Uziomek

Story

Uziomek sits calmly on the pavement outside ul. Swojczycka 38E, guarding the entrance to the Elko-Bis lightning protection headquarters in the Strachocin-Swojczyce-Wojnow district. This grounded little fellow wears a hard hat and clutches a lightning rod, looking perfectly at ease despite being surrounded by electrical equipment. Legend has it that during thunderstorms, Uziomek channels all the static from the neighbourhood into the earth through his tiny bronze boots, keeping the whole street safe. Visitors who spot him often notice the warm glow of his polished hat — rubbed shiny by passers-by who believe it brings protection from bad weather.

History & Significance

Uziomek appeared outside the Elko-Bis building on ul. Swojczycka 38E in the Swojczyce area of eastern Wroclaw. He was commissioned by Elko-Bis Systemy Odgromowe, a family-owned lightning protection company founded in Wroclaw in 1998 that has grown into one of Central Europe's leading manufacturers of lightning arrester systems. The dwarf's name is a playful diminutive of 'uziom' — the Polish word for an earthing electrode — a core product of his sponsor. Like all Wroclaw dwarfs, Uziomek traces his roots to the Orange Alternative movement of the 1980s, when dwarf graffiti served as a symbol of peaceful anti-communist resistance.

Inspiration

Elko-Bis Systemy Odgromowe is a Wroclaw-born company that has been manufacturing lightning protection systems, lightning rods, and grounding equipment since 1998. From its headquarters on ul. Swojczycka 38E, the company supplies arrester hardware across Europe, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia, protecting everything from the LNG terminal in Swinoujscie to Warsaw metro lines and thousands of residential buildings. Uziomek's name comes from 'uziom' (earthing electrode), which is the foundation of every lightning protection installation — fittingly, the dwarf appears to be firmly grounded on the pavement, just like the products his sponsor creates.

Fun Facts

• His name derives from 'uziom', the Polish term for an earthing electrode used in lightning protection.
• Elko-Bis, his sponsor, protects landmarks like the Swinoujscie LNG terminal and Warsaw metro.
• Located about 6 km east of the city centre, he is one of Wroclaw's more adventurous-to-find dwarfs.
• Rubbing his bronze hat is said to protect you from storms — a fitting superstition for this little guardian.
• The company that sponsors him was founded in 1998, making it one of Poland's longest-running lightning protection specialists.

How to Find This Dwarf

From the Swojczyce tram stop (tram lines 10 and 17), walk east along ul. Swojczycka for about 400 metres. Look for the Elko-Bis building at number 38E on the right side of the street — Uziomek sits right by the main entrance. If coming by car, there is parking available near the building.

Nearby Dwarfs

Frequently Asked Questions

Accessibility

Wheelchair AccessibleGround LevelOutdoor

Located on flat pavement in front of the Elko-Bis building. Fully accessible for wheelchairs and pushchairs. The area is outside the city centre in an industrial zone with wide pavements.