Warsaw

About Warsaw

Warsaw is a city that will not leave you indifferent. What strikes any visitor in Warsaw is the blend of the past and present clearly reflected in the traditional sites and old buildings as well as the spirit of its citizens. Warsaw is a capital which owns its present form to the efforts of the entire nation to rebuild the city after it was almost completely brought down to ruins during the World War II. Warsaw's Uprising in August 1944 set a new chapter of the city's history. The battle still defines the spirit of the city and its people. The reminders are visible everywhere, from the execution memorials on every street corner to the Powazki Cemetery and finally commemorated in the newly opened Warsaw Uprising Museum.

Warsaw still strives to regain the once lost glamour. Yet all that is unusual for a capital city is what makes it unique and definitely worth contemplating. The severe and often disorganized architecture dominated by the unregulated Vistula River clashing with the modern idea of a European capital. Perhaps it is easy to see Warsaw as the tragic hero rising to its former glory.

Today, Warsaw is a modern capital which has a lot to offer. Modern restaurants and skyscrapers, cosmopolitan character of many districts, the taste for the oriental and Arabic culture, elegant boutiques give Warsaw its own distinct atmosphere. Warsaw is a frequently visited capital in Europe both by businessmen and tourists. There is a wide range of hotels in Warsaw to chose from. Why is it worth visiting? It is known for the world’s most prestigious cultural events: the Chopin International Piano Competition, which is organised every five years. The city also hosts the International Festival of Contemporary Music, Warsaw Autumn, and the Mozart Festival. Today Warsaw is a city with many faces definitely worth exploring. Despite its hectic and often undefined nature, is an addictive town built on hardship and history.

Attractions to see in Warsaw

Warsaw Uprising Museum

Warsaw Uprising Museum opened on the 60th anniversary of the Warsaw Uprising is one of the most visited places in Warsaw. The modern exhibition presents the everyday struggles of Warsaw’s citizens before and during the Uprising, the horror of occupation and the times of Communist terror. Near the museum is the Freedom Park and its Memorial Wall featuring 10,000 names of insurgents who lost their lives in the battle.

Lazienki

Taking the Royal Route from the King’s Castle in the Old Town one may visit another royal residence, namely Lazienki Palace and Park whose central point is the most impressive Palace on water situated on a picturesque island. Lazienki is a museum, a place for cultural, scientific and entertainment events and a great place for a walk. A considerably beautiful landmark is the Frederic Chopin Monument at which Chopin piano concerts are held every Sunday in the summer.

Warsaw of science and modernity- The Copernicus Centre

The Copernicus Centre is one of the most modern attractions of its kind in Europe. It aims to arouse curiosity, assist in independent cognition of the world and inspire dialogue on scientific issues. Visitors are confronted by hundreds of attractions, which include an earthquake simulator and a magic carpet. A garden on the Centre’s roof provides observation decks with beautiful panoramas. You can see the National Stadium on the Vistula's riverbank prepared for the EURO 2012.

Warsaw Cementery - Powazki

Sometimes compared with Pere Lachaise in Paris, Powazki Cemetery in Warsaw is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful cemeteries in Europe. Founded in 1790, it is the oldest Catholic cemetery in the city and is the resting place of over a million Varsovians, including many of the great patriots.

The Warsaw University Library

Warsaw University Library is an original and modern landmark beautifully located between the main university campus and the banks of the Vistula River. The front façade is made from green copper and tinted glass envisages excerpts from the Polish Renaissance,writer Jan Kochanowski, Plato, an old-Russian chronicle, Arabic and Indian classics, and quotes from the Bible. Pieces of Karol Szymanowski musical compositions and mathematical formulas engraved on these tablets can be seen as well.

10 Warsaw travel tips

Getting around Warsaw

A travel card for the public transport is probably the most convenient means of transport in Warsaw. A 24 hour card costs 9.00 zl (normal ticket) or 4.50 zl (50% reduction). 3 day city travel card is 16 zl (normal ticket) or 8 zl (50% reduction). One Week city travelcard costs 32 zl (normal ticket) or 16 zl (50% reduction). The travel card is valid for the ZTM public transport services which include city’s buses, trams and the underground.

Eating out in Warsaw

Whether you are an old friend or a stranger, you will be greeted with warm hospitality and a proper meal in any Polish home because “guest in the home, god in the home” as the Poles say. The Polish menu in any restaurant can already make your mouth water. The most recommendable dishes are: bigos, kotlet schabowy, pierogi and golabki, a sour rye soup (Zurek), aromatic duck dishes, kwasnica – sauerkraut soup and a sheep's milk smoked cheese (oscypek ).

The most popular cooking ingredients are sauerkraut, beetroot, garlic, horse radish, gherkins, sour cream, kohlrabi, mushrooms, sausages and smoked sausage. A meal owes its taste to the herbs and spices used; such as marjoram, dill, caraway seeds, parsley, or pepper. The most popular desserts are cakes and pastries. A shot of vodka is an appropriate addition to festive meals and helps you to digest the food.

Milk bars and Zakaski Przekaski on Krakowskie Przedmiescie and Nowy Swiat

A symbol of the communist era, milk bars were originally created in the sixties to serve cheap meals based on milk products. Definitely a place worth visiting for the view of life before democratization in Poland that is the nostalgia of the 80s. The style and simple but tasty dishes and drinks is can be also found in pubs and bars such as Zakaski Przekaski on Krakowskie Przedmiescie, where you can taste the traditional Tatar or Sledz (hering) with of course some vodka.

