Wrocław figured in the recorded history of Poland as early as 1000, since 1163 as a ducal capital. In the 13/14th century, many Germans settled in the area, and the town acquired its German name, Breslau. A prosperous mercantile centre, it became a Habsburg possession in 1561, was seized by Prussia in 1741 and remained the capital of Lower Silesia until 1945 when the province became part of Poland and Breslau was renamed Wrocław. Its population reached almost 700,000 in 2004.

Wrocław's complex and dramatic history is embedded in its architecture, the gothic Cathedral Island, the splendid town hall and numerous buildings dating from baroque to modern times.

History and architecture of Wrocław come alive in this extraordinary volume of photographs that follows in the footsteps of Stanisław Klimek's previous pictorial publication on Wrocław, Castle Fürstenstein, Lower Silesia and others. It is by far the largest, most impressive and informative of Klimek's books. The artistic and technical quality of the 151 photographs is outstanding. A feast for the eye and for the mind.