Wroclaw may2014  poland 237of history,  culture and people city which in 2016 will be culture capital of Europe presents visitors with multitude of exiting impressions. This Piast , earliest Polish Kings dynasty , town represents  very rich mosaic of  Polish and European history . Name  Wroclaw ,  being on the cross roads of Amber Route and commercial  roads  , tracks between Eastern  and western  parts of Europe on the northern part of the Carpathian Mountains  , as historical annals say  comes from Bohemian Duke Vratislav I. This town is example of powerful Piast Dynasty .  The  year of  990 when  Duke Mieszko I  of Poland conquered  Silesia  and Wroclaw  was the start  of importance  .  In Wroclaw  soon after  Mieszko I accepted Christianity  , his  son King Boleslaw I  / Great / established here bishopric of Wroclaw . This amazing town is the symbol of Polish presence in this remarkable corner of Poland and dynamic region of Europe.  Wroclaw like the Silesia was  ruled in these early years of 2nd millennium  by Silesian Piast dynasty . Dynasty which was the foundation of  Polish Kingdom . As an evidence of strong influences of Poland presence in Wroclaw through  centuries one needs to bear in mind fact that in 1475, the first Polish language book , Wroclaw may2014  poland 175printed and issued  in Poland   was in no other place but exactly  in Wroclaw. This great city and surrounding area through its history  reaches  the very early days of European people movement .  More than  3800 years ago,  male,  one can call traveller in these days  most likely  from Skåne area of today’s Sweden  has  made a journey all the way to  the region of  today’s  Wroclaw . Yes ,  he walked all the way to this great  area  where Wroclaw is situated .  Beside this brave  fellow  some  other very special characters got to Wroclaw too  . They  always accompany the Wroclaw visitors  during their  tours  of Wroclaw .  The  walking tour of  splendid Wroclaw  which  will bring  lots of great surprises  . From time to time in most unbelievable places  on Wroclaw streets ,  lanes ,squares  basically all over  small , smart looking , very  cute  gnomes   appear  on front of the  visitors eyes .  They  provide  special  mood  and  spirit  of adventure and discovery  of Wroclaw  with  degree of charming fairytale flavour . Wroclaw being capital of Lower Silesia (Dolny Slask)  is attractively placed on numerous islands  , joined by chain of  more than 100 bridges across Odra  river. On the river  ,between these islands  small vessels provide attractive options of reaching many special  places in Wroclaw  and opportunity to view  the town from different angle  .  From the boat one can see Ostrów Tumski -“Cathedral Island”  with the steep towers of the St. John the Baptist Cathedral .  Also  “ Piasek “  , Mlynska “ , “Slodowa” Islands  are in area of boat trips to  present  the ideas to the visitors on the history and development of the town .  “ Piasek “ – sand so important in building the town , Mlyn”  water mill, “ Slod”- ingredient to brew the beer are names of some of these islands  where  true commercial activities  took place .  Central point of Main Market Square  provides truly colourful tapestry of interesting architectural styles . Gothic, Baroque and Art Nouveau buildings  house  great restaurants , shops with souvenirs , museums , wine bars  for tourists joy . Here  on the cobble stones of the “ Rynek “  – Market  Square one  senses the  riches of the  German, Bohemian , Austrian  and Polish history  and culture .  On the Square  very attractively one can come across memorial of Aleksander Fredro famous Polish author and poet  .On the  Square many other  surprises await .Here  at   “ Piwnica Swidnicka “  situated  in  the Town Hall  building and  claimed  to be Europe oldest Restaurant  , dating back to 1273 which provided  culinary specialities to Frederyk Chopin, Julius Slovak and Johann Goethe,  contemporary Polish cuisine specialities await . The multi cultural and multi  denomination  history of Wroclaw is clearly visible in many corners of town  . Especially in the area of “Quarter of Four Denominations ” one  feels the  spirit of “ melting pot “ mood of this town . Here  through hundred years of the Wroclaw history many people of central Europe  conducted their businesses , interacted  with each other  in spirit  of  respect of  variety of  world views , cultures  and religions  citizens of the town represented.     Beside the Market Square , Plac Solny  “ Salt Market “ is placed .  This square  placed as the auxiliary square in trading and business  during  old days  presents attractive style of buildings  . Salt,  such a important  commodity and merchandise , nearly like  the legal tender   gave the name for the square  and also was place where later the Stock Exchange was placed . The Old Stock Exchange  building charmingly  stimulates  visitors  minds about the riches and  money which were once upon the time traded on the floors of this  lovely edifice  .   In Wroclaw  The Laboratory Theatre ,  Jerzy  Grotowski  experimental , world renown theatre  presented to the world new  concepts of theatrical expression .  Wroclaw Opera and ballet theatre are of world class . Museums , Galleries  await the  guests to this truly attractive town . In Wroclaw  mighty  , cycloramic painting  of  “ Panorama Raclawicka “  illustrating the  Battle of Raclawice, during the Kosciuszko Uprising  mesmerizes   viewers with its size , colours, dynamics  and historical theme  where Hero of Poland and USA  Tadeusz Kosciuszko ,  leads troops  into the battle against Russian  Tsarist forces . Wroclaw with its  exceptional  quality as the town , cultural centre  is a true must  to visit . Beautiful railway  station of Wroclaw can be reached  by  comfortable train services   from all major towns  in Poland and  neighbouring Germany and Czech Republic. LOT Polish Airlines provides with its partners  like Singapore Airlines air services to Wroclaw from Warsaw and other world destinations .     VISIT WROCLAW  – should be in travel plans  for all who desire to experience top value destination . Wroclaw may2014  poland 471

WMIG June 2014 More information  on Wroclaw: