Wrocław isn't particularly known for its museums, the majority of which are underfunded and outdated. However the opening of the main branch of the Wrocław City Museum inside the renovated Baroque Royal Palace changed all that. Purchased by Frederick the Great of Prussia in 1750, the palace was converted to become the royal residence of the Prussian Hohenzolern kings - a function which it served from the 17th to 20th century. Badly damaged during WWII, only half of the structure survived and now houses the permanent exhibition, '1000 Years of Wrocław', tracing the complex history of the Silesian capital from the Middle Ages to modern day through its art and artefacts, including meticulous recreations of the royal apartments and the unique Beyersdorf Room decorated entirely in Dutch tiles from the 17th century. The upstairs contains a collection of contemporary, post-war paintings. With the closure of the Money Museum the History Museum has inherited much of its collection and the entire exhibition is now rather spectacular. Also don't miss the regal baroque gardens behind the palace.

Admission 15/10zł. English-speaking guided tour 400zł. Audio guides in English and German 10 zł.