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Self Guided Wroclaw Walk: Legends and Landmarks
4.72
( 78 reviews )
$6.99
Discover Wrocław’s vibrant history, colorful architecture, and hidden stories on a self-guided walking tour.
Highlights
Discover the the most famous spots in the old town like the Old Town hall, Hansel and Gretel buildings and the University where Nobel Prize minds once studied
Find out how the dwarf statues originated and became so famous and why there are so many bridges in Wroclaw
Hear both real stories and folk tales and legends ranging from witches to phantoms and dumplings to bears
Preview Stop
Cathedral Island & the Lamp Lighter
00:00 / 01:04
Welcome to Ostrów Tumski, the cradle of Wrocław. This peaceful quarter, with its cobbled lanes and cluster of church spires, feels like a separate village frozen in time. And in a way, it is. Ostrów Tumski was the site of the original settlement of Wrocław over a thousand years ago, essentially where the city began. Around the year One thousand, a fortress and the first church were established here by Poland’s first rulers Because the island, back then completely surrounded by the Oder’s branches, was easily defensible and near trade routes, it became the ideal power base. Over the centuries, Ostrów Tumski also became a spiritual center – the domain of bishops and clergy. It remained under church jurisdiction until the early nineteenth century, separate from the city government across the river. That is why you see so many religious buildings packed in this small area: not just the Cathedral, but also churches, canonry houses, the Archbishop’s Palace and so on. Walking these streets, you tread on truly ancient stones as archaeologists have found remnants of a tenth-century church and even older Slavic settlements beneath. As you walk, take a moment to notice the gas lanterns along the streets. These are real gas lamps, and this is the only place where you will find a quaint nineteenth-century tradition being kept alive. Every evening at dusk a lamplighter walks by to manually light each one of these lamps, about 103 lamps in total. Dressed in a black cape and top hat, carrying a long pole, he is one of Wrocław’s most beloved sights. If you’re here at the right time just before dusk, you might catch him igniting the lamps with a small flame on his pole tip, making a soft pop as each lamp flickers to life. He typically starts near the cathedral we will see on our next stop and he takes almost an hour to light all the lamps on the island. Tourists often follow him quietly as he moves from lamp to lamp and it’s like a little ceremonial dance but he can’t stop to take photos or talk. In the morning, he returns to snuff them out but I must admit I’m not much of an early riser and have never witnessed that myself. This tradition has survived modernity simply because Ostrów Tumski values its ambiance and history so much. I think the only other place in Europe where this tradition continues is Zagreb so it is very unique. There are many unique spots you can visit on cathedral island if you have the time. I won't be making stops on this tour but I will list them out for you so you can decide to visit if they are of interest to you. One is the Archdiocesan Museum, home to religious art treasures like the twelfth-century Book of Henryków which contains the first sentence ever written in Polish. Another interesting building is the Archbishop’s Palace where Pope John Paul the second would stay when visiting. As we walk, let’s stop in front of the twin-spired giant ahead. That’s the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist, the highlight of Ostrów Tumski.
About this activity
Free Cancellation
Cancel up to 2 hours in advance for a full refund
Valid 365 days
Tour is valid for 1 year and can be used multiple times
Language Options
English | French | German | Spanish | Italian | Dutch | Polish | Russian | Portuguese
Duration
1 hour and 30 minutes
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Itinerary
Market Square
Step into the heart of Wrocław to discover tales of dwarfs, ordinary people, a centuries old restaurant and more
John and Margaret House
Meet “Hansel and Gretel,” the storybook pair guarding St. Elizabeth’s Church.
St Elizabeth of Hungary Roman Catholic Church
Gaze up at one of the city’s tallest Gothic towers before hearing of its phantom legend.
Slaughtered Animals Monument
Admire a unique bronze tribute to Wrocław’s medieval butchers.
Wroclaw University
Stand before a Baroque masterpiece that shaped Nobel minds and student pranks alike.
Bar mleczny Miś
Hear about traditional milk bars and the amazing story of Wojtek the Soldier Bear.
St. Mary Magdalene Church
Hear the legend of the penitent bridge
Ostrow Tumski - (Cathedral Island)
Hear about the numerous bridges and an ancient tradition that is still kept alive by the city
Wrocław Cathedral
End your walk near this Gothic splendour on Cathedral Island.
Full Description
Explore the best of Wrocław — the city of bridges, dwarfs, and stories — on this self-guided walking tour that brings its legends and landmarks to life. Start near the Old Town Square surrounded by Gothic façades and end your walk amid the calm of Cathedral Island which still preserves its old traditions. Along the way you’ll hear legends of witches, a dumpling turned to stone and a bear who became a war hero. This tour offers the perfect mix of history, folk tales, and discovery — all of which you can explore at your own pace. It is perfect for first time visitors to the city who want to cover the essentials of the old town and cathedral island.
Important Information
Instructions with link to app and how to access the tour will be sent to your email post checkout
You can gain instant access to the tour by downloading the app and buying the tour on the app
Frequently asked questions
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