Słodowa Island (Malt Island), Wrocław

Słodowa Island is a small, green island in the Oder right next to the Old Town, where students sit on the grass on warm evenings and the riverside offers a view of the Baroque main building of the University of Wrocław. It looks like a place without a past, yet medieval mills, malt houses and tenements once stood here — and its open character today is the result of one of the most criticised decisions in post-war Wrocław.

History: from linen bleachers to students

The island was once called Vorderbleiche (Front Bleachery), after the linen bleachers' guild, and its current name — "Malt Island" — comes from the malt houses that operated here from the 15th century. As early as 1242 the Poor Clares built the first mill at the end of the canal, and in 1275 a second one was built by the Franciscans; both later became known as St Clare's Mills. Around 1807–1810, after the fortifications were removed, the islands passed to the city and were built up with tenements. During the siege of Wrocław (then Breslau) in 1945 almost all the buildings were destroyed, but the mills survived.

In 1975 army sappers blew up St Clare's Mills on the orders of the city president, Marian Czuliński. The decision provoked protests from cultural figures such as the writer Jerzy Waldorff — all the more so because communist Poland had declared 1975 the "Year of Heritage Protection". For a quarter of a century the land stood almost empty; in the late 20th century it was tidied up and riverside paths were laid out. In 2003 two footbridges opened: Słodowa Footbridge to the right bank of the Oder and Piaskowa Footbridge to Sand Island.

What to do

• Relax by the water — on the grass under the trees or on the embankment, looking out at the University and passing tour boats.
• Catch an event — the island hosts open-air concerts, workshops and performances.
• See Concordia Design — the only building on the island (Wyspa Słodowa 7) is an 1845 tenement remodelled to a concept by the Dutch firm MVRDV and Wrocław's Q2Studio. The historic façade was kept and a four-storey atrium created inside. On the roof, about 20 metres up, a public viewing terrace was designed with a green wall and views of the Market Square, the University and the Market Hall.

Did you know?

Since 1 August 2018 a city council resolution has exempted Słodowa Island from the ban on drinking alcohol in public places — which explains its reputation as the summer "living room" of Wrocław's students. A nearby hotel uses the address Wyspa Słodowa 10, although it actually stands on neighbouring Młyńska Island; the little street of that name runs across both islands.

Tripto tip

The island is open to all, free of charge, day and night. A stroll takes 20–30 minutes, a picnic as long as you like. With children, come in the daytime, as warm weekend evenings can get crowded and loud. From the Market Square it is about a 10-minute walk via Sand Island and Piaskowa Footbridge; you can also reach the island by Słodowa Footbridge from the right bank and by small bridges from Młyńska and Bielarska islands. Check whether the Concordia roof terrace is open before you go. Right next door are the Church of Our Lady on the Sand and Ostrów Tumski with the cathedral.