Wrocław - Miniatures, Gnomes and a Panorama

Wrocław is one of my favourite cities in Poland, and this weekend ranks as one of the most fun and memorable. We spent about half a day just exploring old town, and came across so many little bronze statues of gnomes doing different things. A jolly old gnome laden down with croissants on the window sill of a bakery. One carrying pails of water across it's shoulders as it sat on a fire hydrant. Climbing up lampposts, slouched against walls, and generally causing mischief - these little men were a delight to find, and truly make Wrocław unique.

But I probably should have started with how the say the name of this city in the first place. For the unclued among us (don't worry, I was there too) you've probably spent the previous paragraph thinking "Row-claw". But I'll put you out of your misery now: it's pronounced like "Vrots-wauve" (like "rots" with a V in front of it, then "suave", but with a W at the front instead of an S). Phew! Glad we got that out of the way.

Another cool thing they have in Wroclaw is the Panorama Racławicka. It's a painting of a famous battle between the Russians and the Poles (the Polish won, of course) that spans the entire wall of a circular room. Honestly, my expectations weren't very high before I saw it, but honestly, it's like nothing else. The detail, motion and emotion depicted in this work is exquisite, and you literally feel like you're standing in the middle of a battle field.

On Saturday we went to a miniature world on Saturday (it's actually the largest city train set in Poland, as I later learned), called Kolejkowo. Mini steam trains whizz through mountains, beside beaches, farmland, a circus, and so much more. Again, I just soaked up all the detail that went into it. There was also a model of the Wrocław Town Square, where comical scenes were unfolding before you, and police cars were rushing to a car crash front and centre.

I honestly had the best time in Wrocław. It's a unique, curious and beautiful place, and while it's not the biggest or most well-know of Polish cities, I would highly recommend a visit.

Love,
Addie xx