Poland’s capital and largest city, Warsaw offers a different perspective of Polish life than the nation’s Rother main cities. Having been completely destroyed during World War II, the rebuilding of Warsaw by Polish citizens has been remarkable. During the 80s and 90s Warsaw had a reputation of being a particularly dour Eastern Bloc city, with Communist architecture being the norm rather than the exception. And while most of the architecture has remained, Warsaw is now rapidly dropping this image and is recognised by both Poles and Foreigners as one of Europe’s business and cultural centres.

Sightseeing

As with other major Polish cities Warsaw has a very attractive Old Town, and although it was largely destroyed during World War II it was rebuilt with impressive authenticity. The Old Town Market Place is the predominant feature of the Old Town, and is lined with cafes, restaurants, and shops. The Old Town is listed as one of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites.

Warsaw has a large number of historic sites, memorials, museums, and other tourist attractions. The city is quite spread out and, unlike other Polish cities it will be necessary to walk a great distance to cover the main sites – or utilize Warsaw’s efficient public transport system. Warsaw is the only Polish city with an underground metro.

Apart from the Old Town, other tourist attractions in Warsaw include:

• The Royal Route was a famous communication route between the Old Town and the king’s residence. Today it exhibits numerous churches, palaces, castles, parks, and historic streets. The route leads from Castle Square down several streets until arriving at Wilanów (Jan III Sobieski’s residence).
• The Powązki Cemetery is one of the oldest in Europe and is full of sculptures by renowned Polish artists of the 19th and 20th centuries.
• Signs of Jewish culture can be seen throughout the city. Nożyk Synagogue and the Jewish Theatre are two of the more prominent examples.
• The Palace of Culture and Science is the tall Communist-built structure that dominates the Warsaw skyline. It is the eighth tallest building in the EU and the world’s second tallest clock-tower. At 114m, the 30th-floor terrace provides impressive views of the city.
• The Historical Museum of Warsaw provides countless fascinating exhibits covering all aspects of Warsaw’s turbulent past.
• Pawiak was an infamous political prison built in the 19th century and used as part of the Warsaw Concentration Camp during World War II. It was destroyed during the war and the site now houses a Mausoleum of Memory of Martyrdom and the Pawiak Museum.
• The life of one of Warsaw’s most famous residents, Fryderyk Chopin, is celebrated in several forms in the city. The highlight is most probably the Chopin Museum, housed in the 17th-century Ostrogski Castle. Chopin’s heart is secured inside the Holy Cross Church, and the Chopin’s Childhood (Dzieciństwo Chopina) display is also worth a look.

History and Geography

Warsaw lies on the Vistula River in east-central Poland in the province of Masovia (województwo mazowieckie). With a population of approximately 1.75million Warsaw is the eighth largest city in the European Union. Warsaw is divided into 18 boroughs (dzielnica), the most central of which – Śródmieście (city-centre) – is home to the Old Town and New Town.

The first settlements most likely appeared on the site of present-day Warsaw in the 9th century, on what is now the Old Town. Since then Warsaw has been through an enormously tumultuous past.

• Around 1300 the Płock prince Bolesław II of Masovia established a settlement on a small fishing village called Warszowa. This was to become the modern-day Warsaw (Warszawa).
• In 1596 Warsaw became the capital of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, as well as the Polish Crown, when King Sigismund III Vasa moved the court from Krakow.
• During the 17th and 18th centuries significant amounts of Warsaw were destroyed several times by fire and invasions, and rebuilt straight away.
• In 1791 in the Royal Castle the Constitution of the Third of May was adopted – only the second such act in the world, after America.
• In 1795, almost immediately after the signing of the Constitution Warsaw was incorporated into Prussia.
• In 1807, having been liberated by Napoleon’s army, Warsaw became the capital of the new Duchy of Warsaw. It soon became the centre of the Congress Poland – a constitutional monarchy.
• In 1918 following World war I Warsaw was made the capital of the newly independent Poland.
• World War II saw Warsaw occupied by Nazis following the Siege of Warsaw, which began on September 1, 1939. The occupation lasted until January 17, 1945 (not including a temporary respite during the Warsaw Uprising of 1944).
• After the war a Communist regime was instated by the conquering Soviets, and the rebuilding of the city began. While many of the historic buildings and churches were restored to their previous form, a large number of Communist style structures were also raised.
• Communist rule evaporated in 1989 following the Round Table Agreements between the Communist Party and the Opposition, which took place at Radziwill Palace.