 The Racławice Panorama is one of the most important and popular attractions in Wrocław.
It is a busy place and visited by hundreds of people every day.
The painting by Jan Styka and Wojciech Kossak (with many assistants) was made between August 1893 and May 1894 to add splendor to the National Exhibition in Lvov (now in the Ukraine).
This immense painting (120 x 15 m) is also a combination of real 3D items in the foreground (contemporary vehicles, a wood, road, equipment etc.) and creates a 360 degree very realistic perspective of the battlefield at Racławice. The battle took place on 4 April, 1794.
The soldiers in the Kościuszko Uprising were mainly peasants armed with scythes, but such was their heroism that they defeated the Russian army. This was an important victory for the Polish nation which was being torn apart by her neighbours, Russia, Prussia and Austria.
This Uprising aroused hope for Polish independence but it in vain. A few months later (16. November 1974) it was crushed, its leader Kościuszko was imprisoned and Poland was divided between Russia, Austria and Prussia and disappeared from the map of Europe as an independent state for more than 120 years. Partially damaged during the bombing of WWII, the painting was moved from Lvov to Wrocław in 1946.
The theme of Polish independence and victory over the Russians connected with the painting (the war against Russia) was politically incorrect for the Polish Communist Party who were lackeys of the Soviet Union after WWII and for over 50 years the painting was hidden away. The restored painting was shown to the public for the first time on the 14th June 1985!
Panorama Racławicka, Purkyniego 11 St., tel. 071 344 16 61. The audio presentation takes 30 minutes.
Headphones with most international languages are available.
Open: TUE-SUN 09.00-18.00. Adult ticket 20 zł, reduced 15 zł.
TIP! The same ticket is valid for a visit to the National Museum in Wrocław located not far from the Panorama Racławicka in Powstańców Warszawy 5 Square.
Open 09.00-17.00 Tel. 071 343 88 30.
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