Koszałek Opałek
Koszałek Opałek is a dwarf at Irkucka 11, in Psie Pole-Zawidawie, in the north-east of Wrocław. Appeared 1 September 2011.
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Koszałek Opałek
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Story
Koszałek Opałek stands in Psie Pole-Zawidawie, in the north-east of Wrocław, at Irkucka 11, about 8.2 km from the Market Square as the crow flies. What you will see: a grey, weathered figure in a floppy cap leaning sideways against a wall with one arm over his head and his eyes shut, as if dozing in the sun, with rose bushes behind him. We describe only what the photo and the sources show - no legend is attached to this dwarf in anything we found. Take a moment to look at the small details, and if you are visiting with children, ask them what the dwarf might be thinking about.
History & Significance
Wrocław's bronze dwarfs trace their origins to the Orange Alternative (Pomarańczowa Alternatywa), a peaceful protest movement founded in the city in 1986 by Waldemar Fydrych, whose activists painted dwarfs on walls as a form of absurdist, non-violent resistance. Since 2005 the city has filled its streets with bronze dwarfs, and there are now hundreds of them, far beyond the old centre. Wromap dates the appearance of Koszałek Opałek to 1 September 2011; it names no author. Who commissioned this dwarf is not documented in anything we found.
Inspiration
His name is a double-barrelled dwarf name that sounds like something out of an old Polish tale. We found no source that explains why this dwarf was placed here or who sponsored him, so we describe only what is visible: his sleepy pose.
Fun Facts
- Wromap dates his appearance to 1 September 2011.
- Wromap lists the address Irkucka 11, 51-210 Wrocław, and warns that access may be restricted.
- His grey surface is flaking in places, so he looks weathered.
- Jagódka is the nearest dwarf, 295 m away.
- He looks as if he is dozing: his eyes are shut and one arm rests on his head.
How to Find This Dwarf
Put Irkucka 11 into your map app: Koszałek Opałek is about 8.2 km from the Market Square, so plan this as its own trip rather than a stop on the Rynek walk. Once you are there, Jagódka is 295 m to the south-west and Rejestruś is 376 m to the south-east, so you can collect several dwarfs in one outing. Wromap warns that access may be limited by a gate, fence or barrier, so it is best to check before you go.
Nearby Dwarfs
See all Wrocław dwarfs on the dwarf list
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Koszałek Opałek dwarf in Wrocław?
Koszałek Opałek stands at Irkucka 11, in Psie Pole-Zawidawie, in the north-east of Wrocław, about 8.2 km from the Market Square.
What does Koszałek Opałek look like?
A grey, weathered figure in a floppy cap leaning sideways against a wall with one arm over his head and his eyes shut, as if dozing in the sun, with rose bushes behind him.
Who made Koszałek Opałek and when did the dwarf appear?
Wromap dates the appearance to 1 September 2011 but names no author.
Accessibility
Ground LevelOutdoor
Koszałek Opałek stands outdoors. Wromap warns access may be limited by a gate or fence. We have not checked the approach on site, so we cannot confirm step-free access.
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