Długi

Story

Dlugi (which simply means 'Tall') is one of the most aptly-named dwarfs in all of Wroclaw. He stands at Plac Solny 16, guarding the entrance to the historic Old Stock Exchange building alongside his neighbour Gieldus. Rumour among the other dwarfs holds that Dlugi grew so tall because he kept stretching to peek over the heads of tourists and check which way the wind was blowing for commodity prices.

History & Significance

Plac Solny (Salt Square) has been a market square since medieval times, when merchants traded salt brought from Wieliczka, as well as honey, wax and leather goods. The Old Stock Exchange building (Stara Gielda) at number 16 was constructed in the 1820s in a neoclassical style, modelled on Italian Renaissance palaces. It served as the first seat of the Wroclaw stock exchange and a meeting place for the city's merchants. Today the building operates as an office complex and the square is famous for its around-the-clock flower stalls.

Inspiration

Dlugi's name is a gentle joke: dwarfs are famously short, but this one clearly missed the memo. Placed at the Old Stock Exchange alongside Gieldus, the pair represent the long mercantile tradition of Plac Solny. The location choice was deliberate — this square has been a place of trade for over seven centuries, and the two dwarfs together nod to that history.

Fun Facts

• His name 'Dlugi' (Tall) is an ironic joke — dwarfs are typically considered quite short!
• Plac Solny where he lives once hosted gold prospectors in the Middle Ages who hoped to find precious metal beneath the square's cobblestones.
• Dlugi and Gieldus share their patch of pavement at the Old Stock Exchange, which was built so that merchants could avoid paying city taxes by not including the full municipal coat of arms in the building's decoration.
• The square never sleeps: flower vendors sell blooms there 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so Dlugi always has colourful company.
• Plac Solny is just one block southwest of the Main Market Square (Rynek), making Dlugi easy to find on a standard city-centre dwarf walk.

How to Find This Dwarf

From Wroclaw's Main Market Square (Rynek), walk towards the southwest corner where Bank Santander stands — the entrance to Plac Solny is right there. Cross the square and look for the impressive neoclassical facade of the Old Stock Exchange at number 16; Dlugi is right by the door, next to Gieldus. The whole walk from the Rynek takes under two minutes.

Nearby Dwarfs

Frequently Asked Questions

Accessibility

Wheelchair AccessibleGround LevelOutdoor

Located on the cobblestone pavement of Plac Solny, directly in front of the Old Stock Exchange. The cobblestones are uneven but the area is flat and generally manageable for wheelchairs.