When it opened in 1904, Feniks was the largest department store in Wroclaw and the grandest. With its art nouveau architecture topped by a huge illuminated glass globe (6.5 metres in diameter), Feniks certainly cut a majestic figure on the city's Market Square. However in 1930 lightning struck, shattering the crowning orb and do add insult to injury the Wertheim (now 'Renoma') Department Store took over as the largest in town. Somewhat outmoded and greying these days, it can be only a matter of time before a cash injection has the mighty Feniks rising from the proverbial ashes to reclaim its former glory - and globe.
| |
