Last updated on March 17th, 2026 at 04:47 pm
There is so much to see in the Polish city of Wroclaw, including for those who like things that are a little off the beaten track! I visited Wroclaw in December and found a city full of the weird and the wonderful.
Whilst I always spend time visiting the best known of a city’s attractions, I do like to find a few hidden gems and in Wroclaw I was not disappointed.
In this post I’ll share 10 alternative things to see in Wroclaw….and you’ll be pleased to discover that 8 of them will cost you nothing!
The Weird and The Wonderful – 10 Alternative Things to See
As you plan your itinerary for Wroclaw, be sure to include time to stop and see the following:
1. The Concrete Hand on Uniwersytecki Bridge
Location: Uniwersytecki Bridge
If this isn’t one of the weirdest things to see in Wroclaw, then I don’t know what is! The concrete hand is located at the northern end of Uniwersytecki Bridge on the left hand side as you cross from the city centre. The hand isn’t large so keep your eyes open!
I’ve no idea why it’s there or who’s responsible but I had to see it and so should you!
2. The Passage
Location: Świdnicka Street (at the intersection with Piłsudskiego Street)
The sculpture known as The Passage (and also known as the Monument to the Anonymous Passerby), depicts 14 people sinking into one side of Świdnicka Street and emerging on the other.
It was installed in December 2005 to coincide with the 24th anniversary of martial law in communist Poland. The symbolism of being driven underground and re-emerging is clear.
The prototype for the sculpture seen today was produced in Warsaw in 1977. In today’s version, the sculptor has retained the figures, their clothing and props but has given them individual features.
Time constraints and traffic kept me on one side of the road only, but trust me, more figures emerge on the other side of the street!
3. Your Face on a Cappuccino in the Selfie Café!
Location: Kużnicza Street (near the University)
I had to make a visit to the selfie café! Whilst selfies in themselves aren’t weird, having them on your cappuccino is! For 20 Polish Złoty (in this post expressed as “PLN”), I took a selfie in the café (forgetting to take off my woolly hat!), emailed it to the address provided and this was the result! The coffee was nice and it was a fun experience! A visit here is definitely one of the alternative things to do in Wroclaw!
4. Wroclaw’s Dwarfs
Location: All over Wroclaw!
Wroclaw is known for its dwarfs and it’s fun to go searching for them but be warned…there are over 1000 of the little characters!
The history of the dwarfs dates back to the 1980s when images of dwarfs began appearing on walls and buildings in the city. They were put there by members of the Orange Alternative, an anti-communist movement, as a protest against the Polish Peoples Republic during the time of martial law.
The first dwarf statue, Papa Dwarf, was installed on Świdnicka Street in 2001 to commemorate the Orange Alternative. The next five dwarfs appeared in 2005 and are much smaller than Papa Dwarf.
Make a stop at the Information Centre on the Market Square and purchase a map for 12 PLN showing the location of 100 of the dwarfs. Searching for Wroclaw’s dwarfs is certainly one of the alternative things to do in the city and definitely one that kids and adults alike will enjoy!
5. The Lamplighter on Cathedral Island
Location: Ostrów Tumski (Cathedral Island)
Every evening on Ostrów Tumski the lamplighter emerges to light the gas street lamps in a throwback to a bygone era. In the past, lamplighters would ignite the gas lamps in the street and extinguish them again in the morning. Over time, gas was replaced by electricity, however on Ostrów Tumski over 100 gas lamps remain.
The lamplighter is easy to identify – he’s dressed in a top hat and cape (under which I believe he has a butane tank!) and carries a large pole which he uses to ignite the lamps. He moves fairly quickly and will likely have a group of tourists following him!
Here are a few tips to ensure you get to experience this magical event:
- I saw him close to the back of the Cathedral and not the front as I had expected, so I would suggest being in that general area to make sure you see him
- there is a lamp lighting schedule so do look it up beforehand, however he was there at around 3.50pm when I was expecting him after 4pm so get there early in any event
- be aware that the streets are cobbled so be careful of your footing as you follow along
- check your shoe laces are tied tightly before you set off. One of mine came undone as he was heading off to the next lamp…of course!
Such an unusual event makes this a must see when visiting Wroclaw.
