Opole Trip: Venice on Młynówka, Piast Tower, Rynek

We arrived at the quaint railway station in Opole. It is located just 50 minutes away from Wroclaw by train. I recommend researching both the inside and outside surroundings of the railway station.

We started exploring the city by walking along the Młynówka River. It's really beautiful there, especially in spring when everything is blooming. You can relax by the river, ride a bike, or take a stroll. Along the way, you'll see the Green Bridge, which locals call Most Groszowy, and a popular café named «Grabówka», known for its pancakes. Across the bridge, you'll find Liberty Square. Here, you can sit and admire the views of the Holy Trinity Church and the bright fountain, which is said to symbolize a dancing butterfly according to the author's idea.

After a small pause in Liberty Square, we resumed our route on the other side of 'Most Groszowy' and moved on to the Piast Tower, the only surviving part of the Piast Castle. Nowadays, there is an observation deck atop it, offering views of Opole from 35 meters. Booking your visit online in advance is recommended. Near the Piast Tower, you'll find the free-to-visit Amphitheater and the Museum of Polish Song. We relaxed and admired the nearby pond before moving on to the local Venice, a part of Opole characterized by old, elegant buildings reflected in the water. You can explore this area from the other side of the river.

Our break for eating happened at Atelier Café - a charming spot for breakfast, a snack, or simply coffee and relaxation. It is located in a residential area, just a 10-minute walk from Opole's Venice on Młynowka.

After the tasty break, we returned to the center of Opole. On the road, we met the Cathedral of Holy Cross - the highest building in Opole. The towers each reach 76 meters. Near there is a tiny chapel hidden in the shadows of neighboring buildings - The St. Sebastian Church. It was built where the first victim of the epidemic plague.

In this part of Opole, there's a cozy coffee spot called «Pożegnanie z Afryką» with an impressive coffee menu.

We arrived at the market square in Opole, called 'Rynek.' This is the center of the city and a hub for local activities. The huge Town Hall was built based on the design of the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence. You can walk around it and explore the details of the market square. There is a red telephone booth with flowers inside and a beautiful fountain where you can drink water. You can also find photos and see how Opole has changed over the years.

If you find the red llama in the area, you will get an interesting view of the Town Hall.

Near the market square, we found the Gothic Church of the Holy Trinity. You can enter inside and visit the Crypt of the Opole Piasts. Near the Holy Trinity Church is the monument of Karol Musioł, who was the Chairman of the City Council in Opole.

Our attention was drawn to the mysterious Church on the Hill, officially called the Church of Our Lady of Sorrows and St. Adalbert. There are very beautiful views of the city, especially at sunset, from this church.

Near the Church on the hill, we found the University of Opole and its surrounding area, known as the university yard, with interesting monuments, greenery, and places to relax. Here is Artists' Square in Opole, which features many monuments of notable figures.

For example, the man and woman sitting opposite each other are Wojciech Młynarski and Agnieszka Osiecka, Polish poets. The man with glasses and a beard is Jerzy Marian Grotowski, a theatre director. You'll also find a magnificent statue of Święty Krzysztof here.

The last point to visit is the Opole Puppet Theatre, one of the oldest Polish puppet theatres. You can view it from the outside or attend one of the wonderful performances.