Warsaw is the city of which country. Where is Warsaw? Geographical location, history of the city and interesting facts

Warsaw is the capital of Poland, the largest city in the country. The city is located on both banks of the Vistula River, which flows into the Baltic Sea.

Story

On the territory of modern Warsaw, the first settlements appeared in the 9th century. Historians know the reliable names of three Slavic settlements that existed on the territory of the modern Polish capital - Brodno, Kamion and Yazdow. Brodno was destroyed in 1040, when the local Mazovian prince Miesław rebelled, Jazdów was destroyed in 1262 by troops of the Principality of Lithuania.

1313 is the year of documentary evidence of the existence of Warsaw. The city is mentioned for the first time in a written document.

At the beginning of the fifteenth century, Warsaw became the residence of the Masovian prince Janusz Mazowiecki.

The year 1515 became tragic for the city. The Russian-Lithuanian War was going on. The city was completely burned by Russian troops who pursued the retreating Lithuanians.

In 1526, by decree of the Polish king Sigismund I, Warsaw became part of the Kingdom of Poland.

In 1656, a new Polish state was formed - the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. The city of Warsaw became the official capital. The decree granting the city the status of capital was issued by the Polish king Sigismund III. It was during these times that Warsaw was captured and plundered by the Swedes for three years in a row. The Swedes took away many historical books and jewelry. The architecture of the city itself remained untouched until the occupation of Warsaw by the Nazis.

In 1697, an unusual period began in the history of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth - a German became the king of Poland. It was the Saxon Elector Frederick Augustus. He was not very worried about the fate of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth; he was more worried about the fate of his German Saxony. Under Frederick Augustus, many German-style houses appeared in Warsaw, boulevards and parks appeared, laid out according to the Saxon example.

After 7 years, the king's power was overthrown. The Polish gentry (szlachta is the commonly used term for the wealthy class of Polish society) chose a new king - the Poznan voivode Stanislaw Leszczynski. However, the course of the war changed in favor of the Swedes, who fought alongside the Saxons, and Frederick Augustus recaptured Warsaw. However, he suffered a second defeat, and then Stanislav Leshinsky undergoes an official coronation.

In 1707, Warsaw was captured by the Russian Empire. Russian Emperor Peter the Great himself comes to the city. Over the next 10 years, Warsaw was subject to Russian occupation several more times, until Sweden was defeated in the Northern War.

In 1708, the city was engulfed by a plague epidemic. And in 1713, the Vistula overflowed its banks and the city experienced severe flooding.

In 1772, the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth began to disintegrate, and the first repartition of the Polish state took place. There were three sections of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.

In 1811, on the way to Russia, the city was occupied by the French led by Napoleon Bonaparte.

In 1812, Russian troops, driving Napoleon from the Russian Empire back to the west, captured Warsaw. The country lost its independence and became part of the Russian Empire. For a hundred years, Russian occupation troops were in the Polish capital, until 1915.

The Kaiser's Germany moved its troops against the Russian Empire. Warsaw was occupied by the Germans. The German occupation lasted three years.

In 1918, the Kaiser's Germany weakened and most of its troops could no longer conduct active combat operations. The Germans left Warsaw calmly - they laid down their arms. At this time in Russia, the tsarist autocracy had already been overthrown and Bolshevik power was established. General Józef Pilsudski took command of the Warsaw garrison. And in 1920, according to Lenin’s decree, the USSR was formed. Finland and Poland refused to sign the union treaty and became independent states. Warsaw became the capital of independent Poland.

Until the Second World War in 1939, the city grew in population and size.

The Second World War brought disaster to Poland. The entire country was occupied by the Nazis. Warsaw found itself under Nazi occupation. The entire Jewish population was taken to Hitler's concentration camps - Auschwitz, Majdanek, Buchenwald. There was a Jewish ghetto in the city for five years.

During the war years the city was completely destroyed. There is not a single surviving historical building left. The city's population decreased threefold.

After the war, Warsaw was literally rebuilt from the ashes. It was especially difficult for the city to recover during the first 10 years after the war. Warsaw became the capital of socialist Poland.

In the eighties of the last century, the number of people dissatisfied with the socialist regime in Poland increased. There are demonstrations and strikes everywhere. An unknown electrician from Gdansk, Lech Walesa, managed to rally 10 million Poles! Nine years of struggle brought results - in 1990, the socialist regime in Poland collapsed and Warsaw began to develop as dynamically as Western capitals.

Today, Warsaw is in no way inferior in beauty and amenities to the leading capitals of Western Europe.

Map

Museums

Let's start with the most interesting sights of Warsaw. Let's start with museums.