6. World War II Bullet Holes
Location: plac Uniwersytecki
Located in the walls of a church next to the University, you can’t help but see these bullet holes. I was told it was an execution wall and, given its location within a small street with the wall of another building directly opposite, I can believe it!
Wroclaw was, however, once a German city known as Breslau and during WWII it was made a fortress by the Nazis to be held at all costs. The Battle of Breslau saw the city encircled by the Soviets. The siege lasted 3 months and ended with the German surrender in May 1945. It could be that the holes were as a result of that fighting.
Whatever the circumstances that led to them, the presence of these bullet holes is a reminder of the dark days that once enveloped not just Wroclaw, but Europe generally. I think these bullet holes are very much one of the alternative things to see in Wroclaw!
7. Panorama Raclawicka
Location: 11 J. E. Purkyniego St.
Panorama Racławicka is a huge cycloramic painting depicting the Battle of Racławicka which was fought on 4 April 1794, one of the first battles in the Polish-Lithuanian uprising against Russia. The painting itself was completed a century later in 1894 and it’s very impressive!
A cycloramic painting is one contained within a cylindrical platform which allows viewers a 360 degree view of the scene. I’ve only ever seen one of these before and that was in Gettysburg in the USA. The Gettysburg Cyclorama depicts the Battle of Gettysburg during the American Civil War in 1863.
Tickets to see the Panorama Racławicka cost 50 PLN and entry is timed. Be sure to obtain an audio guide in your language once you are inside the theatre. Check the official Panorama Racławicka website for up to date visitor information including as to opening times (which are seasonal).
This huge cycloramic painting is definitely one of the wonderful things to see in Wroclaw!
8. The Monument to Slaughtered Animals
Location: Stare Jatki
The Monument to Slaughtered Animals is located in the old meat market and is a bronze tribute to the many animals who have been slaughtered in this area since the 1240s. The butchers trade existed in this area for a long time before moving elsewhere in the mid-18th century.
The monument was erected in 1997 and originally consisted of a goose (with egg), two pigs, a rabbit, a rooster and a goat. Each of these statues was created by a different artist. In 2017, the sculptures were joined by a calf.
In addition to the monument, the street is also home to various art and design stores. At one end, you will also find the obligatory Wroclaw dwarf in the form of…a butcher, of course!
9. The Old City Prison
Location: Więzienna Street (at the intersection with Nożownicza)
The Old City Prison was built in the mid-14th century making it one of the oldest buildings in the city. The main cells were located in the cellars where people of low status and very dangerous criminals were kept. The eastern part of the prison housed basements where it’s believed interrogations took place.
The building ceased use as a prison however in the late 18th/early 19th century.
Look out for the little jailed dwarf in the street!
10. Neon Side Gallery
Location: 46C Ruska
The Neon Side Gallery is located in a courtyard at the end of an alley off Ruska. I believe it’s accessible from the opposite direction too, however I did not walk beyond the courtyard.
The sides of the buildings in the courtyard are covered with Soviet era neon signs and the walls in the area have been decorated with some interesting street art.
Be sure to stop by in the evening once it’s dark. I visited in the December so it was getting dark around 4pm however the lights were not on then. When I went back around 6.15pm, they were.
What else is there to see in Wroclaw?
There is a great deal to see and do in Wroclaw! Be sure to read my post 14 of the Best Things to Do in Wroclaw for a great list of options.
If you are interested in organised activities, from day trips to walks, food to bus tours, then check out all available options here:
Final Thoughts
Wroclaw is a perfect city break destination with something for everyone, including those who like to have a few alternative things to see on their itinerary! From statutes to selfies, Wroclaw does not disappoint with this eclectic selection of alternative sights to see.
If you need further help in planning your trip to Wroclaw, or any other trip for that matter, do read my post 14 of the Best Things to Do in Wroclaw and check my Resources page.
If you’re interested in visiting elsewhere in Poland, then do check out the blog posts on my Poland page.
Disclaimer – Information correct at the time of writing but do check before visiting.
Disclosure – This post may contain affiliate links. That means that if you book something using them, I will earn a small commission but you will not pay anything extra. Thank you for supporting my blog.
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