Syzyfki
Świdnicka
Syzyfki are two bronze dwarfs permanently rolling a granite boulder on ul. Świdnicka — among the first five dwarfs ever placed in Wroclaw in 2005 by sculptor Tomasz Moczek, and icons of the city.
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Story
The Syzyfki — two dwarfs forever pushing a great granite boulder along ul. Świdnicka — are perhaps the most famous duo in all of Wroclaw. One pushes from behind, one pulls from the front. The stone has not moved an inch in twenty years. Mathematically this should be catastrophic, but somehow they look perfectly content about it: in the dwarf world, the effort counts more than the destination. And besides, they have had a lot of company: millions of humans have stopped to watch, laugh, and quietly wonder if they recognise themselves in the story.
History & Significance
The Syzyfki were installed in August 2005 as part of the first wave of five bronze dwarfs created by sculptor Tomasz Moczek for the city of Wroclaw. They stand along ul. Świdnicka near the Poczta Polska building, at the corner of Świdnicka and the Rynek — the exact location where the historic happenings of the Pomaranczowa Alternatywa (Orange Alternative) movement took place in the 1980s. As one of the first five dwarfs, the Syzyfki are considered founding members of Wroclaw's dwarf community.
Inspiration
The Syzyfki take their name and imagery from the myth of Sisyphus, condemned by the gods to roll a boulder up a hill for eternity, only for it to roll back down each time. Placed in the location of the Orange Alternative's anti-communist happenings, they carry an additional layer of meaning: the defiant, absurdist humour of people who kept pushing against the wall even when the outcome seemed impossible. In Wroclaw, the boulder stays on the flat — which is arguably a better outcome than Sisyphus ever got.
Fun Facts
- They were among the very first five bronze dwarfs placed in Wroclaw in August 2005, making them founding members of the entire city-wide tradition.
- The boulder they push has not moved in over twenty years — an achievement the dwarfs seem to regard with considerable equanimity.
- Their location on ul. Świdnicka is the exact spot of the most famous Orange Alternative happenings in the late 1980s.
- One dwarf pushes from behind while the other attempts to pull from the front — a teamwork strategy that arguably describes much of modern professional life.
- They quickly became the most photographed dwarfs in Wroclaw, and remain fierce competition for any selfie spot in the city centre.
How to Find This Dwarf
The Syzyfki are on ul. Świdnicka near the corner with the Rynek — look for the granite boulder in the pavement, you really cannot miss them. From the Rynek's south-western corner, head south along ul. Świdnicka past the underground passage — the dwarfs appear within 100 metres. They are also very near Papa Krasnal, the original Wroclaw dwarf on a thumb-shaped plinth.
Nearby Dwarfs
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the Syzyfki dwarfs in Wroclaw?
Syzyfki stand on ul. Świdnicka near the Poczta Polska building, at the south-western edge of the Rynek. They are about 100 metres south of the Rynek's corner along ul. Świdnicka.
What do the Syzyfki dwarfs symbolise?
They reference the myth of Sisyphus — eternal, dogged effort in the face of impossible odds. In their location on the street of the Orange Alternative's anti-communist happenings, they also carry a message of absurdist, joyful defiance.
Who made the Syzyfki?
They were created by sculptor Tomasz Moczek in 2005, as part of the first five bronze dwarfs commissioned for Wroclaw. He is considered the father of the entire Wroclaw dwarf tradition.
Are the Syzyfki the most famous dwarfs in Wroclaw?
They are widely considered the most iconic. As founding members of the dwarf tradition, placed in the city's most historically charged street, they are the go-to selfie spot and the first stop on every dwarf trail.
Accessibility
Wheelchair AccessibleGround LevelOutdoor
Located on the pavement along ul. Świdnicka. Flat, wide footpath with ample space around the dwarfs. Fully accessible for wheelchairs and pushchairs.
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