Day 75: Wrocław

JUNE 17 - Head to the east of the city today, across the Odra River to Szczytnicki Park on Tram 70. Starting to get even hotter today, part of a heat wave that may dog us for the next few days.

Hala Stulecia (the Centennial Hall), was built in 1911-12, to promote the 100th Anniversary of the defeat of Napoleon, and showcase the accomplishments of the Silesian region. Though the preferred material at the time for large structures was metal, this building was designed in free-standing concrete.

Apparently using just concrete with internal reinforcement was not a normal construction method, and there was concern it would not work.

An exhibit was placed here in 1948 to tout the ‘Polishness’ of the Silesian region, and with this the installment of the Iglica.

The Iglica is monument shaped like a needle, seen here with the Centennial Hall in the background.

There is a large fountain here, and as we sit they begin to synchronize the fountain with music.

Walking north from the fountain, we enter the extensive Szczytnicki Park, fairly densely forested. Spend some hours in here looking around.

Heading back to town center, we take a few hours to get some stuff at the pharmacy in the central mega-mall.

Somewhere in the bowels of this retrofuturistic building lies the bus station we arrived at a few days ago.

At a barber shop near our hostel, I spring for a 65 złoty haircut ($7) since it is right there, and I will need to get it done at some point anyway. Communicate with the barber in Russian. Dinner is ramen in the hostel kitchen.

Poland