Semaforek

Story

Semaforek stands on a paved forecourt in Brochów and seems to be signalling to someone. His bronze has a lovely blue-green patina, and he wears a pointed hat with a peaked cap brim on the front, like a railway worker's cap. One hand is raised to his face, near his mouth, while his other arm lifts high above his head. He stands at ul. Semaforowa 42 in a street named after the same railway signal he is called after, and fans of the neighbouring railway-themed dwarfs will find him an easy addition to their route.

History & Significance

Semaforek was made by sculptor Beata Zwolańska-Hołod, according to wromap.pl. OpenStreetMap gives 2018 as the start date and records an alternative name, Brochuś; wromap.pl gives no date. Fotopolska.eu lists him at Preschool no. 51 on ul. Semaforowa. Wrocław's bronze dwarfs trace back to the Orange Alternative, a playful protest movement of the 1980s whose members painted dwarfs on city walls. Since the early 2000s the city has filled its streets with bronze dwarfs, and there are now hundreds of them, many in the quieter districts far from the Market Square. We found no source saying who commissioned him.

Inspiration

A semafor is a railway signal, and Semaforek is the diminutive form, little signal. The street he stands on is called ul. Semaforowa, and his raised arm and railway-style cap fit the name, but no source we found explains the exact idea, so this is our reading of the statue and the street name.

Fun Facts

• Semafor means railway signal in Polish, and Semaforek means little signal.
• He stands on ul. Semaforowa, which carries the same name.
• OpenStreetMap lists him under a second name, Brochuś.
• Tysiąclatek is only 143 m away to the northeast.
• His bronze has a distinct blue-green patina.

How to Find This Dwarf

Go to ul. Semaforowa 42 in Brochów and look for the small dwarf on the paved area near the glass entrance; he is small, so scan the ground by the doors. Fotopolska.eu lists a preschool there, so be considerate if children are around. From here Tysiąclatek is 143 m to the northeast, Kolejarz z Kolejką is 543 m to the north and Wyborcy is 1325 m to the west.

Nearby Dwarfs

Frequently Asked Questions

Accessibility

Ground LevelOutdoor

Stands at ground level on paved ground by a building entrance. No steps; the dwarf is small, so scan the ground. Fotopolska.eu lists a preschool at this spot, so be considerate around children.