GROW WITH SARAH GRACE

I have been fortunate enough to see so many new places on this trip and they all are special to me in their own unique way but one trip I took recently, is a trip I have been wanting to take for years. It means the world to me that I was able to see a part of Poland. 

I know with all that is happening in the world right now, this was a hard trip to get my parents and friends on board but after switching some plans around and finding a more Western city near Germany, I was able to go for one night. 

Now a little backstory, I started dancing for the local Polish club in my hometown at the age of five and did it up until I was around 14/15 as my obligations with high school grew more persistent and I didn’t have time to practice with the group anymore. Having spent nearly half of my life representing the country at the Dayton World A’ Fair, I was so grateful to get to see the country with my own eyes. 

Since I have some Polish in me, I wanted to buy so many gifts for myself, my Babci and my family on this trip. Something I found refreshingly surprising is how cheap Poland is. For starters, I ordered a vegan burger (that in America starts at around $9-11), fries, milkshake and sauces (that cost money to get extra) and the total was only around $5. 

This was a dangerous thing when it came to souvenirs. I bought plenty of things that will find a home but in the words of my mom, it is probably on the “too much, how are you going to pack all this?” side. But it’s worth it! Here is a complete list of the best stores and items to buy on your trip to Wroclaw, Poland.

ITEMS:

Here is a quick list of the seven items you should look into getting in Wroclaw, or Poland in general. 

(1) Amber Jewelry: This item was hard for me to find at the souvenir shops but can be found at most jewelry stores and even in the duty-free stores at airports. Baltic Amber is a gem found in the Baltic Sea region which includes the coastal areas of Poland. This item is a great way to have a memorable “souvenir” from your trip that means a lot to the culture.

(2) Polish Pottery Mug: Another product that is known throughout the country is traditional Polish Ceramic Mugs also known as “bolesławiec” mugs. The design is usually white and blue but can have little tones of color throughout depending on the design. These mugs are sold for a hefty price in the United States so it’s cool to get one from the actual country it was made and the price is considerably cheaper- like $40+ cheaper so buy one!

(3) Gnomes: This one is more specific to Wroclaw as a city because scattered throughout the city, you can find different gnome statues that are each unique in their own way. Some are girls fighting for girl power while others are two men in a barbershop. At most souvenir shops you can buy a miniature statue of a gnome to remember your trip to Wroclaw. It’s an added bonus that you can find so many hidden on the streets.

(4) Pysanky Eggs: These ceramic eggs are brought around during Easter and are meant to mimic the decorated eggs of the holiday. Traditionally, the designs on the eggs are meant to be painted during Lent and they hold significant meaning for the country. They symbolize rebirth, fertility, life and beauty. This beautiful tradition originated in Ukraine but is found throughout Poland as well so it’s worth a look if you’re in town during Easter time. 

(5) Polish Folk Dolls: After dancing for my local Polish club for so many years, I’ve collected many of these dolls over the years but if you are interested in the traditional folk attire and dance culture, this souvenir is one you can’t miss. Although I found only a few stores in Wroclaw had the dolls, you can do some searching of your own to find the perfect one. They are traditional and important to the culture so you can’t not find someone selling them. 

(6) Wooden Keepsake Box: Another traditional piece of the country, not only in Wroclaw are wooden keepsake boxes. I saw these at every shop we went into and it was cool to see the many different designs and sizes you can get. This is a great way to have one unique to your own liking. Many have a floral design while others have a more geometric design but no matter what it looks like, you’re taking home a memorable piece of Poland.

(7) Krowki: It would be wrong of me to not include at least one food item in this list. This Polish candy is a fudge and toffee kind of treat. It is semi-soft and usually wrapped in gorgeous paper that has traditional Polish Folk designs on it. I bought a few myself but got some at the end of my meal at a few places. The outside is slightly hard and crunchy and the inside is soft, sometimes liquid. They are worth grabbing a few of before heading home.

STORES: 

Folkstar is a store found in the basement of the Galeria Dominikanska, a main shopping mall in the city. This store was suggested to me before I went and I am so glad I made time to find it in the busy mall. As soon as I walked into this establishment, I was overcome with so many traditional folk patterns and great products. They had tote bags, slippers, scarves, paintings, china and everything in between with the colorful traditional Polish folk pattern.

Upominki is a little harder to find but is found in the main market square in Old Town on Rynek. The exact address is Rynek 3 and it can be found near the Hansel and Gretel House. This charming store offers a variety of Polish goodies that are on the list above but also has a great selection of the more “basic” items like t-shirts, magnets and so on. 

The third store is one that I still find a mystery. On the final day of our trip, we made a trip to Centennial Hall at around 10 am and found a street market in the courtyard of the building. I am not exactly sure what hours or days this is open. I have done lots of research and can’t seem to find anything on it. For reference, I went on a Sunday and they were setting up at around 9:30 am and were still there at noon when we left the hall. 

Vendors line up with a variety of things to sell and I still can’t fathom some of the things I saw. When I usually say vintage items, I mean before my time but the vintage items I saw here were mind-blowing. I saw gas masks, war helmets, nazi buttons and so much more from the years of World War II. It was so interesting to see and honestly, really gave me a wake-up call about the war we are currently witnessing. 

Along with the WW2 items, there was jewelry, linens, clothes, mirrors, mugs, woodwork and so much more. It was interesting to look through and I found lots of gems for myself and my family. If you can catch it, I highly recommend this experience. 

Besides the shopping, we also saw every sight known to man in that city and I ate some delicious pierogies so I can’t complain about this trip. It was quite a memorable trip for me and I will never forget it for the rest of my life. I am forever thankful for my parents and for them allowing me to do a trip I know was stressful for them.

In all seriousness, if you do find yourself in Wroclaw or Poland in general, be sure to spend a little time learning about the history and shopping for traditional souvenirs that aren’t postcards and magnets but most importantly, enjoy every second!