Wroclaw is called Breslau in German. This name was used officially until the end of World War II, when the city, formerly a major German industrial and administrative hub, was transferred to Poland. The city is still frequently referred to as Breslau in German-speaking contexts today.
Wrocław (German: Breslau) has long been the largest and culturally dominant city in Silesia, and is today the capital of Poland's Lower Silesian Voivodeship, and the country's third most populous city proper.
Wrocław is definitively a Polish city now, but it has a deep and complex German history (as Breslau) that profoundly shaped its architecture, culture, and identity, with Poles resettled there after WWII creating a new Polish identity on German foundations, and the city today actively embracing both its Polish present and German past.
Wroclaw is generally considered a safe city, both during the day and at night. Like many European cities, petty crime such as pickpocketing can happen, particularly in crowded tourist areas, but violent crime is relatively rare.
Polish or German? The Untold Story of Wroclaw’s Identity
Do people in Wrocław speak German?
The official language spoken is Polish, yet the citizens of Wrocław communicate in English, German or Russian respectively, with 98% of students speaking English. Growing numbers of international citizens are choosing Wrocław as their place to be.
Which city is closest to Auschwitz Birkenau? The closest city to Auschwitz Birkenau is Kraków, about 50 km (31 miles) to the southeast. Kraków is one of the oldest and most lively cities in Poland and is the main hub for visitors to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum.
Name of Poland was establish during rule of the second known ruler Bolesław the Brave (992-1025). "Polska", "Rzeczpospolita", "Korona" were all used simultaneously. Poland (Polska) could mean either the Crown (Korona) or the whole Commonwealth (Rzeczpospolita) depending on the context.
It's beautiful without being overly touristy, vibrant yet relaxing, and rich in cultural attractions. Whether you're a history buff, a food lover, a family traveler, or someone who enjoys discovering local gems, Wrocław will leave an impression long after you leave.
The registered German minority in Poland (Polish: Mniejszość niemiecka w Polsce; German: Deutsche Minderheit in Polen) is a group of German people that inhabit Poland, being the largest minority of the country. As of 2021, it had a population of 144,177.
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.
In Krakow, for its history, the first of the cheapest cities in Europe. The most beautiful city in Poland, they say. Its historic centre is even a Unesco World Heritage Site.
The tourist hotspot of Kraków in southern Poland has topped a ranking of the world's cleanest cities. According to Radical Storage, a global luggage storage service, 98.5% of cleanliness-related reviews posted between October 2024 and November 2025 were positive about Kraków's tidiness.
Wroclaw is also a university city, which makes it one of the most “youth-oriented” cities in all of Poland. And you also will have no problem finding people in Wroclaw who speak English, so no need to worry about that.
In the decades that followed the majority of the inhabitants of the Ruhr of Polish descent became Germanised, and what remained were the surnames along with other traces of a Polish presence. The process of Germanisation also took place in the eastern Prussian provinces, where the Polish inhabitants were indigenous.
The European Crime Index for 2020 in a survey of 40 countries, shows Poland ranks towards the top in 13th position (71.5) of the safety index compared to the UK which is 33rd towards the least safe (56.3). For comparison, the safest countries are Slovenia (78.9) and Switzerland (78.4).
The geography, climate and numerous reservoirs in Wrocław, Poland's third largest city, create ideal conditions for mosquito breeding, which the authorities already attempt to combat using environmentally friendly sprays.
