Świetlik
Zajezdnia nr VI Dąbie Zygmunta Wróblewskiego 36
Swietlik is Wroclaw's legendary tram-riding dwarf, who perches on the roof above the driver on one of the city's trams — spotted only by the most observant passengers since his arrival in 2008.
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Story
Swietlik is Wroclaw's most elusive dwarf — a tiny traveller who rides the city's trams every single day, crouching on the roof just above the driver's cab, watching the streets scroll past like a private cinema. His name means 'little glow' or 'glow-worm' in Polish, and tram drivers report a faint golden shimmer on their windscreen whenever he is aboard. To spot Swietlik, you must board one of the Wroclaw trams and check the roof as the vehicle arrives at the platform — the briefest glimpse is considered very lucky.
History & Significance
Swietlik arrived in Wroclaw with a fleet of new three-section trams built by local manufacturer Pro-tram in January 2008. A six-year-old girl named Wiktoria from the 'Krol Macjus' kindergarten invented his backstory (in a competition), and her classmates chose his name. His first official journey took place aboard one of the new trams from the depot on ul. Powstancow Slaskich. Unlike most Wroclaw dwarfs, Swietlik does not have a fixed address — he is in constant motion, which makes him one of the most cherished and hardest to find members of the dwarf family.
Inspiration
Swietlik was created to celebrate the arrival of a new generation of trams on Wroclaw's public transport network, commissioned by MPK (Miejskie Przedsiebiorstwo Komunikacyjne). The name 'Swietlik' (glow-worm / little light) was chosen by kindergarten children, which gave him an instantly endearing origin story. His character as a wandering tram-rider reflects Wroclaw's love for its historic tram network — one of the oldest and most extensive in Poland.
Fun Facts
- Swietlik was named by children from the 'Krol Macjus' kindergarten in a citywide competition in 2008.
- He arrived with a new fleet of Pro-tram trams from the depot on ul. Powstancow Slaskich — Wroclaw's own tram-manufacturing tradition.
- Because he moves constantly with the tram fleet, Swietlik has no fixed address, making him one of the most genuinely 'hidden' dwarfs in the city.
- Wroclaw's tram network is one of the oldest in Poland, dating back to horse-drawn trams in 1877 and electric trams in 1893.
- Local lore says that if you see Swietlik on the roof of your tram, your whole journey will be free of delays and red lights.
How to Find This Dwarf
There is no fixed location for Swietlik — he rides the trams! Board any tram in Wroclaw and check the roof above the driver's cab as the vehicle pulls into the platform. Your best chances are at busy central stops such as Rynek, Sw. Jadwigi/Plac Dominikanski, or Plac Grunwaldzki. The original trams he arrived with were built by Pro-tram from the depot at ul. Powstancow Slaskich — tram 14 and others pass that area.
Nearby Dwarfs
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Swietlik dwarf in Wroclaw?
Swietlik has no fixed address — he rides the city's trams, perched on the roof above the driver's cab. Board any tram in Wroclaw and check the roof as you arrive at a platform to try to spot him.
Who invented Swietlik?
Swietlik's character was invented by a six-year-old girl named Wiktoria from the 'Krol Macjus' kindergarten, with his name chosen by her classmates in 2008 when a new fleet of Pro-tram trams arrived in the city.
Why is Swietlik on a tram?
He was created to celebrate the arrival of new locally-built trams in 2008, reflecting Wroclaw's pride in its tram manufacturing heritage and its historic tram network, one of the oldest in Poland.
Accessibility
Wheelchair AccessibleOutdoor
Swietlik rides trams, which are wheelchair-accessible in Wroclaw. He himself is on the roof, so he cannot be touched, but all tram platforms in the city centre are level-access.
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