Country | Poland |
Population | 638,659 |
Area | 292.81 km2 (113.05 sq mi) |
Time Zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
Coordinates | 51.1, 17.03333 |
Highest elevation | 155 m (509 ft) |
City Gallery
City Description
Wrocław, a vibrant city in southwestern Poland, is the largest in the historical region of Silesia. Situated on the banks of the Oder River in the Silesian Lowlands of Central Europe, it lies approximately 40 kilometers (25 mi) from the Sudeten Mountains to the south. As of 2023, Wrocław has an official population of 674,132, making it the third-largest city in Poland, with its metropolitan area home to around 1.25 million people.
Wrocław serves as the historical capital of Silesia and Lower Silesia and is currently the capital of the Lower Silesian Voivodeship. The city’s history spans over 1,000 years, having been part of various states including the Kingdom of Poland, the Kingdom of Bohemia, the Kingdom of Hungary, the Habsburg monarchy of Austria, the Kingdom of Prussia, and Germany, before becoming part of Poland again in 1945 after World War II.
Known for its academic excellence, Wrocław is a bustling university city with a student population exceeding 130,000, making it one of Poland’s most youth-oriented cities. The University of Wrocław, previously known as the German Breslau University, has produced nine Nobel Prize laureates since the early 20th century and is highly regarded for its educational standards.
The city is rich in historical landmarks, including the Main Market Square, Cathedral Island, Wrocław Opera, the National Museum, and the Centennial Hall, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Additionally, Wrocław is home to the Wrocław Zoo, the oldest zoological garden in Poland.
Wrocław is classified as a Gamma global city by the Globalization and World Cities Research Network (GaWC) and is frequently listed among the world’s most livable places. In 2021, it was ranked first among all medium and small cities by fDi Intelligence. The city has hosted numerous significant events, including the European Youth Meetings of the Taizé Community in 1989, 1995, and 2019, the Eucharistic Congress in 1997, and the 2012 European Football Championship.
In 2016, Wrocław was a European Capital of Culture and the World Book Capital. It also hosted the Theatre Olympics, World Bridge Games, and the European Film Awards that same year. In 2017, it was the venue for the IFLA Annual Conference and the World Games. In 2019, Wrocław was named a UNESCO City of Literature, further cementing its cultural and historical significance on the global stage.
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