Wrocław is the capital of Lower Silesia situated on the Odra River and three other rivers: Bystrzyca, Oława, Ślęża. Wroclaw is a city of a more than 1000 year tradition. From a Slavic town it was gradually transformed into a wholly German city during the Middle Ages. Severely hit and destroyed during World War II and as the symbol of that time often compared with Gdansk and Kaliningrad (Russia). Before the World War II there were 330 bridges in Wrocław, and now there are only 220 left. In 1997 the city was hit by a great flood of Odra River, and renovated afterwards.

10 Nobel Prize winners come from Wroclaw: Theodor Mommsen (historian, 1902), Philipp Lenard (physicist, 1905), Eduard Buchner (chemist and zymologist, 1907), Paul Ehrlich (scientist, work in hematology, immunology and chemotherapy, 1908), Gerhart Hauptmann (dramatist, 1912), Fritz Haber (chemist, 1918), Friedrich Bergius (chemist, 1931), Otto Stern (physicist, 1943), Max Born (mathematician and physicist, 1954), Reinhard Selten (economist, 1994). 

Museums and galleries
Wrocław is especially famous for its galleries. It’s a modern city that pays a lot of attention to promotion of young artist, that’s why galleries are everywhere. There are also very interesting museums and among them Raclawice Panorama -  an enormous 120 metres long and 15 metres high painting.

Interesting places
Town Hall - built in 13th century, initially used for commercial purposes. Since 1968, the Town Hall has housed the Museum of History.

Town Square – the square dates back to the 13th century. Gradually it became the commercial centre. An auxiliary marketplace was established nearby to accommodate the salt trade (Solny Square) and today it is the most beautiful flower trade in Poland. There is a whipping post from the Middle Ages where petty criminals, trouble-makers, and hooligans were flogged or put on public display.

Hala Ludowa (Peoples’ Hall) – listed as UNESCO World Heritage, built in the years 1911-1913, designed by Max Berg in the memory of the liberation wars against Napoleon. It was the largest building of its kind at the time of the construction.

Ostrów Tumski („Cathedral Island”) – the oldest district of the city. The traces of the original settlements from 7th and 9th century were discovered there.

The Racławice Panorama – a relic of 19th century 120 meters long and 15 meters high painting. It was painted in 1893-1894 in Lviv to commemorate the centenary of the Kościuszko Insurrection and the victory at the battle of Racławice. At the end of 19th century Panorama was put on display in Budapest and was viewed by more than 800.000 visitors.

Palaces in Wrocław that are worth visiting:
- Wrocław Palace
- Archbishop’s Palace at Katedralna Street from 12th century,
- Former Palace of the Legnica-Brzeg Piasts at Kuźnicza Street from the first half of 14th century,
- Former Palace of the Polish Piasts, first mentioned in 1393 and 1410
- Former Palace of the Wallenberg-Pachaly Family erected in the years 1785–1787
- Former Spaetgen Palace built around 1719 for the Spaetgen family
- Former Hatzfeldt Palace constructed in the years 1714–1722

Wrocław is famous for its bridges. The most important are:
- Piaskowy Bridge (Sand Bridge) – first mentioned in 1149 is considered to be the oldest in Wrocław
- Młyński Bridge (Mill Bridge) – first mentioned in 1149
- Uniwersytecki Bridge (University Bridge) – constructed around 1200
- Grunwaldzki Bridge – in the past known as Imperial Bridge or Freedom Bridge. 2300 of steel and Silesian granite was used in its construction.