National Museum in Warsaw – founded in 1862. The museum's collection includes a large collection of works of art from the Middle Ages to the present day. In addition, there is a large collection of coins from various historical periods. The museum is very interesting and well visited.

Polish Ethnographic Museum – founded in 1988. The main exhibition of the museum is an ancient Polish village. There are national costumes of Polish peasants and peasant utensils. The museum is suitable for viewing by people interested in world history.

National Archaeological Museum – another central museum in Warsaw. The museum is dedicated to the ancient and medieval history of Poland. The museum has a large number of exhibits related to the history of Poland. The museum was founded in 1923.

Warsaw is also famous for its musical traditions, as is Vienna. A great genius, the Polish composer Frederic Chopin, lived and worked here. There is his museum in the city. House-Museum of Frederic Chopin located in the very center of Warsaw. Here the composer lived and wrote his bestsellers. The museum's collection includes home furnishings of the great composer, sheet music, and a piano.

Museum of the History of the Polish People's Movement – it covers the history of the development of the Polish village and the history of the popular movement. There are canvases painted by Polish rural artists.

Another interesting Warsaw museum - Museum of the Polish Army - Polish Armed Forces . It shows the entire history of the development of the Polish armed forces, from the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth to the Second World War. The museum was founded by an outstanding Polish military leader, the first President of Poland, Jozef Pilsudski. There is a collection of ancient weapons, knightly armor, military uniforms, military maps, and military equipment. The museum is always crowded - there is something to see!

Waiting for literature lovers Literary Museum of Adam Mickiewicz. Adam Mickiewicz - the most famous Polish poet. Was founded in 1950. There are original manuscripts, valuables and documents of the great poet here.

Museum of the Warsaw Uprising of 1944 – here are many photographs dedicated to the Warsaw Uprising, which accelerated the liberation of Warsaw by Soviet troops from the Nazis in 1944.

Railway Museum – this is a great opportunity for lovers and fans of steel railways to look at the history of the development of Polish railways. There are models of steam locomotives, diesel locomotives and electric locomotives that were used on the railways of Poland.

Warsaw History Museum – located in the Old Town of the capital. This museum is entirely dedicated to the history of Warsaw. Here are collected paintings, drawings, photographs that depict the life of the Polish capital at different times.

Museum of Hunting and Horseback Riding - an unusual museum. Hunting rifles, ammunition, carriages and saddles that were used for hunting on horses are collected here. Hunters from all over the world love to visit this museum!

Caricature Museum – an original and fun museum in Warsaw. The works of Polish cartoonists are collected here.

Katyn Museum– an interesting museum dedicated to the brutal massacre of 25,000 Polish officers during the civil war. The crime was carried out on the personal order of I.V. Stalin.

Attractions

Now it's time to walk the streets of the Polish capital. Warsaw has a lot of beautiful palaces and is in no way inferior to Vienna or Prague in this regard! We will only walk through the main palaces, since there are about fifty of them here.

Royal Palace in Warsaw – was built in 1598 by the Polish king and Lithuanian prince Sigismund. The palace was destroyed by the Nazis during the war, but has now been completely restored. The palace houses a wonderful art gallery, where there are even original paintings by Rembrandt!

Lazienki Palace – located in the Lazienki Recreation Park. The palace was built by Stanisław Poniatowski in 1784.

Uyakhdovsky Palace – was built under the Polish king Sigismund III in 1659.

Belvedere Palace is the official residence of the President of Poland. It was built in 1824.

Wiglanów Palace – was built by the Polish king John III Sobieski in 1677.

Presidential palace – the unofficial residence of the current Polish president. The president and his family live in this palace.

The Polish kings had one weakness - each of them built his own palace. It is thanks to the kings that Warsaw has such a large number of beautiful palaces!

Now let's look at other interesting places in Warsaw. We head to the Old Town of Warsaw and walk through its ancient streets and squares. The Old Town in Warsaw dates back to the thirteenth century.

Castle Square – the square is located in the geographical center of the Polish capital. The Royal Palace is located nearby.

Krakowskie Przedmieście Avenue is a long pedestrian street in the center of Warsaw with fashion boutiques, nightclubs, beer bars, banks and souvenir shops. The avenue lives its busy life around the clock - there are always a lot of tourists here.

Market Square – the most central square in the Old Town of Warsaw. This is the historical square of Warsaw. A huge market was located here in the Middle Ages. Executions of criminals were also carried out here. The square is decorated with bright houses of various colors.

