Small bronze figures of gnomes, which the Poles call krasnale or krasnoludki, are scattered throughout the city. Today they can be seen even in remote areas, and they have become a symbol and tourist attraction of Wroclaw.
The first gnomes appeared in the city back in the 1980s. Then, oddly enough, they were a symbol of political protest. It all started with the Orange Alternative movement, which was born in Wroclaw. This underground organization stood for freedom of speech and public assembly and opposed government censorship. The name itself contrasted the bright and positive orange color with the haunting red flags and posters that adorned streets and public spaces at that time.
The artist and cultural figure Waldemar Fydrich came up with an unusual form of peaceful protest and began to paint gnomes on the walls of buildings. Their funny figures usually appeared in places where the authorities painted over anti-government statements. Many years later, in 2001, the protest movement of the 80s was marked with a bronze monument - a 40-centimeter figure of a dwarf standing on a pedestal in the shape of a thumb. This character was nicknamed "Daddy Gnome".
Over the years, the political aspect disappeared, and the gnomes became the original symbol of the city. Lovely bronze figurines were placed near tourist and public places, private shops, and restaurants. Since then, hundreds of new gnomes have appeared in Wroclaw, which has become a magnet for tourists. Finding and photographing them has become a favorite pastime not only for tourists but also for many townspeople.
