Wrocław's Dwarfs: A City's Charm
Explore the whimsical world of Wrocław's 600 miniature figurines, each with a unique story to tell.
The Sisyphus dwarfs by Michał SiarekCity Museum of Wrocław
Miniature sculptures
Miniature sculptures of dwarves have been appearing on Wrocław’s streets and squares successively since 2001. There are almost 1000 of them and the number is constantly growing!
Orange Alternative Monument (Papa Dwarf, Dwarf Major) by Michał SiarekCity Museum of Wrocław
The Origins
They originate from dwarves painted on the walls of buildings in the 1980s as part of happenings organized by the anti-communist movement called the Orange Alternative. It was created by students from Wrocław, and its aim was to ridicule the communist system in a peaceful way.
The Pigeon Gnome by Michał SiarekCity Museum of Wrocław
In the course of the organized actions, its participants put on orange hats, resembling those worn by fairy-tale dwarves. These are the origins of the Wrocław’s dwarves, which have become a symbol of the city.
Papa Dwarf
He appeared on the 1st of June 2001 at Świdnicka Street as a monument to the Orange Alternative, a socio-artistic happening movement of the 1980s. The happenings often took the form of peaceful demonstrations, ridiculing the communist system.
Orange Alternative Monument (Papa Dwarf, Dwarf Major) by Michał SiarekCity Museum of Wrocław
They were also held in other cities: Warsaw, Łódź and Lublin. The leader of the Movement in Wrocław was Waldemar Frydrych known as “Major”.
WrocLovek
It is no coincidence that he stands in the corner of the Market Square next to a historic building, the former home of the altar caretakers – altarists, and now the seat of the Society of Wrocław Lovers. The dwarf is the epitome of a true lover of Wrocław.
WrocLovek by Michał SiarekCity Museum of Wrocław
Holding a heart with the city’s coat of arms engraved on it, he encourages passers-by to discover interesting corners and the history of the city.
Chop-Chop
He is one of two dwarves guarding the historic Tumski Bridge, known as the “Lovers’ Bridge”, which connects Sand Island with Ostrów Tumski (Cathedral Island).
Gnome with a Padlock: close-up by Michał Siarek and Chop-Chop (Rachciach) (Whambam)City Museum of Wrocław
Due to an excessive number of padlocks hung on it by lovers, the 19th-century monument was in danger of being severely damaged. The dwarf quickly dealt with the padlocks, and the city provided a WROClovka bench for lovers near the bridge on Włostowica Boulevard.
Festivalius
Festivalius is an artistically gifted dwarf. You can find him in the Staromiejski (Old Town) Park next to the Wrocław Puppet Theatre on Teatralna Street.
Festivalius by Michał SiarekCity Museum of Wrocław
His name refers to the 10th Wrocław Dwarf Festival, a large cultural and artistic event that usually lasts three days. Entire families take part in it. Every year, the Festival opens with the Great Parade of Dwarves, a colourful procession travelling through the city streets.
ODDGuy
On the promenade of the Staromiejski (Old Town) Park, near the Nicolaus Copernicus monument, there is a mysterious dwarf holding a chain consisting of three links in his hands. They constitute the Logo of the international organization INDEPENDENT ORDER of ODD FELLOWS
ODDGuy (2023) by Agata WieczorowskaCity Museum of Wrocław
The Brotherly Help Association with the headquarters of the Polish branch at 3 Kołłątaja Street, whose activities are charitable. The ODDGuy’s name directly refers to the activities of the Brotherhood.
Great Dwarf Orchestra
In the heart of the city, at 1 Wolności Square, the modern shape of the National Forum of Music building catches the eye. It is one of the largest concert venues in Central Europe, attracting many musicians and music lovers from all over the world.
Great Dwarf Orchestra by Michał SiarekCity Museum of Wrocław
In 2023, the NFM was awarded the INTERNATIONAL CLASSICAL MUSIC AWARD for special achievements. Various musical events are held here: Wratislavia Cantans, Jazztopad Festival, Musica Polonica Nova, Forum Musicum.
