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Old Town - the international the meeting place of Wrocław

Catering to all tastes Wrocław historic centre has a surprisingly cosmopolitan vibe.

Stare Miasto
Based in Wroclaw, Poland
Stare Miasto
Based in Wroclaw, Poland

General Info

Slashed with ribboning waterways and richly decorated with gorgeous architecture, Wrocław’s youthful vibrance belies a history that extends beyond 1,000-years. Stare Miasto is a microcosm of all of this, and its international atmosphere should come as little surprise given the city’s nickname: ‘the meeting place’. Traditionally seen as something of a crossroads uniting the nations of Central Europe, this reputation is underscored by the presence of St. Stanislaus, St. Dorothea and St. Wenceslaus on one of the city’s emblems (the three Saints of Poland, Germany and the Czech Republic). Yet despite the abundance of soaring church spires, glowering gargoyles and charming cobbled streets, this district cannot be accused of lacking youth, and that’s attributed not just to the presence of the city’s ornate university, but also thanks to the bars and restaurants that pepper the area. Catering to all tastes and budgets – from subterranean taverns to fancy ethnic restaurants – they lend the historic centre a surprisingly cosmopolitan vibe.

Architecture and available real estate

Centred around a Gothic town hall that looks especially enticing when illuminated at night, Wrocław’s mediaeval square is where all life converges. Framed by merchants’ houses painted in exquisitely radiant colours, features include one of the world’s oldest restaurants, a monument of the bard Aleksander Fredro and the Hansel & Gretel tenements linked by an overhead arch. A feast for the senses, the aesthetic delight is all the more remarkable considering the significant damage the area suffered during the Red Army’s siege in 1945.

Browsing the flower market at Pl. Solny, or visiting the flamboyant Leopoldina Hall (named after the University’s founder, Emperor Leopold), one would never guess that the area had to largely start from scratch once peace was declared. An insight into Wrocław’s contemporary history can be glimpsed in the renovated Old Stork Synagogue, the only Jewish house of worship to survive the war – falling inside the ‘Four Temples district’, its close neighbours include other houses of worship such as the St. Mary’s Orthodox Church, the Evangelical Church of God’s Providence and St. Antony’s.

On the other end of town, the Racławicka Panorama – a cycloramic painting depicting the 18th century Battle of Racławice – is one of the city’s most treasured sites. The entire Old Town is complemented by the adjacent islands on the Odra River, including the Cathedral Island. Accessed by a humpbacked bridge, the Cathedral’s tower offers the best possible view of the city below.

From a real estate perspective, property is largely limited to apartments inside the city’s tenements, however, new investments are not unknown and include the corner-less Ovo building and Atal Towers close to the River Oder. Other notable projects include the ongoing Quorum and Bernardyńska complexes, the latter being inspired by the dark brick form of the city’s first skyscraper. The ambitious Bulwar Staromiejski project has seen over a dozen properties, many of historic value, revitalized and retouched with a chic flair for design. 

Architecture and available real estate

Centred around a Gothic town hall that looks especially enticing when illuminated at night, Wrocław’s mediaeval square is where all life converges. Framed by merchants’ houses painted in exquisitely radiant colours, features include one of the world’s oldest restaurants, a monument of the bard Aleksander Fredro and the Hansel & Gretel tenements linked by an overhead arch. A feast for the senses, the aesthetic delight is all the more remarkable considering the significant damage the area suffered during the Red Army’s siege in 1945.

Browsing the flower market at Pl. Solny, or visiting the flamboyant Leopoldina Hall (named after the University’s founder, Emperor Leopold), one would never guess that the area had to largely start from scratch once peace was declared. An insight into Wrocław’s contemporary history can be glimpsed in the renovated Old Stork Synagogue, the only Jewish house of worship to survive the war – falling inside the ‘Four Temples district’, its close neighbours include other houses of worship such as the St. Mary’s Orthodox Church, the Evangelical Church of God’s Providence and St. Antony’s.

On the other end of town, the Racławicka Panorama – a cycloramic painting depicting the 18th century Battle of Racławice – is one of the city’s most treasured sites. The entire Old Town is complemented by the adjacent islands on the Odra River, including the Cathedral Island. Accessed by a humpbacked bridge, the Cathedral’s tower offers the best possible view of the city below.

From a real estate perspective, property is largely limited to apartments inside the city’s tenements, however, new investments are not unknown and include the corner-less Ovo building and Atal Towers close to the River Oder. Other notable projects include the ongoing Quorum and Bernardyńska complexes, the latter being inspired by the dark brick form of the city’s first skyscraper. The ambitious Bulwar Staromiejski project has seen over a dozen properties, many of historic value, revitalized and retouched with a chic flair for design. 

Green and recreational areas 

Piaskowa and Słodowa Islands are special places on the local map and attract no shortage of seasonal events. Stretching by the moat, the Podwale Boulevards are as appreciated by joggers as they are by art students sketching in the open air. Running from the Hala Targowa market to the National Museum, the modernised Dunikowski Boulevard is popular for sunset walks looking out as it does over the calm, inky waters of the Oder River.



Transport 

Train: The train station is located directly south-east of the Old Town and can be easily reached by foot, tram, bus or car.   

Car: Wrocław’s narrow and congested streets have forced the authorities into taking specific measures to improve Old Town’s accessibility. However, parking remains limited and peak hours can see the streets become gridlocked. The city’s one-way system has also faced criticism.

Bicycle: cycling and scooters are the most convenient way to travel around the Stare Miasto district although its compact nature also favours walkers.  

Tram: trams circle the heart of the Old Town along Kazimierza Wielkiego and Szewska streets. A key public transport node, trams from Dominikański Square run to all corners of the city.  

By plane: the airport can be reached by car in 30-45 minutes.                                                        


Transport 

Train: The train station is located directly south-east of the Old Town and can be easily reached by foot, tram, bus or car.   

Car: Wrocław’s narrow and congested streets have forced the authorities into taking specific measures to improve Old Town’s accessibility. However, parking remains limited and peak hours can see the streets become gridlocked. The city’s one-way system has also faced criticism.

Bicycle: cycling and scooters are the most convenient way to travel around the Stare Miasto district although its compact nature also favours walkers.  

Tram: trams circle the heart of the Old Town along Kazimierza Wielkiego and Szewska streets. A key public transport node, trams from Dominikański Square run to all corners of the city.  

By plane: the airport can be reached by car in 30-45 minutes.                                                        


Local amenities

DH Feniks, DH Renoma and Galeria Dominikańska offer a modern retail experience and the area is also conveniently close to the Wroclavia shopping centre. Hala Targowa is popular for locally-grown produce.

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