ...

… Cocofli Bar in Pawla Wlodkowica is my tip for any art, book and wine lovers …

 

with its flair that ideally combines bookshop and wine bar. I would definitely want to stop by here again on my next visit to Wroclaw!

… as it ideally combines bookshop and wine bar. I would definitely want to stop here again on my next visit to Wroclaw!

 

Just outside of Wroclaw: Swidnica Peace Church as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

If, like us, you can spare a little time, don’t miss a visit to the historic Peace Church in Swidnica, about half an hour from Wroclaw. Half-timbered houses, yes, but complete churches in half-timbered construction? I have NEVER seen a church like this. It is rightly listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, both inside and out, counting all its cultural treasures.

First hidden in the canopy ...

At first, hidden in the canopy …

 

... the mighty Friedenskirche (Peace Church) is particularly impressive on the inside, as it is built entirely of wood and clay in a half-timbered construction - something this view would not suggest. Fascinating!

… the mighty Peace Church is particularly impressive on the inside, as it is built entirely of wood and clay in a half-timbered construction – something this view would not suggest. Fascinating!

 

Bye bye Wroclaw and surroundings: we'll definitely see each other again!

Bye bye Wroclaw and surroundings: we’ll definitely see each other again!

 

Come straight with me to Poland and check out my latest travel video!

 

You can find even more information on travelling through the Lower Silesia region of Poland, including tips for accommodation and excursions here:

 

Below is the picture gallery of my entire trip through Poland, including the castles of Lower Silesia as well as Wroclaw:

 

Disclaimer: I have been invited by the Polish Tourism Board on this trip to Poland. All opinions are my own.

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