Wrocław is the main city in south-western Poland, situated on the River Oder (Polish: Odra). Wrocław is the former capital of Silesia and today, capital of Lower Silesian Voivodeship. Over the centuries, the city has been either part of Poland, Bohemia, Austria, Prussia or Germany. According to official population figures for June 2009, its population is 632,240, making it the fourth largest city in Poland.

The city's name was first recorded in the year 1000 by Thietmar's Latin chronicle called Thietmari Merseburgensis episcopi Chronicon as Wrotizlawa. The first municipal seal stated Sigillum civitatis Wratislavie. A simplified name is given, in 1175, as Wrezlaw, Prezla or Breslaw. The Czech spelling was used in Latin documents as Wratislavia or Vratislavia. At that time, Prezla was used in Middle High German, which became Preßlau. In the middle of the 14th century the Early New High German (and later New High German) form of the name Breslau began to replace its earlier versions.

The city is traditionally believed to be named after Wrocisław or Vratislav, often believed to be Duke Vratislaus I of Bohemia. It is also possible that the city was named after the tribal duke of the Silesians or after an early ruler of the city called Vratislav.

The city of Wrocław originated as a Bohemian stronghold at the intersection of two trade routes, the Via Regia and the Amber Road. The city was first recorded in the 10th century as Vratislavia, possibly derived from the name of a Bohemian duke Vratislav I. Its initial extent was limited to district of Ostrów Tumski.

During Wrocław's early history, its control changed hands between Bohemia (until 992, then 1038-1054), the Kingdom of Poland (992-1038 and 1054–1202), and, after the fragmentation of the Kingdom of Poland, the Piast-ruled duchy of Silesia. One of the most important events in those times was the foundation of the Diocese of Wrocław by the Polish Duke (from 1025 king) Bolesław the Brave in 1000, which, together with the Bishoprics of Kraków and Kołobrzeg, was placed under the Archbishopric of Gniezno in Greater Poland, founded by Otto III in 1000. In the first half of the 13th century Wrocław even became the political centre of the divided Polish kingdom.

The city became a commercial centre and expanded to Wyspa Piaskowa (Sand Island, German: Sandinsel), then to the left bank of the River Oder. Around 1000, the town had 1000 inhabitants. By 1139, a settlement belonging to Governor Piotr Włostowic (a.k.a Piotr Włast Dunin) was built, and another was founded on the left bank of the River Oder, near the present seat of the university. While the city was Polish, there were also communities of Bohemians, Jews, Walloons and Germans. The city was devastated in 1241 during the Mongol invasion of Europe. While the city was burned to force the Mongols to a quick withdrawal, most of the population probably survived.

Afterwards the town was partly populated by influx of German settlers, who would eventually become the dominant ethnic group in the following centuries, though the city remained multi-ethnic as an important trading city on the Via Regia and Amber Road. "Breslau", the Germanised name of the city, appeared for the first time in written records. The city council used Latin and German languages.
After the Mongol invasion, Breslau was expanded by adopting German town law. The expanded town was around 60 hectares in size and the new main market square (Rynek, German: Ring), which was covered with timber frame houses, became the new centre of the town. The original foundation, Ostrów Tumski, became the religious center. Breslau adopted Magdeburg rights in 1262 and, at the end of the 13th century joined the Hanseatic League. The Polish Piast dynasty remained in control of the region, but the city council's right to govern independently increased.

Wroclaw may be a relatively small blip on the European radar, especially when compared to the likes of Paris, Rome or Barcelona, but as holidaymakers are becoming more and more adventurous the many of charms of this small but sassy city are deservedly being discovered.

Even ardent locals won't try and tell you that 'the Venice of Poland' can match Italy's original version for sheer romance and beauty, but you don't need to be a Wroclawian to be swayed by the character of this little town... Wroclaw's Old Town alone boasts the second largest medieval market square in Europe (the first prize goes to Krakow), dozens of spectacular gothic churches, scores of bridges over scenic waterways, and plenty of lush parkland besides.

Now cross the river onto Wroclaw's picturesque islands and, apart from plenty of strolling opportunities, you will find some of city's most precious jewels. The Ostrow Tumski in particular is a real treasure chest and tourists are drawn to it like bees to honey to admire the stunning spires that pierce Wroclaw's skyline north of the river.

Meanwhile, if you're in Wroclaw for more than a couple of days, it's well worth venturing out East in search of hidden bounty. The Plac Grunwaldzki, again just across the Odra, isn't an obvious tourist attraction but hides a history of more prosperous times, whilst go that bit further and you will discover odd ball treasures such as the Centennial Hall (now UNESCO listed as one of the World's most important cultural sites!), Wroclaw's very own zoo and the charming Japanese Gardens. Or why not head right to the city limits and to the Olympic Stadium, built by Hitler for the 1936 Berlin Olympics?

Thanks to its colourful history Wroclaw can count both treasures left over from its time as the German city of Breslau, as well as important cultural legacies transported from the old Polish city of Lwow (now Lviv in modern day Ukraine). Most of Wroclaw's splendid architecture falls into the former category, but amongst the latter is the unique Panorama of Raclawice, considered by many Poles as the symbol of the city.

Of course you could be one of those hedonistic bunch who couldn't care less about the city's rich culture and troubled history. In which case step this way for top tips on hotels, eating out, drinking and nightlife.

Wroclaw has its own international airport on Strachowice (Wroclaw, ul Skarzynskiego 36), roughly 12km from the city centre. It's a bit smaller than those in other Polish cities, but functional nonetheless. It will be rebuilt soon as the new terminal is on the way! From here you can get to Warsaw, Alicante, Barcelona, Bolon, Burgas (from 2010.06.12), Bristol, Brussels, Cork, Doncaster Sheffield, Dortmund, Dublin, Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf Weeze, East Midlands, Eindhoven, Forli, Frankfurt Hahn, Frankfurt am Main, Glasgow, Liverpool, London, Malaga (from 2010.06.25), Milan, Munich, Oslo, Paris, Rome, Shannon. Many of these routes have been added recently courtesy of Ryanair, Wizzair and other budget airlines, and the chances are more hot destinations will follow.