Wałbrzych

Wałbrzych is the second-largest city of Dolnośląskie in Poland. Although founded by Slavic settlers in 12th century, for most of its history it belonged to German-speaking lands, and was known as Waldenburg (in German) or Valdenburk. It became a part of Poland after 1945. From 1975–1998 it was the capital of Wałbrzych Voivodeship.

Understand
Wałbrzych was an important regional centre throughout its history, specializing in clothmaking, and enjoyed the most growth after it and the surrounding areas developed large-scale coal mining. Other industries followed, including most prominently pottery. Wałbrzych suffered relatively little destruction in the Second World War and, apart from the city itself, it can boast a number of historic building and attractions in its immediate surroundings, like the magnificent Książ castle or the spa town of Szczawno-Zdrój.

It was home to 111,000 people in 2019.

The region is quite economically depressed, however, due to the fall of its traditional industries.

By rail
Wałbrzych is also a major railway junction.

By car
The town can be reached by road within an hour's drive from Wrocław using the DK35 road.

Get around
Wałbrzych is an expansive city over many hills and has a well-developed, street and road network.

Książ




Wałbrzych Old Town




Elsewhere

 * The city has several tunnels and underground bunkers built during World War II, some of these tunnels are buried completely or partially. As well as a lot of mining facilities (mining shafts, industrial halls, tunnels)
 * The city has several tunnels and underground bunkers built during World War II, some of these tunnels are buried completely or partially. As well as a lot of mining facilities (mining shafts, industrial halls, tunnels)
 * The city has several tunnels and underground bunkers built during World War II, some of these tunnels are buried completely or partially. As well as a lot of mining facilities (mining shafts, industrial halls, tunnels)
 * The city has several tunnels and underground bunkers built during World War II, some of these tunnels are buried completely or partially. As well as a lot of mining facilities (mining shafts, industrial halls, tunnels)
 * The city has several tunnels and underground bunkers built during World War II, some of these tunnels are buried completely or partially. As well as a lot of mining facilities (mining shafts, industrial halls, tunnels)
 * The city has several tunnels and underground bunkers built during World War II, some of these tunnels are buried completely or partially. As well as a lot of mining facilities (mining shafts, industrial halls, tunnels)
 * The city has several tunnels and underground bunkers built during World War II, some of these tunnels are buried completely or partially. As well as a lot of mining facilities (mining shafts, industrial halls, tunnels)
 * The city has several tunnels and underground bunkers built during World War II, some of these tunnels are buried completely or partially. As well as a lot of mining facilities (mining shafts, industrial halls, tunnels)
 * The city has several tunnels and underground bunkers built during World War II, some of these tunnels are buried completely or partially. As well as a lot of mining facilities (mining shafts, industrial halls, tunnels)

Go next

 * Dolnośląskie has a wealth of destinations to offer within an hour's drive from Wałbrzych, including:
 * Wrocław, the region's capital
 * Karpacz, the portal to the Karkonosze Mountain Range
 * Jelenia Góra, a smaller historic town and a popular tourist destination for mountaineers as well
 * Wałbrzych is close to the border of Poland and Czech Republic
 * Wałbrzych's Czech twin town, Hradec Kralove, is a two-hour drive away, less than 100 km by road
 * Prague is only 3 hours away by car (continue from Hradec Kralove over E67)