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The sole remainder of a medieval castle built by the local Piast dukes of Opole as a residence and defensive facility. The tower was a late addition, stemming from the 14th century, while the construction of the castle started in 1228. As the former Duchy of Opole started changing hands between surrounding kingdoms and empires, the castle was subjects to periods of ruin and reconstruction. Finally, in 1928, the German authorities deemed the castle to be in poor condition and ordered its demolition to make room for a new government office complex. After much public outcry from the local Polish (at that time) minority, the tower was preserved and remains standing between the modernist buildings, which still serve the regional government of Opole.
© OpenStreetMap contributors
Muzeum Polskiej Piosenki
The name is a bit misleading as the pond was actually created from the remains of the moat after the castle was demolished. It serves a purely recreational purpose, with an active musical fountain in the summer and a long tradition of ice-skating in the winter, with the pond hosting the German ice-skating championships in 1934. The wooden house with the restaurant was originally erected for the local ice-skating society. The musical fountain performs a lights-and-music show on summer evenings.
Millennium Amphitheatre
The most prominent function of the amphitheatre is hosting the annual Polish song festival in June, but it remains busy in the warmer months with other concerts and events
A wall of historic buildings directly over the Młynówka river looks quite spectacular and nothing like Venice, actually, but more like canals of Hamburg for example. Some of the best photos of Opole are taken there at night.
A 14th century Franciscan church including a Piast mausoleum
The neo-renaissance Town Hall is a result of numerous reconstructions and expansions. Especially its tower had a tumultuous history, being rebuilt many times, the last time in 1936, with the aim to resemble Palazzo Vecchio of Venice. Unlike many other town halls of major cities in Poland, the one in Opole is still used for its original function and most of the official business pertaining to the city authorities is conducted inside.