Gądów Mały

Gądów Mały, also known as Klein Gandau, is a housing estate in Wrocław with a rich history dating back to at least 1795, when the village consisted of 14 houses and 88 inhabitants. Over time, it gained significance, and its name evolved over the centuries, reflecting its local origins and development. In the 19th century, the village began to grow, and in 1872, the area was taken over by the military and transformed into a training ground, which influenced the region's further development. In 1910, a military airfield was established on this site, which took on a civilian character after World War I. By the 1930s, the airport was well-developed, hosting international arrivals, including the famous landing of the airship "Graf Zeppelin." After World War II, the airport operated under the Wrocław Aeroclub and PLL LOT, and numerous aviation organizations were established on its grounds. The architecture of the estate reflects its aviation history—street names are inspired by aviation themes, and some old buildings, including hangars, have survived to this day and are now used by new businesses. In the 1970s, a decision was made to close the airport and transform the area into a residential estate. During this period, numerous prefabricated apartment blocks were built. The estate developed dynamically, with the most significant construction growth occurring in the 1980s. Gądów Mały also has a cultural side—several churches were built here, as well as the "Astra" Department Store, which became an important commercial hub for the estate. Interestingly, in 2022, a monument commemorating the airport, which had previously been located in a shopping center, was moved to a new location next to the former airport terminal. Gądów Mały, once a village and now a housing estate, retains its place in history as an important point in Wrocław's development, blending aviation tradition with a modern lifestyle.