Józef Piłsudski Square is a square in the center of Warsaw. Nearby is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and the square itself is decorated with a monument to Marshal Pilsudski. Military parades of the Polish army have long been held here, and Józef Pilsudski, as commander, has hosted them several times.

Marshalkovskaya street - one of the central and busy streets of the city. There are a lot of buildings built in the socialist era, this is also a memory of Warsaw’s socialist past!

Now let's look at a couple more attractions in Warsaw.

Warsaw Citadel - This is a military building. Here, Polish soldiers fought off fascist attacks until the last moment. The entire garrison of the citadel died, repeating the fate of Belarusian Brest.

Barbican fortress wall – a remnant of the medieval fortress wall that once surrounded the Old Town. Once upon a time, the entire Old City was completely surrounded by a double fortress wall with several watchtowers. The walls were built in 1598.

Memorial sign on the site of the Jewish ghetto in Warsaw - reminds us of how ruthlessly the Nazis dealt with the Jews of Warsaw. During the war, several thousand Jews died in the ghetto from hunger, cold and disease.

Religious buildings

Warsaw is one of the most religious European capitals. There are a large number of churches of various directions, as well as several synagogues and a mosque:

— Alexander Nevsky Cathedral;

- Church of Mary Magdalene;

- Church of Peter and Paul;

- Church in the name of St. Martinian;

- Church of St. Anne;

- Cathedral of Our Lady of Victory;

- Church of St. Elizabeth;

- Church of St. James;

— Jesuit church;

- Church of St. John;

- Church of St. Joseph;

- Cathedral of St. John the Baptist;

- Basilica of the Holy Cross;

— Cathedral of St. Mary Magdalene Equal to the Apostles;

- Church of St. Martin;

— Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord (Warsaw);

- Temple of Divine Providence;

— Church of St. Casimir;

— Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary;

— Church of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary;

- Warsaw Cathedral Mosque;

- Warsaw Synagogue.

Monuments

Warsaw is a city that abounds in beautiful monuments. The main ones:

— a monument to Adam Mickiewicz, a Polish poet;

- monument to the heroes of the Warsaw ghetto;

— a monument to Nicolaus Copernicus, a Polish astronomer;

— monument to Fryderyk Chopin;

— monument to Jozef Piłsudski;

— monument to Taras Shevchenko;

— monument to Prince Józef Poniatowski;

— a monument to Tadeusz Kosciuszko, a Polish national hero;

- a monument to an alcoholic;

— a monument to American President Ronald Reagan;

— a monument to the Polish king Sigismund;

— a monument to the Polish king Jan Sobieski;

— a monument to the writer Janusz Korczak;

Stations

Let's take a look at Warsaw train stations. There are three of them in Warsaw:

- Warsaw-Centralna;

— Warsaw-Zachodnia (Warsaw-West);

- Warsaw-Wschodnia (Warsaw-East).

Warsaw Central Station is located underground, just like in Brussels. International trains pass through all three stations, but most international trains stop at Warsaw Central Station. From Warsaw by train you can go to Berlin, Amsterdam, Brussels, Paris, Vienna, Prague, Bratislava, Budapest, Bucharest, Sofia, Munich, Brest, Minsk, Smolensk, Moscow, Vilnius, Kaliningrad, Pskov, St. Petersburg, Lviv, Ternopil , Khmelnitsky, Odessa, Kiev, Rivne, Lutsk, Poltava, Kharkov, Rostov-on-Don (summer), Krasnodar (summer), Adler (summer), Dnepropetrovsk, Simferopol.

Parks

Warsaw is a city of beautiful parks. Let's take a walk with them.

Lazienki Park– the best park in Warsaw. It contains several beautiful palaces built at different times by different Polish kings, several temples, monuments and picturesque ponds. Lazienki is an ideal place for relaxing in nature - there are many walking alleys, flower beds and benches. Skateboarders and local cyclists love to race in Lazienki. On the territory of the park there are several more attractions that are not described above in this article: the Egyptian Castle, the Warsaw Astronomical Observatory, the Ujazdowski Palace.

Saxon Gardens Park – was founded during the reign of Frederick Augustus. There are really a lot of fruit-bearing trees here - apple and cherry trees.

Water park– located on the Vistula. It is good to relax here with children - there are many water attractions.

Markets

To fully get acquainted with the Polish capital, we will visit food and flea markets.

Ruzicki's Bazaar- This is the most famous Warsaw market. Here you can always buy fresh fruits and vegetables, fish, milk and meat.

Warsaw flea market Kolo is a Mecca for flea market lovers. Antique coins, cameras, pianos, grand pianos, chairs, cabinets, antique sofas, porcelain, paintings - everything can be purchased at the Kolo market! The market is very reminiscent of a Russian or Ukrainian clothing flea market.