E. Wedel Chocolate Cafe on Szpitalna Street

Definitely the best hot chocolate in Warsaw. The interior is old style and reminds you of pre-war Warsaw. In the neighbouring Wedel's shop you can purchase stylish sweets in many variations.

Panorama of Warsaw

Palace of Culture and Science was Joseph Stalin's "gift" to Warsaw during the era of Soviet domination and is one of the most controversial buildings in Poland. It was supposed to be demolished as the Berlin Wall fell in '89 yet it remained and is now the symbol of the Soviet rule and national symbol of the past. It is definitely worth visiting for the panoramic view at the 30th floor from which you can view river Vistula and the whole city. You can see the whole of Chmielna Street, Plac Defilad, Plac Zamkowy and the most busy high streets like Aleje Jerozolimskie and Marszalkowska.

The path of kings

Any visit to Warsaw is not complete without a walk down Krakowskie Przedmiescie and Aleje Ujazdowskie. On the way you can consider stopping by the Pilsudski Monument, a national hero and one of the biggest patriots. This astonishing boulevard has been crossed by kings, noblemen, presidents and the country's patriots and heroes. Here you'll see VIP limousines, hear 100s of different languages as well as the everyday discussions of students from Warsaw University.

Teatr Wielki and Opera Narodowa

The National programme takes in everything from Polish literature by Gombrowicz, Witkacy and Rozewicz, to European works in Polish old and new by writers as varied as Shakespeare and Pinter. The Grand Theatre also continues its tradition as the home of Polish Opera. The surroundings of the National Polish Opera are ideal for an evening romantic walk.

Concerts and performances

The artistic side of Warsaw revolves around the Polish National Opera and the Warsaw Philharmonic, as well as main theatres in Warsaw such as Teatr Dramatyczny, Teatr na Woli, Ateneum, Teatr Wspolczesny etc. The city’s life is rich in festivals, among which the most attractive are: Warsaw Film Festival, Warsaw Summer Jazz Days, Jewish Culture Festival, Warsaw Autumn (Warszawska Jesien), Old-Polish Music Festival, Garden Theaters Contest, Long Night of Museums.

Kazimierz Dolny - 1 day trip outside Warsaw

Kazimierz Dolny is without doubt an important and most beautifully situated tourist attraction in Poland. It enjoyed its greatest prosperity in the 16th and the first half of the 17th century, due to the trade in grain conducted along the river Vistula. Kazimierz Dolny is a considerable art centre in Poland where painters come to paint and sell their work. Streets are overflown with galleries offering sculptures, stained-glass, and fine-art paintings. Kazimierz Dolny lies just 1 hour drive from Warsaw.

Zelazowa Wola

Another charming place to visit just outside Warsaw. situated 50 km from Warsaw is the birthplace of Frederic Chopin. One may admire the picturesque Masovian landscape, including numerous winding streams surrounded by willows and hills. A peaceful and relaxing place ideal for a quite afternoon or a weekend trip.

Districts to visit in Warsaw

 Praga

Praga, a historical borough on the east bank of the river Vistula, used to be Warsaw's dark side until artists and musicians started occupying its abandoned warehouses and factories. The beautiful old buildings, rusting iron bars, marks of wartime bullets contrast with the delicate art nouveau facades. Praga streets burst with life .This is a neighbourhood of small shops, street markets and bohemian cafes, such as Fabryka Trzciny, Café Melon, W Oparach Absurdu and Porto Praga.

Powisle

Powisle (literally near-the-Vistula) is located between the Vistula river and its escarpment. Its three parts of proper Powisle, Mariensztat and Solec to the south commemorate the atmosphere of the pre-war Warsaw with part of original pre-war roads, buildings and cameral parques with historical statues and remains of old orchards. The whole district lies underneath the columns of one of the biggest bridges in Warsaw (Most Poniatowskiego) and is now famous for the newly opened Copernicus Centre.

Warsaw Old Town

The Old Town’ s central point is the King’s Castle from the 13th century and the Zygmunt’s Column being the most remarkable parts of it. Most of the area was destroyed by the Nazis during World War II but was meticulously rebuilt. The project was finally completed in the 1980s and was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. It is a lively place full of galleries, cafés and restaurants. From there one may take a walk to the Pilsudzki Square or the National Opera House.

Fun and facts about Warsaw

1.From the geographical point of view, Poland is not in the Eastern Europe. It is in the very centre of Europe.
2.In Poland the name day is considered more important than birthday.
3.Some Polish beer is 10% alcohol.
4.Tartare, traditional dish, was originally made by the horse riders who used to place a slice of raw beef under the saddle for extra tenderness.
5.The most popular name for a dog in Poland is Burek (meaning a brownish-grey colour)!
6.Nicolaus Copernicus, a Polish Astronomer, was the first person to propose that the earth was not the centre of the universe.
7.Marzanna is a tradition where people weave straw dolls and decorate them with ribbons and chuck them into the river. The tradition represents the end of winter, and the beginning of spring.
8.During Wianki people go to the riverbanks and float wreaths with candles on them on the water. If it floats to a woman on the other side, she’ll find love. If it circles three times, she’ll be unlucky.
9.Przystanek Woodstock is the biggest open-air rock festival in Europe.
10.In Poland, bananas are peeled from the blossom end, not from the stem end.
11.The symbol of Warsaw is the mermaid, which can be found on the coat of arms of Warsaw and on various statues throughout the city.
 

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