ATTRACTIONS OF OPOLE CITY
AMPHITHEATRE / NATIONAL CENTRE FOR POLISH SONGS
Amongst the more appealing landmarks in the city is the amphitheatre. Since June 1963 (with the
exception of 1982 and 2010), a renowned Polish festival, the National Festival of Polish Song, has
been staged here. This witnesses the gathering of the best-known stars of the Polish music scene, as
well as newcomers. The amphitheatre also is the venue for concerts, comedies and various other mass
events.
http://www.ncpp.opole.pl/
PIAST TOWER
Piast Tower represents what is left of Piast Castle – this was situated on an island in the Odra (Oder)
River, Pasieka, in the part referred to as Ostrówek. It ranks amongst the oldest monuments of
defensive architecture in Poland and is symbolic of Opole and Opole Voivodship. In 2013-2014, the
tower was renovated, the most thorough undertaking since the 1930s. The main goal of this was not
just repair itself, but also conversion of the structure for touristic purposes.
http://www.wiezapiastowska.pl/the-piast-tower
CASTLE POND WITH FOUNTAIN
The Castle Pond, on Barlickiego Street, with its large fountain was built in the nineteenth century, at
the site of the ancient moat. Next to the pond you will find Ice House, constructed in 1909 - an
initiative of the Society of Figure Skating. After the war, the house became a PTTK shelter.
Nowadays, it is a restaurant. In 2013, a multimedia musical fountain was launched here.
Multimedia Fountain presentations can be viewed daily from May 1, at noon, 6.30 pm and 9.30 pm.
THE OPOLE OPEN-AIR MUSEUM OF RURAL ARCHITECTURE
This is the sole open-air museum of Opole Voivodship, and one of merely four of such museums
located within the historical boundaries of Silesia. During 50-year existence this museum has amassed
a rich collection of historic wooden architecture from the Opole Silesia region, which – in connection
with the museum’s wide array of attractions, such as outdoor events, exhibitions, competitions and
shows – makes it one of the region’s most unique attractions.
http://www.muzeumwsiopolskiej.pl/en
FOUNTAIN – OPOLE’S CERES
Fountain – Opole’s Ceres can be found in Daszyńskiego Square which was built between 1904 and
1907. Previously, it was named Frederic Square. Until the nineteenth century, there were suburban
gardens and fields. On top of the fountain is Ceres, the goddess of fertility. At her feet, figures can be
seen that symbolize the Opole cement industry (a man with a pickaxe), fishing (nets) and agriculture
(two women with sheaves and fruits).
BRIDGE OF CENT
The Bridge of Cent, also known as “Green”, was constructed in 1906. Originally, it was a simple
bridge; it was the site of an earlier crossing. The name of the bridge refers to the cent of toll charged
for passage. A steel structure, in Art Nouveau style (floral ornaments), characterizes most of the
bridge.
OPOLE’S VENICE
Opole’s Venice is part of Młynówka - a natural branch of the Odra (Oder) River which extends from
the Cathedral Bridge to the Castle Bridge. In fact, it constitutes an ancient river bed of the Odra. The
name “Młynówka” is linked to the mills that used to stand along the river. This part of Opole is the
most beautiful in the evenings, when houses lit by electric light are reflected in the waters of
Młynówka.
OGRÓD ZOOLOGICZNY W OPOLU
OPOLE ZOO
Opening hours:
from May 1: 10 am-6 pm
http://www.zoo.opole.pl/strona/1/aktualnosci.html
ATTRACTIONS AT WROCŁAW
Access:
By train: 1 hour ride
By car: 1 hour drive; motorway A4
THE MARKET SQUARE
The historical centre of the city is the favourite meeting place of Wrocław inhabitants and visitors
alike. The Wroclaw Market Square covers almost 3.8 hectares and ranks amongst the largest old
market sites in Poland (even larger ones can be found at Kraków and Olecko). The late Gothic City
Hall with its 66-m tall tower is the grandest building of its type in the country. Underground is
Piwnica Świdnicka, one of the oldest restaurants in Europe.
http://www.wroclaw.pl/en/the-market-square
CENTENNIAL HALL
The Centennial Hall (Hala Stulecia) is an exceptional place on the map of Poland, considered to be
one of the more important works in world architecture of the twentieth century. For many years, this
has been a place for sports events and concerts and until the 1990s the cinema Gigant used to be here.
