Silesian Culture
Silesia (Slask) is a historical and ethnographic region in south-western Poland. Geographically, it encompasses the basin of the upper and middle Oder and partly of the upper Vistula. It is divided into Upper and Lower Silesia, which together account for 1/8 of Poland's area and are inhabited by about 1/4 of the country's population.
For centuries, this land was contested by Poles and Germans. As a result of the Second World War, which Germany lost, the entire region returned Poland. The Germans were evacuated and Silesia was resettled by a Polish population, mainly the Poles who lost their homes in eastern Poland when the border was shifted west and their areas were annexed by the Soviet Union. A difficult period in the region's history began: for many years its inhabitants felt uprooted and insecure about their future, while the intensive development of heavy industry implemented here eventually led to environmental disaster. It was not until 1989 that this situation could change, when the political transformation prompted environment-oriented projects focusing on the region. People have come to appreciate the legacy of the German past, and the dilapidated town centres are slowly regaining their former splendour. Tourist facilities are being developed and cross-border contacts restored.
Silesia boasts many beauty spots and scenic landscapes. Mountain lovers flock to the Sudetan and the Silesian Beskid Mountains. Those who value like the serenity of forests will be delighted by the vast Bory Dolnoslaskie (Lower Silesian Forests). And if you are into sightseeing, you can visit historic cities and towns like Wroclaw and Klodzko. The roads are good, with an efficient system of public transport and tourist infrastructure.
Wroclaw
Capital of Lower Silesia, the millennial city of Wroclaw is one of Poland's most beautiful municipalities, a challenge to Cracow and Gdansk for tourist attention. Situated on the Oder River and intersected by numerous canals, it has 12 islands and several times as many bridges. The city boasts the largest and most impressive complex of religious architecture in the mediaeval Gothic style, the strongest fortifications and the finest Gothic town hall in Poland. It is also a busy commercial, industrial, academic and cultural centre. Wroclaw is certainly a city worth seeing, if only for its links with the history of Silesia, the wealth of its splendid historic buildings, and many examples of successful modern architecture.
In 1000 AD Wroclaw became a Polish cathedral town and that's when the city's history began, eventful though not always auspicious. For centuries it was a place where the Polish, Czech, Austrian, German, Jewish and even Hungarian cultures and influences mixed together. The city grew around the crossroads of ancient trading routes, which affected its prosperity and shape. During the Second World War, converted by the Germans into a powerful fortress, it saw bitter fighting and suffered terrible destruction.
Rebuilding and restoration work was slow; the Communist authorities shamefully neglected this remarkable city, treating it as a backwater. Despite that, many old houses and other historic buildings survived, not only around the market-place, but also in more far-off districts. Here you can find real gems of old architecture tucked away among the post-war monuments of Socialist Realism.
After the collapse of Communism Wroclaw regained the favour of the authorities. Over the last few years, especially after the 1997 flood, the Old City has been thoroughly restored and now it is a delight for visitors. The historical centre of Wroclaw, notably its charming market-place, has turned into an attractive forum any European city would be proud of. Brightly painted houses, caf é s, clubs, pubs, restaurants, casinos, cabarets and outdoor events in summer provide countless types of urban entertainment. The most eye-catching building in the market-place is the town hall, rated among the finest examples of mediaeval architecture in Europe. Its cellars house the oldest bar in town, dating back to the 13th century (when it already sold beer).
But Wroclaw's Old City is not just the market-place. It also includes Ostrów Tumski, once an island and today perhaps the most charming part of the city, saved during the 1997 flood. This historic cradle of the city boasts many old churches (including the magnificent Cathedral regarded as a Gothic masterpiece) and lovely, quiet lanes. If you are looking for peace, you can visit the Botanical Garden, which prides itself on having Poland's biggest collection of water and mud plants. Also in this part of the city, one of the centres of the Earth's energy - the blue chakra of consciousness - is apparently lodged beneath one of the churches.