Lower Silesia

Detached from Germany after WWII and returned to Poland, Lower Silesia (Dolny Śląsk) is fertile lowland country extending along the upper and middle course of the Odra River. Settled since Neolithic times and passed throughout history between Habsburg Austria, Poland, Bohemia, Prussia and other central European powers, it remains full of interesting old towns and villages. Architecture buffs will have a field day with the region's wide assortment of castles and churches, and Lower Silesia's larger towns have more than enough attractions to tempt those with entertainment on their minds.

Explore Lower Silesia

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Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Lower Silesia.

  • Castle

    Książ Castle

    This impossibly photogenic castle, the largest in Silesia, commands a thickly wooded prominence in Książ. Following the destruction of an earlier…

  • Museum

    Panorama of Racławice

    Wrocław’s pride and joy is this giant painting of the battle for Polish independence fought at Racławice on 4 April 1794, between the Polish army led by…

  • Church

    Church of Peace

    This magnificent building, the largest baroque timber church in Europe, was erected between 1656 and 1657 in just 10 months. The builders were not trying…

  • Public Art

    Wrocław Dwarves

    See if you can spot the tiny bronze statue of a dwarf resting on the ground, just to the west of the Hansel & Gretel houses. A few metres away you’ll spot…

  • Historic Building

    Old Town Hall

    This glorious Gothic edifice, Wrocław's quintessential photo opportunity, took shape over more than 200 years. The right-hand part of the eastern facade,…

  • Church

    Church of the Holy Name of Jesus

    Wrocław University's baroque-rococo church is arguably the most beautiful in the city. It was built by the Jesuits in the 1690s on the site of the former…

  • University

    University of Wrocław

    Established by the Jesuits in the early 18th century, the University of Wrocław's main edifice was built between 1728 and 1742. While it's very much a…

  • Cathedral

    Cathedral of St Mary Magdalene

    One block east of the Rynek is this mighty Gothic red-brick cathedral, dating to the 14th century. Its showpiece is a Romanesque portal from around 1280…

  • Museum

    National Museum

    Wrocław's National Museum is a treasure trove of fine art from across the ages. Medieval sculpture is displayed on the ground floor; exhibits include the…

  • Architecture

    Aula Leopoldinum

    On the first floor of the main building of the University of Wrocław, this ceremonial hall is Wrocław's most beautiful baroque interior, embellished with…

  • Sculpture

    The Anonymous Pedestrians

    Also known as Passage, this arresting sculpture depicts seven bronze pedestrians literally being swallowed by the pavement, only to re-emerge on the other…

  • Gardens

    Botanical Gardens

    Cathedral Island contains the city’s botanical gardens, a charming patch of greenery that's part of the University of Wrocław, serving educational and…

  • Nature Reserve

    Ślęża Landscape Park

    Some 34km southwest of Wrocław, the solitary forested cone of Mt Ślęża rises to 718m above the surrounding open plain. It was one of the holy places of an…

  • Museum

    Lubuski Regional Museum

    The regional museum houses a collection of Silesian religious art from the 14th to 18th centuries, a fascinating clock gallery and a permanent exhibition…

  • Church

    Church of SS Stanislaus and Wenceslas

    East of the Rynek, this massive Gothic stone building has a facade adorned with four elegant 15th-century doorways and an 18m-high window (the stained…

  • Museum

    Museum of Architecture

    Taking over both artefacts and premises from the former Silesian Museum of Artistic Crafts and Antiquities, the Museum of Architecture is located in a…

  • Square

    Rynek

    The Old Town’s market square contains a bit of every architectural style – from baroque to postwar concrete structures – the cumulative effect of…

  • Church

    Church of Our Lady on the Sand

    This lofty 14th-century building dominates the tiny islet known as Sand Island (Wyspa Piasek). Almost all the fittings were destroyed during WWII and the…

  • Historic Building

    Hansel & Gretel

    Set in the northwestern corner of the Rynek are two charming houses known locally as Jaś i Małgosia, better known to English and German speakers as Hansel…

  • Museum

    Museum of Bourgeois Art

    The main attraction here is the Gothic interior of the Old Town Hall (Stary Ratusz). Look for the Great Hall (Sala Wielka) on the 1st floor, with carved…

Top experiences

Whether it’s a guided tour of a historic landmark, private tasting of local delicacies, or an off-road adventure — explore the best experiences in Lower Silesia.

  • Activities