Wrocław
Wrocław | |
|---|---|
|
Brandmark | |
| Motto: Wrocław – miasto spotkań (Polish for 'Wrocław – The Meeting Place') | |
Wrocław | |
| Coordinates: 51°06′36″N 17°01′57″E / 51.11000°N 17.03250°E | |
| Country | Poland |
| Voivodeship | Lower Silesian |
| County | City county |
| Established | 10th century |
| City rights | 1214 |
| City Hall | New City Hall |
| Districts | 48 districts |
| Government | |
| • Body | Wrocław City Council |
| • City mayor | Jacek Sutryk (Ind.) |
| Area | |
| 292.81 km2 (113.05 sq mi) | |
| • Metro | 3,627 km2 (1,400 sq mi) |
| Highest elevation | 155 m (509 ft) |
| Lowest elevation | 105 m (344 ft) |
| Population (30 June 2025) | |
| 672,545 (3rd) | |
| • Density | 2,297/km2 (5,950/sq mi) |
| • Metro | 1,250,000 |
| • Metro density | 345/km2 (893/sq mi) |
| Demonym(s) | Wrocławian, Vratislavian (en) Wrocławianin (male) (pl) Wrocławianka (female) (pl) |
| GDP | |
| • Metro | €31 309 billion (2022) |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
| Postal code | 50-041 to 54–612 |
| Area code | +48 71 |
| Car plates | DW, DX, VW, VX |
| Primary airport | Wrocław Airport |
| Website | www |
| Official name | Historic city center - Ostrów Tumski, Old Town |
| Designated | 1994-09-08 |
| Reference no. | M.P., 1994, vol. 50, No. 425 |
Wrocław (Polish: [ˈvrɔt͡swaf] ⓘ; German: Breslau [ˈbʁɛslaʊ] ⓘ; also known by other names) is a city in southwestern Poland, and the capital of the Lower Silesian Voivodeship. It is the largest city and historical capital of the region of Silesia. It lies on the banks of the Oder (Odra) River in the Silesian Lowlands. In 2025, the official population of Wrocław was 672,545, making it the third-largest city in Poland. The population of the Wrocław metropolitan area is around 1.25 million.
Wrocław is the historical capital of Silesia and Lower Silesia. The history of the city dates back over 1,000 years; throughout history it has been part of, chronologically: the Duchy of Poland, the Kingdom of Poland, the Duchy of Silesia, the Kingdom of Bohemia, the Habsburg monarchy of Austria, the Kingdom of Prussia and Germany, until it became again part of Poland in 1945 immediately after World War II.
Wrocław is a university city with a student population of over 130,000, making it one of the most youth-oriented cities in the country. Wrocław has numerous historical landmarks, including the Main Market Square, Cathedral Island, Bridge of Love, Wrocław Opera, the National Museum and the Centennial Hall, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Wrocław's dwarfs are a major tourist attraction and have become a symbol of Wrocław. The city is home to the Wrocław Zoo, the oldest zoological garden in Poland.
Wrocław is classified as a Sufficiency global city by GaWC. It was ranked 1st among all medium and small cities in the 2021 European Cities and Regions of the Future ranking by fDi Intelligence. The city is home to Śląsk Wrocław football club and hosted the 2012 European Football Championship. In 2016, the city was a European Capital of Culture and the World Book Capital, and hosted the Theatre Olympics and the European Film Awards. In 2017, the city was host to the World Games. In 2019, it was named a UNESCO City of Literature.