Sępolno is one of Wrocław’s historic districts, a testament to the former German vision of a modern settlement. Today, it is still a lively place where history meets the everyday life of its inhabitants. Walking along its streets, we can admire thoughtfully designed multi-family buildings surrounded by gardens and a central square – the heart of the estate, which still has a social and recreational function. Thanks to its unique architecture, proximity to nature and rich history, Sępolno retains its character as a garden city, forming a unique element of the Wrocław landscape. This importance is underlined by the layout of the buildings and streets, which resembles an eagle in its shape. Some believe that this layout refers to the German eagle, others to the symbol of the Polish Piasts.
The area around present-day Sępolno was formerly a medieval village whose origins date back to 1288. The settlement, named Zemplin (or Semplino), suffered from flooding problems for centuries, due to the marshy terrain and the changing course of rivers such as the Oder, Widawa and the now defunct Black Water. It was only after the digging of the Navigation and Flood Canals between 1905 and 1919 that the region became more stable and possible for further development.
The settlement in 1932. Source: Herder Institut – Marburg
In 1924, Sępolno was incorporated into the administrative boundaries of Wrocław and became an example of a modern approach to the design of urban spaces. The housing estate, inspired by the concept of a garden city, was designed by three prominent architects – Paul Heim, Hermann Wahlich and Albert Kempter. The premise of the project was to create a resident-friendly space with plenty of greenery, a functional urban layout and a peaceful atmosphere.
The estate was built with the representatives of Wrocław’s middle class in mind, and its architecture reflects modern urban planning ideas from the early 20th century. The estate’s plan includes straight, orderly streets that converge at a central point – today this is Powstańców Warszawskich Square, surrounded by compact multi-family buildings. A characteristic element of the urban layout are the wide main streets, flanked by smaller side streets that lead to terraced and detached houses. Pedestrian paths have been planned so that, independent of traffic, they pass through the back gardens, creating pleasant places for strolling.
Sępolno covers an area of around 100 hectares, 3/4 of which is made up of buildings and home gardens, and the remainder is made up of streets, parks and other green areas. Public greenery plays an important role here, creating recreational space for residents and giving the estate the character of a garden in the city.
Most of the buildings on the estate are two-storey terraced houses, as well as detached houses, which were designed in a minimalist modernist style. Over the years, the houses have generally retained their unique character, with their architecture reminiscent of the classic forms of the early 20th century. The buildings are characterised by simple, geometric forms and sparing ornamentation. The facades are dominated by materials such as brick and wood, giving the buildings an elegant and timeless appearance.
The heart of Sępolno is the vast central square, known today as Skwer Powstańców Warszawskich (Warsaw Insurgents’ Square), which was originally used as a field. On one side, the square is enclosed by the building of the former Evangelical King Gustav Adolf Memorial Church. This building, built in the 1930s, functioned for a while as a place of worship, but was converted into two cinemas during the communist period. Its architecture exemplifies the modernist tendencies in church construction of the time. On the other side of the square is the building of primary school No. 45, which was used as a forced labour camp for women during the Second World War.
Contemporary Sępolno is not only a historic housing estate, but also one of the most attractive places to live in Wrocław. Surrounded by greenery, with a well-thought-out infrastructure and historic buildings, it attracts residents looking for peace and quiet and, at the same time, proximity to the city centre. Its harmonious layout, with plenty of public space and home gardens, means that the estate still retains the character of a garden city, offering a unique lifestyle amidst Wrocław’s urban development.
Source: miejscawewroclawiu.pl, radiowroclaw.pl
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