Monopol Hotel, Wroclaw

The Monopol Hotel, an illustrious five-star establishment, is a living testament to history and luxury. Its origins trace back to 1892 when it was erected in what was then known as Breslau. The hotel's architecture proudly embodies the Art Nouveau and Neo-Baroque styles, and its foundation lies upon the intriguing history of the former St. Dorothy's Church graveyard, which had been transformed into a jail in 1817.

The visionaries behind this opulent venture were banker Wallenberg Pachaly and architect Karl Grosser, both prominent figures in Breslau's cultural and financial circles. With an investment of 600,000 marks, they acquired the land and embarked on the construction of a trade house and hotel. It quickly earned the endearing nickname "the pearl of Lower Silesia" (die Perle Niederschlesiens).

Throughout its German era, the Monopol Hotel played host to notable patrons, among them the acclaimed playwright Gerhart Hauptmann. In a historical gesture, a balcony was purposefully constructed above the main entrance in 1937, coinciding with Adolf Hitler's visit to Breslau. The following year, Hitler delivered a speech from this very balcony during the German Gymnastics and Sports Festival. Post-war, the celebrated singer Jan Kiepura graced the same balcony with his voice, serenading a crowd of people gathered in front of the hotel.

Remarkably, the hotel building itself emerged from the war largely unscathed. Following Breslau's transfer to Poland in 1945, the Monopol Hotel hosted the prestigious World Congress of Intellectuals during the Exhibition of the Recovered Territories in 1948, welcoming luminaries such as Pablo Picasso.

This historic hotel has also played a role on the silver screen, serving as a backdrop for notable films like Andrzej Wajda's "Ashes and Diamonds" and Wojciech Has's "The Doll." It even found its way into popular television programs like "More Than Life at Stake."

In recognition of its architectural and historical significance, the Monopol Hotel was rightfully entered into Wrocław's register of monuments in 1984. Today, it continues to stand as a beacon of luxury and cultural heritage in the heart of Wrocław.