The Topographical-historical Chronicle of Wrocław
Wrocław/Breslau Then and Now. Selected historical images matched with contemporary views.
By Ossoliński National Institute
Żaklina Szynkiewicz( Book Storage and Circulation Department of the Ossoliński National Institute)
The topographical-historical chronicle of Breslau written by Karl Adolf Menzl (1784–1855) is a pioneering work in Silesian historiography, devoted to the history of Breslau from medieval times to the early 19th century.
"Topographische Chronik von Breslau: mit vier Kupfern und einer Vignette. Erstes Quartal" Title pageOssoliński National Institute
It was published from 1805 to 1807
It was divided into nine parts containing separate tables of contents. On the last pages of the Chronicle, the author included a very long list of subscribers, whose contributions made publication possible.
The work is decorated with several dozen copperplate engravings
showing monuments and richly detailed views of the city from the author's times, historical events, as well as images of characters. The author of the illustration is Friedrich Gottlob Endler (1763-1822) - a copperplate engraver and architect from Wrocław.
"Topographische Chronik von Breslau: mit vier Kupfern und einer Vignette. Erstes Quartal" Mikołajska GateOssoliński National Institute
The copperplate depicts the Nicholas Gate (Brama Mikołajska)
before later structural changes and partial demolition. During the Napoleonic Wars (1806), it was heavily damaged during the siege of the city.
When the French ordered the dismantling of the city’s fortifications, the Nicholas Gate was among the first structures to be demolished. But after protests from the townspeople the demolition was halted.
The present John Paul II Square (2022-09-07) by Andrzej NiedźwiedzkiOssoliński National Institute
Still, with the removal of the walls the city started to expand rapidly,
while its growing transport needs made the dismantling of the Nicholas Gate a necessity. It was finally demolished between 1817 and 1820.
15th-century elements from the gate’s façade were built into the Church of St. Joseph in Ołbin district of Breslau. Where Nicolas Gate once stood, there is now a pedestrian subway under Jan Paweł II Square.
The copper engraving depicts the tomb monument of Friedrich Bogislav von Tauentzien, the chief of defence of Breslau during the Seven Years’ War (1784-1791) and commander of the city. It was founded in 1795 on the initiative of the general’s son and designed by Carl Gotthard Langhans. The sarcophagus with a coffin containing the general’s remains was placed on the pedestal. The tombstone was crowned by the figure of Bellona, the Roman goddess of war.
The monument was pulled down in 1945. In March 1946 it was replaced by a memorial stone commemorating the Fighters for National and Social Liberation. Today, this small area is called Solidarności Walczącej Square.
"Topographische Chronik von Breslau: mit vier Kupfern und einer Vignette. Erstes Quartal" Piaskowa Gate in 1730Ossoliński National Institute
The engraving shows a view of the Sand Gate (Brama Piaskowa), also known as the Gate of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The structure dates from the turn of the 14th century and was considerably rebuilt in the 16th century, probably to the state depicted in the illustration.
It was located on the main road leading north across the Sand Bridge. It was adjoined by a customs house, a guardhouse and the Sand Bridge Arsenal. Most of the buildings were demolished during the Napoleonic Wars, while the guardhouse was demolished in the early 19th century.
Intersection of Piaskowa Street with Grodzka and Świętego Ducha Streets (2022-09-08) by Andrzej NiedźwiedzkiOssoliński National Institute
The gate was located at the present intersection of Piaskowa Street with Grodzka Street and Św. Ducha Street.
"Topographische Chronik von Breslau: mit vier Kupfern und einer Vignette. Erstes Quartal" St Dorothy's Monastery and Church with part of the Swidnica Gate visible in the backgroungOssoliński National Institute
St Dorothy’s monastery and church in 1730, after it was reconstructed in the Baroque style and adjoined by a residential building.
The wooden buckets standing against the wall were used for fire protection. On the left is the now defunct Świdnicka Gate, next to it the “Three Kings” house, demolished around 1890 during the reconstruction of Świdnicka Street.
Part of Świdnicka Street with the Monopol Hotel and St Dorothy's Church (2022-09-13) by Andrzej NiedźwiedzkiOssoliński National Institute
Today, the monastery buildings and the “Three Kings” house are replaced by the “Monopol” hotel, while the outline of the gate is obsevable in the roadway.
"Topographische Chronik von Breslau: mit vier Kupfern und einer Vignette. Erstes Quartal" St John the Baptist Archcathedral. Cathedral SquareOssoliński National Institute
The Cathedral of St John the Baptist was built in the Gothic style on the site where smaller churches had previously stood.
According to historians, the current building is the fourth and was built at the turn of the 14th century. Over the centuries, the cathedral has been rebuilt and extended several times.
During the siege of Festung Breslau, in the spring of 1945, the church was destroyed in 70%.
Reconstruction continued until 1951, but new helmets on the towers did not appear until the 1990s.
In front of the cathedral is a statue of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception with Child, believed to be the oldest surviving monument in Wrocław. The sculpture was created in 1649 and despite the massive war damage suffered by the cathedral, the statue has survived to this day.
"Topographische Chronik von Breslau: mit vier Kupfern und einer Vignette. Erstes Quartal" View of Solny Square in 1730Ossoliński National Institute
The engraving depicts Solny Square with its stalls. For centuries, it served as a marketplace. Leather and honey were sold there, but above all salt, imported from Wieliczka and Bochnia, which is why it was named Salzring or Salzplatz.
On 26 August 1827, the square was renamed Blücherplatz. A monument to the hero of the Battle of the Katzbach, Gebhard von Blücher, was then unveiled here. After the Second World War, the old name was restored. The contemporary view shows Solny Square from the perspective of the passage from the Main Market Square.
"Topographische Chronik von Breslau: mit vier Kupfern und einer Vignette. Erstes Quartal" View of the market square towards Oławska StreetOssoliński National Institute
View of the southern frontage of the Market Square towards today's ul. Oławska. In the foreground there are numerous stalls set up along the Fish Market. In the lower left corner you can see the aquarium, to the right of it the so-called “loony’s cage”.
The cage was placed in 1575 in the place where the Aleksander Fredro monument stands today. To the delight of the inhabitants, drunkards and troublemakers who disturbed order and, above all, the silence at night were locked there.
From then on, the cage was known as the “loony’s cage”.
Wrocław Market Square with the Town Hall (2022-09-10) by Andrzej NiedźwiedzkiOssoliński National Institute
The current buildings on the southern frontage of the Market Square were mostly reconstructed during the post-war period (1952-1960).
The Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary on the Sand shown when lightning strikes the baroque cupola on the tower. As a result of this incident (28 or 30 January 1730), a fire broke out and the church’s cupola, roof and part of the vault were destroyed. The cupola was not reconstructed.
The present structure was erected between 1334 and 1425 and was partially destroyed in 1945 and rebuilt between 1947 and 1965.
The coat of arms of Wrocław
The coat of arms was granted to the city in 1530 by Ferdinand I of Habsburg. It remained in force until 1938, when it was changed by the Nazis. After the war, a coat of arms designed by Karol Maleczyński was used. In June 1990, the City Council restored the original imperial coat of arms.
One of the oldest preserved coats of arms (from 1536) can be found on the western wall of the town hall tower, under the clock.
