Wrocław must-sees: a short guide of sightseeing classics

If you are going to spend a weekend in Wrocław. Or if you have just come for your Erasmus term and you do not know where to take your visitors so that they won't miss anything essential, here is a short guide of the classical must-sees. (The list of alternative might-sees is to come. Hopefully)

(I won't put Rynek here! Come on, you will get there by yourself)

1. Hala Stulecia/Centennial Hall
http://www.halastulecia.pl/en/

Hala Stulecia is a UNESCO Heritage site and probably the most unique tourist attraction in Wrocław. It is a must-see for all the architecture fans. Nature-lovers will be delighted as well. Hala is situated in a beautiful park, facing the Japanese garden. There is a largest fountain in Poland with water shows taking place every hour. This area, called Pergola, is an ultimate chill-out zone, where many people bask in the sun, read, or just lie on the grass. (In the winter there is an ice ring!).

2. Panorama Racławicka
http://www.panoramaraclawicka.pl/en/what_to_see.html

I will warn you - Panorama Racławicka is weird stuff. Have you ever been in the middle of the painting? If not, go and see. It is not about the picture being a masterpiece it is more about the visual effect that it creates and the real-unreal dilemma that we face standing amidst the battlefield.


3. Ostrów Tumski
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ostr%C3%B3w_Tumski,_Wroc%C5%82aw

Ostrów Tumski is a former island at the heart of Wrocław. It is a place where the city started and probably an area with a highest churches-ratio per square kilometre in Wrocław. Ostrów is a perfect place for a lazy afternoon walk and getting a feeling of 'historicness' surrounding you. With its old brick walls, cobbled streets, little gardens and river being so close it is very picturesque. You can visit the Cathedral Tower and see a panorama of the city.      

4. Aula Leopoldina
http://www.muzeum.uni.wroc.pl/aula-leopoldina

Aula Leopldina is a great example of baroque architecture. It is situated in the university building at the riverbank. If you like being overwhelmed with grandeur and see a university room that (in the opinion of many foreigners) opinion resembles a church, go there.  


5. Dwarfs
http://krasnale.pl/en/
To see the dwarfs (that are a symbol of Wrocław) you do not have to go anywhere. Walking around Rynek area and keeping your eyes peeled is enough. But it's worth seeing the father-dwarf (Papa Krasnal) in Świdnicka, which was the first one. It represents the best the role dwarfs had in fighting the communist regime in Poland... 'Wait a minute' - you can ask - 'What have dwarfs to do with a dissident movement?' But I won't answer this question here, I advise you to find out yourself, when you are in Wrocław!