Pierożnik, Bronze gnome statue in Market Square, Wrocław, Poland.
Pierożnik is a bronze dwarf figure located at ground level near Market Square's edge, positioned beside a restaurant entrance with a fork and dumpling in hand. The small statue stands at an accessible height where visitors naturally encounter it while walking through the area.
This figure was installed in 2007 as part of a dwarf sculpture collection that emerged from the Orange Alternative, an artistic movement expressing resistance through public art. The dwarves became a creative way for people to respond to their political surroundings at that time.
This dwarf connects Wrocław's artistic street culture with the city's food identity, showing how local history becomes part of everyday public life. You see people stopping by to touch the bronze figure, treating it as a gathering point in the square.
The statue sits at ground level in an easy-to-reach location near the Market Square, accessible at any time of day since it stands outdoors permanently. Early mornings or late afternoons tend to offer the best conditions for photographs with fewer crowds around.
Local stories say this dwarf was always trying to snatch dumplings from restaurant customers, which is how it earned its name. This playful tale continues to be shared by locals and adds a layer of humor to the statue's presence.
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