Climate

In conclusion - about the climate of Warsaw. Winters are snowy and frosty, but days with severe frost (-15 degrees and below) are rare in winter. Snow cover lasts almost the entire winter. Summer is warm, with hot days when the temperature rises above +30 degrees. They swim in Warsaw in the Vistula River and in the ponds of Lazienki Park. The water is already warm at the beginning of summer. They swim for three months - from June to August.

WARSAW (Warszawa), the capital of Poland, the administrative center of the Masovian Voivodeship. Population 1735.4 thousand people. (2015; approx. 1.3 million people in 1939; 162 thousand people in January 1945; 804 thousand people in 1950; approx. 1.3 million in 1970). Together with numerous suburbs (Legionowo - to the north, Wolomin and Radzymin - to the northeast, Minsk Mazowiecki - to the east, Otwock - to the southeast, Piaseczno - to the south, Pruszkow - to the west, etc.) it forms an agglomeration with population approx. 3.2 million people (2013; approx. 8% of the country's population). Located in the central part of the Mazowieckie-Podlaskie Lowland, in the so-called. Warsaw Basin, on both banks of the Vistula River. One of the largest transport hubs in Europe: 3 international highways (including Berlin - Warsaw - Moscow and " Via Baltica » Helsinki – Tallinn – Riga – Kaunas – Warsaw – Wroclaw – Prague), 6 national highways and 14 voivodeship roads; 3 international railway highways (Berlin – Warsaw – Moscow, Rome – Vienna – Warsaw – Gdansk, Budapest – Warsaw), a total of 7 railways. lines, there are 6 railway lines in the city. stations. Navigation on the Vistula River. International airports: named after F. Chopin (1934; former Okecze, modern name since 2001; within the city, 10 km south of its center; 10.6 million passengers in 2014) and Modlin (2012; 36 km north -west; 1.7 million passengers). Babice Airport (Bemowo; within the city, 7 km northwest of its center; used by transport and private aviation; the Polish Air Rescue Service and the Warsaw Aero Club are based here). Metropolitan (1995). Tram (1908).

Originally a fishing village, later a trade and craft settlement called Warszowa. Supposedly ok. 1300 a burg and a city were founded on its territory (first mentioned in 1313). All R. 14th century the city was surrounded by a fortress wall. In 1413–1526 the capital of the Duchy of Mazovia. From the end 16th century capital of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth (since 1596 residence of the king). V. was severely destroyed during the Polish-Swedish war of 1655–60 and during the suppression of the Polish uprising of 1794. As a result of the 3rd partition of Poland (1795), it was transferred to Prussia. In 1807–14 the capital Duchy of Warsaw, from 1815 – Kingdom of Poland. During World War I, it was occupied by German troops (1915–18). Since 1918 the capital of the Polish Republic. During World War II it was occupied by German troops (since September 1939). Center Warsaw Uprising 1943 And Warsaw Uprising 1944. During the latter it was almost completely destroyed. In January 1945 it was liberated by Soviet and Polish troops.

