Recyklinek
Świdnicka 31
Recyklinek, the eco-warrior dwarf at ul. Swidnicka 31 by Hotel Monopol, arrived from the Green Forest in 2011 to champion recycling and protect Wroclaw's trees.
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Story
Recyklinek came to Wroclaw straight from the Green Forest, alarmed by the vanishing trees and determined to do something about it. Unlike the more dramatic protesters who chain themselves to oaks, he chose a gentler path: persuading people to recycle paper and protect forest resources. He stands on a stone obelisk outside Hotel Monopol on ul. Swidnicka 31, clutching a waste bin and a guide titled 'How to Sort Your Rubbish.'
History & Significance
Recyklinek was installed on 18 October 2011 and was sculpted by Tomasz Moczek, the creator of the original five Wroclaw dwarfs. He was commissioned by WPO Alba, a waste management company operating in Wroclaw, as part of a campaign to promote recycling and ecological awareness among city residents.
Inspiration
Wroclaw has invested significantly in environmental initiatives, and Recyklinek represents the city's commitment to sustainability. He is one of very few eco-themed dwarfs in the entire collection of over 800 figures, making him a rare and important voice on environmental responsibility in the city's playful cast of characters.
Fun Facts
- Recyklinek is one of fewer than ten eco-themed dwarfs among Wroclaw's entire collection of over 800 figurines.
- He was sculpted by Tomasz Moczek, the same artist who created the very first five Wroclaw dwarfs in 2005.
- His attributes - a waste bin and a recycling leaflet - are unique in the dwarf world, where most gnomes carry tools of trade or leisure.
- The stone obelisk he stands on outside Hotel Monopol has become something of a notice board for dwarf-spotting tourists.
- He arrived from the 'Green Forest', a whimsical backstory suggesting dwarfs exist in an enchanted woodland worried about the fate of their trees.
How to Find This Dwarf
From the Swidnicka tram stop, walk south along ul. Swidnicka. Hotel Monopol is a grand Art Nouveau building on the right side of the street at number 31. Recyklinek stands on the stone obelisk on the pavement outside the hotel's display windows - look for the small figure with a recycling bin.
Nearby Dwarfs
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Recyklinek dwarf in Wroclaw?
Recyklinek stands on a stone obelisk on the pavement outside Hotel Monopol at ul. Swidnicka 31, in the heart of the Old Town.
What does Recyklinek represent?
He is an eco-activist dwarf who came from the Green Forest to encourage Wroclaw residents to recycle paper and protect natural resources.
Who made the Recyklinek dwarf?
He was sculpted by Tomasz Moczek - the creator of the original five Wroclaw dwarfs - and commissioned by waste management company WPO Alba in 2011.
Accessibility
Wheelchair AccessibleGround LevelOutdoor
Stands on a low stone obelisk on the pavement along ul. Swidnicka. Flat, wide pavement with no barriers.
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