Landmarks

Stare Jatki in Wrocław

A few steps from the Wrocław market square, between Odrzańska and Kiełbaśnicza streets, stretches a narrow lane with medieval roots. Today Stare Jatki is a cobbled passage with galleries, cafés and a monument to animals, but for centuries it was the city's most important meat-trading quarter.

Butchers since 1242

The lane's history begins in 1242, when by order of Duke Bolesław Rogatka two rows of butcher shops were built here — 24 stalls on each side. The dispute over the stalls between the dukes and the burghers ended in 1261 in the city's favour, and the butchers formed their own guild. In 1375 the name Old Meat Benches was first recorded. In the 14th century wooden buildings gave way to brick townhouses closed with pointed-arch gates. Trade faded slowly: in 1898 meat was sold from only half of the stalls, and in 1939 the last two butchers worked here.

The monument and the galleries

After the war 12 townhouses survived, and reconstruction began in 1951. By the end of the 20th century artists had moved into the stalls — the first gallery opened in 1992 — and at the entrance from Odrzańska street the monument In Honour of Slaughtered Animals was erected: in 1997 a goose, a goat, a pig and a calf were placed there, a duck soon joined them, and the rooster and the rabbit arrived in the 21st century. Townhouses 1–2, the former guild seat, now house the Wrocław District Association of Fine Artists. The lane together with the neighbouring Malarska street is listed in the register of monuments, and since 1 August 2005 a dwarf named Rzeźnik (the Butcher) has lived here.

Tripto tip: slot Stare Jatki between the market square and the garrison church — the passage takes a quarter of an hour and combines easily with a walk through the Old Town.