Nawigator
Księcia Witolda 2
Nawigator stands near Marina Topacz at ul. Ksiecia Witolda, gazing through his sextant — a weathered sea captain who sailed the world's oceans before anchoring permanently in Wroclaw.
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Story
Nawigator — the Navigator — has finally dropped anchor in Wroclaw after a lifetime at sea. He stands near Marina Topacz on ul. Ksiecia Witolda, peering through his sextant at the stars as if he's still charting a course across some far-off ocean. The plaque beside him tells the story: he sailed from Swinoujscie, Gdynia and Gdansk to Antarctica and the Arctic, from St Petersburg to Casablanca, aboard tankers even during wartime in the Persian Gulf. Now the wanderer has found his home port. 'Navigare necesse est,' he reminds us — sailing is necessary.
History & Significance
Nawigator is located near Marina Topacz at ul. Ksiecia Witolda, with GPS coordinates 51 degrees 6 minutes 54 seconds N, 17 degrees 1 minutes 54 seconds E. The marina setting was chosen deliberately to reflect the dwarf's seafaring biography and to celebrate the tradition of Polish maritime navigation.
Inspiration
The Navigator dwarf was commissioned to honour a real sea captain who spent his career sailing the world's most demanding waters — the Southern Ocean, the Arctic, tanker routes through wartime zones. The text accompanying the dwarf reads almost like a poem, describing decades of voyages until the sailor finally returned to 'his beloved, romantic and artistic Wroclaw'. It is a tribute both to Polish sailors and to the idea that every journey eventually leads home.
Fun Facts
- According to his plaque, Nawigator sailed routes from the Arctic to Antarctica, and through the Persian Gulf during an active war.
- He holds a sextant — a traditional navigation instrument used to determine position by measuring the angle between celestial objects and the horizon.
- His motto is the Latin phrase 'Navigare necesse est' ('to sail is necessary'), a famous saying attributed to the ancient Roman general Pompey.
- Unlike most Wroclaw dwarfs placed in the city centre, Nawigator lives near the water at Marina Topacz, which suits a sailor perfectly.
- He is one of the few dwarfs accompanied by a long poetic text describing his biography rather than just a name plaque.
How to Find This Dwarf
Nawigator is outside the city centre near Marina Topacz on ul. Ksiecia Witolda. Take tram line 10 or 20 toward Nowy Dwor and alight near the marina area, then walk to ul. Ksiecia Witolda. The marina is a pleasant destination in its own right — combine the visit with a riverside walk.
Nearby Dwarfs
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Nawigator dwarf in Wroclaw?
Nawigator stands near Marina Topacz on ul. Ksiecia Witolda, at coordinates 51 degrees 6' 54" N, 17 degrees 1' 54" E. He is located outside the main city centre, near the river.
What is the Nawigator dwarf holding?
He holds a sextant — a precision instrument used by navigators to calculate their position at sea by measuring angles between celestial bodies and the horizon.
Why is this dwarf near the marina?
He was placed there deliberately — the marina setting reflects his biography as a sailor who voyaged across the world's oceans before returning to Wroclaw as his permanent home port.
Accessibility
Wheelchair AccessibleGround LevelOutdoor
Located on a flat promenade near Marina Topacz. The riverside path is accessible; surface is paved and even.
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