Bartonik, Bronze dwarf statue in Market Square, Wrocław, Poland.
Bartonik is a small bronze figure depicting a dwarf in a wide-legged stance, located on a central plaza in the Old Town district. The statue features distinct details like an expressive face and characteristic markings that set it apart from other similar works scattered around the city.
This bronze figure was installed in 2012 as part of an artistic movement that began in Wrocław in the early 2000s. It follows a tradition that has developed over two decades, leading to the creation of hundreds of similar works throughout the city.
The name Bartonik is used affectionately by locals as a familiar term for this small figure. Like other dwarfs throughout the city, it has become a gathering point where visitors stop to take photos and share stories.
The work is located on a plaza in the Old Town and is easily accessible on foot. The ground is made of cobblestones, which is worth noting when walking, especially if spending longer periods in this area.
This figure emerged not from official planning but as part of an informal civic movement that spread hundreds of works without formal permission. The collection has grown so large and dispersed that many figures today retain their origins and individual stories while becoming a core part of the city's identity.
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