The outstandingly talented dwarves, musicians of the Wrocław Philharmonic, could not be missing here. Every day, the orchestra of dwarves gives a quiet concert in the open air to the delight of residents and tourists.
Confectioner
He can be found at the corner of Market Square and Solny Square, in front of the entrance to the sweet land. The Confectioner Dwarf invites passers-by to taste the sweet products.
Confectioner (2023) by Agata WieczorowskaCity Museum of Wrocław
This is an unusual sweet shop, where a sweet aroma in the air and the colours of the treats turn the place into a fairytale world, a real paradise for lovers of sweets.
Sisyphuses
These are the most popular dwarves, the third ones to appear in Wrocław, and they can be found in the vicinity of the Market Square, on Świdnicka promenade, a popular leisure destination for tourists and residents.
The Sisyphus dwarfs by Michał SiarekCity Museum of Wrocław
These two twin dwarves have one task, which is to roll a granite sphere to a designated point. This is a symbolic demonstration of strength, commitment and perseverance in pursuit of a goal.
Pigeon Fancier
He is an admirer of the most numerous bird population in Wrocław, which is, of course, the pigeons. The Market Square, a former marketplace, is also known as Pigeon Square, where you can meet whole flocks of them looking out for crumbs from the nearby café gardens.
Pigeon Fancier by Michał SiarekCity Museum of Wrocław
Pigeon Fancier watches over them all from the windowsill of the 19th century building of the Mini Brewery and Restaurant "Spiż".
Withdrawler
He is a regular visitor to the Dwarf Branch of Santander Bank Polska, located on the Market Square in Wrocław. He encourages the use of modern equipment – ATMs. Furthermore, he can even give a quick training in the use of this device.
Withdrawler (2023) by Agata WieczorowskaCity Museum of Wrocław
In between withdrawals, he loves to take a ride in the only "Paternoster" lift in Wrocław, which is located in the Santander Bank building, built in the 1930s.
Rowing Crew
The coxed rowing eight of the Wrocław’s Dwarves has been continuously training for the annual International University Odra River Cup at the Boulevard of the Wrocław University of Science and Technology. Since 2016, the Boulevard space has become a popular place for recreation an
Franky Boozehound
A cheerful, boisterous taster of all kinds of tasty liquors, he is a frequent visitor to “Piwnica Świdnicka” (“Świdnicka Cellar”), the oldest still existing inn in Europe located in the very heart of the city.
Franky Boozehound by Michał SiarekCity Museum of Wrocław
Within the Gothic walls of the Old Town Hall, the wide open gate of the inn, now a restaurant and brewery, encourages passers-by to taste their drinks and warm food. In 2023, “Piwnica Świdnicka” celebrated its 750th anniversary. This is the moment to raise a special toast!
Bitty and Admirer
Among the historic tenement houses, on the eastern side of Wrocław’s Market Square, you can meet a charming couple of Dwarves. He is of small stature and with a big heart beating for his beloved.
Bitty and Admirer by Michał SiarekCity Museum of Wrocław
She is full of passion, lovingly peering through the lens of her camera at her admirer.
Perhaps some frames of Bitty’s or other passers-by’s cameras will reveal a secret of one of the sixty tenement houses in Wrocław’s Market Square. Some of them are shrouded in interesting legends.
Diguś
Diguś is an extremely busy dwarf-entrepreneur who runs his own business. He commemorates the 30th anniversary of the Lower Silesian Chamber of Commerce (Dolnośląska Izba Gospodarcza – DIG), an association of entrepreneurs whose mission is to connect and support business.
Digus (2023) by Agata WieczorowskaCity Museum of Wrocław
The DIG is located in a historic, Art Nouveau building on Świdnicka Street. Our little businessman Diguś, who is always on the phone, symbolizes the strength and dynamics of Lower Silesian business.
Artistic gnome: close-up by Michał SiarekCity Museum of Wrocław
See you!
... in Wrocław and at the Wrocław Dwarf Festival!
Anna Priebe-Haglauer, Iza Janicka
You are all set!
Your first Culture Weekly will arrive this week.