Świdnicka yesterday and today [PHOTOS, VIDEO]

If someone hasn’t been to ul. Świdnicka for a long time, he can really be surprised...

Katarzyna Chrobak-Eilmes: ‘That’s true. The street changes every month and slowly regains its former splendour. The facades of old houses become more beautiful under the care of the Cultural Park, the surroundings are enriched with new elements of architectures – places where you can rest. But the most important thing is that Świdnicka is becoming alive again. Shops and premises located along the street are taken over by merchants and restaurant owners. In the last year, the street gained several new addresses from the fashion and service industry.

video: Arkadiusz Cichosz

What new things will we find on the route that is slightly more than 1 km long?

‘From the early morning hours, in Etno Café that took possession of the rotunda at Pl. Kościuszki square, you can drink a cup of delicious coffee imported from Ethiopia, Brazil and Nicaragua and roasted in Wroclaw and have a bite. The cafe with its own roasting room refers to the history of the Świdnicka Street. In the place where Mediateka is currently located, under the former address Zwingerplatz 5, a famous roasting room and café of Otto Stiebler functioned till 1900. The atmosphere of this place is reflected perfectly in Marek Krajewski’s novels. A few steps farther, opposite the Opera, you can take a seat in "Gniazdo” (Nest) – a modern cafe and bistro, where you can eat fresh sandwiches, salads and delicious cakes. Full of young energy, this atmospheric place is the worthy successor of "Babeczka" – a cult cake shop that was open here for years. Another place where you can get fresh sandwiches and toasts is the unpretentious “Lizing” opposite Solpol. Like Polish Lody at Pl. Kościuszki square, this place is a Mecca for lovers of traditional craft ice-cream. During warm weather, long queues form here. And if you’re looking for a more exclusive place with a shopping opportunity, you can taste coffee in Nespresso in Hotel Monopol.

Many new brands can be found here, too ‘Świdnicka has good luck with new brands. Right next to the intersection with ul. Piłsudskiego, Pan Pablo - a shop with original collections of comfortable footwear and accessories for children and adults - has found its niche. At the Arcades, you can find Mega - a shop with footwear for more sensitive and demanding feet, and the Plac Kościuszki square has become home to boutiques with unconventional clothes - including Mobo with original collections of Polish designers and Diuk, a men>>'<>'<< needs. Ladies can induce their men to visit a fashionable barber shop at PetiPeti, and gentlemen can buy subtle Lilou jewellery for their women in the recently opened shop of that brand right near the Market Square. You can also get interesting accessories here - for example, beautiful pens in Scryba and Hefra>>'<