Things to do in Środa Śląska

One of the largest of its kind in Europe, Wroclaw Market Square truly encapsulates Wroclaw’s slogan as “The Meeting Place.” Always humming with locals, students and visitors, it is the perfect place to relax for a few hours. Marvel at the meticulous reconstruction of buildings destroyed in World War II completed by local residents and others who restored the square to its former glory. Notice the attention to detail that includes a recreation of the stone pillory that was used for public punishments for more than 300 years.

Wroclaw Town Hall is one of Poland’s largest and most intriguing town halls. Its construction spanned several centuries, resulting in a façade that reflects a mixture of different architectural styles. Admire the building’s distinctive exterior, check out the exhibits housed at the art museum inside and have a drink in its popular cellar bar.

For animals of all kinds, visit Wroclaw Zoo, a beloved destination located on Wroclaw’s Great Island. The zoo is enormous. Home to over 1,100 different species of animals across 82 acres (33 hectares), it is the third-most biodiverse zoo in the world. Come and learn about its more than 10,000 animals, from the okapi to lion to many species of lemur.

Wroclaw Cathedral is among the most important religious buildings in the city. Also known as the Cathedral of John the Baptist, the building is dedicated to St. John the Baptist who is the patron saint of Wroclaw. See the fine artwork and artifacts, including the largest pipe organ in Poland, housed inside this famous landmark. Take in the gorgeous views over Wroclaw visible from the top of the cathedral’s grand towers.

Wroclaw University is one of the city’s most important centers of learning, with a history that stretches back to the late 17th century. There are more than 40,000 students enrolled at the university and nine Nobel Prize winners have been educated here since the early 20th century. Past professors have included famous names like Alois Alzheimer and Robert Bunsen. Explore the interior of the main university building, check out the exhibition dedicated to its history and enjoy the views from terrace of the Mathematical Tower.

Centennial Hall (Hala Stulecia), also known as the People’s Hall, is an imposing 6,000-seat auditorium. Built in the early 20th century, the hall was one of the world’s first reinforced concrete buildings. Browse an exhibit dedicated to the hall’s construction and see the impressive music and light shows that take place at the neighboring fountain.

The Raclawice Panorama is the only surviving example of panorama painting in Poland. Spanning 459 feet (140 meters), this massive canvas depicts the battle for Polish independence against Russian forces in 1794. Use the free audio guides provided to listen to recorded commentary describe this historic battle as you admire its various scenes. Check out the other multimedia exhibitions dedicated to this unique painting and the harrowing battle it depicts.