The Lower Silesian Opera (Opera Dolnośląska) regularly stages performances here. In 1997, the
Eucharistic Congress, with the participation of Pope John Paul II, took place in the Centennial Hall,
and in the summer of 2012, the International Cultural Congress was organised in a thoroughly
renovated building. Since 2006, the Centennial Hall has been on the UNESCO World Cultural and
Natural Heritage list.
http://www.wroclaw.pl/en/centennial-hall-hala-stulecia
ZOO — ZOOLOGICAL GARDEN AT WROCŁAW
The city’s zoo was set up in 1865 and at the start occupied around a dozen hectares. It was only in the
1950s that it more than doubled its areal extent. Today it hosts five thousand animals, on 33 hectares –
Wrocław Zoo is the oldest and largest of its type in Poland where you can see animals from all
continents and environments, with pavilions representing Madagascar, the Sahara Desert, Europe and
others.
http://www.wroclaw.pl/en/zoo-zoological-garden-in-wroclaw
WROCŁAW’S FOUNTAIN
This is situated in the picturesque Szczytnicki Park (park Szczytnicki), surrounded by a pergola and in
close proximity to the Centennial Hall (Hala Stulecia); the multi-media Wrocław Fountain is the
largest of its type in Poland and one of the larger ones in Europe. Shows with classical music (among
others: Bizet, Beethoven, Wagner), as well as contemporary music (Jean-Michel Jarre, Apocalyptica,
Faith No More) are staged every hour and last between 3.5 and 18 minutes; on particular occasions,
special shows are organised.
http://www.wroclaw.pl/en/wroclaws-fountain
PANORAMA OF THE BATTLE OF RACŁAWICE
The Panorama of the Battle of Racławice is a ‘must’ on your sightseeing tour around Wroclaw, almost
comparable to Waweł at Kraków. The painting shows the battle at Racławice where members of the
Insurrection, led by Tadeusz Kościuszko, defeated the Russians. The enormous painting, 114 metres in
length and 15 metres in height, was created in commemoration of on the 100th anniversary of the
victory.
http://www.wroclaw.pl/en/panorama-of-the-battle-of-raclawice-panorama-raclawicka
SZCZYTNICKI PARK WITH JAPANESE GARDEN
The park is situated in the eastern part of the city; it is located between the old Odra (Oder) River and
ul. Wróblewskiego, Kopernika, Mickiewicza, Paderewskiego and Różyckiego. Being one of the larger
ones in Wrocław, this landscape park of wide-ranging composition and with lots of dendrological
appeal, occupies a space of approximately 100 hectares. The main attraction is the Japanese Garden,
established in 1913 and subsequently refurbished on many occasions.
http://www.wroclaw.pl/en/szczytnicki-park-park-szczytnicki-with-the-japanese-garden-ogrod-japonski
THE BOTANICAL GARDEN OF THE UNIVERSITY OF WROCŁAW
The Botanical Garden at Wrocław is the second (following the one at Kraków) oldest institution of
this type in Poland. It was created at the same time as the University of Wrocław, which was
established in 1811 as a result of the merger of Frankfurt’s Viadrina and Jesuits Leopoldinum
Academy. A green arcadia in the city centre, for enthusiasts of gardening, scientists and newly weds.
http://www.wroclaw.pl/en/the-botanical-garden-ogrod-botaniczny-of-the-university-of-wroclawuniwersytet-wroclawski
OSTRÓW TUMSKI
Ostrów Tumski is the oldest part of Wrocław. This ancient town, from which Wrocław sprang, is
surrounded by the River Odra (Oder) on both sides and includes marvellous architectural monuments.
The most splendid ones include those that were rebuilt after the war, namely the Gothic St John the
Baptist Cathedral and St Cross Church.
http://www.wroclaw.pl/en/ostrow-tumski
ATTRACTIONS OF KRAKÓW
Access:
By train: 3 to 4 hours ride
By car: 2 hours drive, motorway A4
BARBICAN
The pearl of the Kraków system of fortifications, the Gothic Barbican, also referred to as the “Rondel”
(“Saucepan”), was built to counter the Turkish threat that increased towards the end of the 15th
century. Kraków’s Rondel is one of three Gothic barbicans that have survived to this day. The other
two are in Carcassonne (France) and Görlitz (Germany). The Polish one is beyond any doubt the
largest of the three and the best-preserved at that.
http://cracow.travel/guide-to-krakow/let-s-visit/old-town/action,get,id,2412,t,Barbican.html
COLLEGIUM MAIUS AND JAGIELLONIAN UNIVERSITY
The Jagiellonian University, established by King Casimir the Great (Kazimierz Wielki) in 1364 as the
Kraków Academy, is Poland’s oldest university, and one of the most ancient houses of learning in this
part of Europe (second only to Prague, dating from 1348). Today, the Collegium Maius houses the
Museum of the Jagiellonian University. Crowds are attracted to its quadrangle to see the clock, whose
attractions are not only the carillons but also a procession of moving figures that represent people of
importance to the history of the university. This procession is set in motion every day at 9 am, 11 am,
1 pm, 3 pm and 5 pm. The list of eminent graduates of the Jagiellonian University includes the author
of the heliocentric theory, the astronomer Nicolas Copernicus, and Karol Wojtyła, later Pope John
Paul II.
http://cracow.travel/guide-to-krakow/let-s-visit/old-town/action,get,id,2888,t,Collegium-Maius-andJagiellonian-University.html
MAIN SQUARE
The huge, main square of the city was laid out in accordance with the City Charter, which awarded its
rights under the Law of Magdeburg in 1257. It was situated at the crossing of former trade routes
forming in plan a square with each side slightly exceeding 200 m (665 ft). From its earliest days, the
Main Square has played a role as the centre of social and political life, the significance of which
frequently surpassed far beyond the city limits. Cherished for decades, and in some cases for centuries,
the annual observation of local traditions endows Kraków’s Main Square with a special atmosphere.
Their number includes the Lajkonik procession – the Kraków Pony, with its accompanying band of the
revelling noise-makers, the competition for the most beautiful Kraków Nativity Scene organised on
the steps of the monument to Adam Mickiewicz since 1937, and the Enthronement of the Fowler
King.
http://cracow.travel/guide-to-krakow/let-s-visit/old-town/action,get,id,3501,t,Main-Square.html
PLANTY GARDEN RING
The demolition of the city walls, which took place at the start of the 19th century at the initiative of the
Austrian government, was primarily aimed at the “beautification” and opening up of the impoverished,
and at that time provincial, city of Kraków. A decision was made to replace the space previously taken
by the belt of fortifications with a city garden, called Planty (1822-1830). Only a short stretch of the
fortifications near the Barbican and St Florian’s Gate was preserved. Today, the Planty is divided into
eight “gardens” that extend over a length of 4 km (2.5 miles) and cover 21 hectares (52 acres). Here
one can admire 40 species of trees and shrubs, including natural heritage features, such as e.g. the 130year-old plane tree by ul. Wiślna.
http://cracow.travel/guide-to-krakow/let-s-visit/old-town/action,get,id,2909,t,Planty-Garden-Ring.html
WAWEL CASTLE AND HILL
The steep and lofty limestone hill rises 25 m (over 80 ft) above the level of the Vistula (Wisła) River.
It was formerly surrounded by riverine bogs and marshes and has always been a settlement site with
very favourable defence conditions. As demonstrated by archaeological research carried out here, the
oldest traces of human presence on the hill date back 100,000 years. Countless subsequent finds are
without doubt connected to permanent settlements. In the ninth century, the bailey standing on Wawel
Hill must have been the seat of the Ruler-Prince, and the main hub of the tribal state of the
Vistulanians. Initially, the castle stronghold was not of impressive size, and – as excavations prove –
was situated on the northern side of the hill, under one of the wings of the current castle. The structure
was extended only to the south and east when Kraków became the main seat of the Polish monarchs,
at the turn of the 11th and 12th centuries. Today, the castle houses a number of different exhibitions,
including the State Rooms, Royal Private Apartments and Crown Treasury and Armoury.
http://cracow.travel/guide-to-krakow/let-s-visit/wawel/action,get,id,2163,t,Wawel-Castle-and-Hill-abrief-history.html
WAWEL CATHEDRAL
Soon after Kraków became the seat of a bisho psubordinate to the metropolis in Gniezno (AD 1000),
the construction of the Cathedral Church was initiated on top of Wawel Hill. Its initiator and founder
was most probably King Boleslaus the Brave (Bolesław Chrobry). Unfortunately, we know little
about the first cathedral, as archaeological research has uncovered solely the bottom parts of the walls
of the crypt and transept, column bases with remnants of the column shafts (with one covered in
pleated ornamentation), and the bottom section of the altar table.
http://cracow.travel/guide-to-krakow/let-s-visit/wawel/action,get,id,2925,t,Wawel-Cathedral.html
ROYAL CHAMBERS
The reconstruction of the former Gothic Wawel Castle was carried out around 1502-1540. King
Sigismund the Old (Zygmunt Stary) paid for his brainchild which turned the somewhat austere castle
into a Renaissance palace residence of high artistic taste. Today, Waweł Castle is one of Poland’s
largest and greatest museums. The entrance to the exhibitions seen during a visit to the chambers is
situated in the eastern wing of the castle.
http://cracow.travel/guide-to-krakow/let-s-visit/wawel/action,get,id,3435,t,Royal-Chambers.html
DRAGON’S DEN
According to legend, the caves under Wawel Hill – whose corridors extend 270 m (885 ft) and reach a
height of 10 m (33 ft) – used to be the dwelling place of the Wawel Dragon. The lair of the foul beast
was opened to visitors in 1918 after the former Austrian water well was adapted for use as a staircase.
The entrance to the Dragon’s Den is situated on Wawel Hill, behind the Thieves’ Tower in a small
turret covered with an onion-shaped dome.
http://cracow.travel/guide-to-krakow/let-s-visit/wawel/action,get,id,2935,t,Dragon-s-Den.html