A significant part of the city's area is occupied by forests, parks and water bodies. On the high left bank of the Vistula is the historical core of V. - the districts of Stare Miasto and Nowe Miasto with a central market square in each. In Stare Miasto with a rectangular layout: fortress walls (14th–15th centuries) with a pre-gate fortification - a “barbican” (1548, architect G. Battista di Venezia), houses of the 15th–18th centuries. with decorative sculpture and sgraffito, Gothic hall church of St. John the Baptist (14th-16th centuries), St. Martin's churches (1356, Gothic tower - 15th century, Baroque facade - 1744), Jesuits (1609-26); on Castle Square - the Royal Castle (1599–1619; on the site of a 14th century Gothic castle; destroyed in 1939–44; restored in the 1970s), the column of Sigismund III (1643–44, architect K. Tencalla, sculptor K. Molly). In Nowe Miasto (founded at the beginning of the 15th century): churches of the Dominicans (1605–38, architect Jan Wloch), Franciscans (1679–1732), Sacramento (1688–92, architect Tylman Gamerski), Holy Spirit (15th century ., 1707–17), the Sapieha palace in the Rococo style (1744). In the 17th–18th centuries. construction was carried out mainly along Krakowskie Przedmieście Street, along which the Royal Route led to the palace and park ensembles Lazienki And Wilanow. Among the buildings in the Baroque and Classicist styles are the following palaces: Krasiński (1676–97, architects J. Bellotti, Tylman Gamerski), Czartoryski-Potocki (1730–40, architect J. Fontana; late 18th century), “Under the plaque” ( 17–18 centuries), Kazimierzki (1634, 1824; now the building of the rector's office of the University of Warsaw), Koniecpolski - Radziwill (1643–45; 1818–1819, architect H. P. Aigner; now the building of the Council of Ministers), Staszyca (1820–23 , architect A. Corazzi; now the building of the Polish Academy of Sciences); Ujazdowski Castle (17th century, restored in 1973; now the building of the Museum of Modern Art); churches: St. Anne (from 1454; façade – 1788, architects H. P. Aigner, S. K. Potocki), St. Cross (1679–1754, architects J. Bellotti, J. Fontana, I. D. Yauch) , business cards (1727–62, architects K. Bye, E. Schröger). From the beginning 19th century a new center of V. is being formed to the west of Krakowskie Przedmieście Street with regular blocks and ensembles in the style of late classicism: Theater Square with the opera house building "Theater Wielki"(1825–32, architects Aigner and A. Corazzi), Bank Square with the buildings of the State Commission of Parishes and the Treasury (1823–25, architect Corazzi; now City Hall) and the Polish Bank (1828–30, architects Corazzi and J. J. Guy ) and others. Citadel (1832–35). From ser. 19th century new neighborhoods appear on the outskirts and in the right bank district of Prague (in the center of the latter is the Russian Church of St. Mary Magdalene, 1867–68, architect N. A. Sychev, engineer D. P. Palitsyn), contrasting with the ceremonial buildings of the city center: in historical styles(building of the Zemstvo Credit Society, 1856–1858, architects H. Marconi, J. Gurecki), in the Art Nouveau styles (Poniatowski Bridge, 1905–13, architect S. Schiller; building of the Polish Theater, 1912, architect C. Przybylski) and functionalism ( Post Office building, 1935, architect Yu. Puterman-Sadlovsky). During World War II, Vladimir was heavily destroyed. According to the reconstruction project of 1946, a new center was built in the area of ​​​​Marszalkowska Street with the ensemble of Constitution Square (1949–52, architects J. Sigalin, S. Jankowski, J. Knote, Z. Stempinski) and the Palace of Culture and Science (1952–55, Soviet architects L . IN. Rudnev, I. E. Rozhin, A. F. Khryakov, A. P. Velikanov, chief engineer V. N. Nasonov; high 234 m) in the style of Soviet neoclassicism. Central Station building (1972–75, architect A. Romanovich). The historical center of V. is included in the list World Heritage in 1980. Monuments to: A. Mickiewicz (1898, sculptor C. Godebski), J. Poniatowski (1829, installed in 1923), N. Copernicus (1828–30; both sculptor B. Thorvaldsen), F. Chopin in Lazienki Park (1907–26, sculptor V. Shimanovsky), heroes of the ghetto (1948, sculptor N. Rapoport, architect L. Suzin), memorial ensemble of the cemetery of Soviet Army soldiers (1950, architect B. Lyakhert, sculptors E. Yarnushkevich, S. Lisovsky) , “To the Heroes of Warsaw. 1939–45" (1964, sculptor M. Konechny).

The main scientific, educational and cultural center of the country. Polish Academy of Sciences (1952), scientific societies and centers, research institutes (about 40 in the system of the Polish Academy of Sciences and over 100 departmental ones). There are 76 universities in the city, including universities: Warsaw (1816), medical (1809), music named after F. Chopin (1810), natural sciences (1816), technological (1915), named after Cardinal S. Wyszynski (1999) ; academy: fine arts (1904), physical culture named after J. Pilsudski (1929), theater named after A. Zelverowicz (1932), military-technical (1951), national defense (1990), finance (1991), etc.; 17 economic (including the Main School of Economics, 1906) and 8 theological universities. The largest private universities: Lazarsky University (1993) and Collegium Civitas (1997), the L. Kozminsky Academy (1993) and the Polish-Japanese Computer Technology (1994), the Higher School of Social Psychology (1996), etc. A total of 195 libraries; leading – National Library (1928; 9.6 million items), city public library (1907; approx. 1.5 million items), Seimas Library (1919; approx. 0.5 million items) and other Archives: State V. (1792), ancient acts (1808), Central Armed Forces (1918), etc.

There are 61 museums. National Museum (1862; in the building 1927–38, architect T. Tolwiński; collection of ancient oriental, ancient, medieval art, Polish and European painting) with branches: Museum of the sculptor K. Dunikowski (in the building of the Palace"Krolikarnia"; 1782–86, architect D. Merlini), Poster Museum, etc. Royal Castle; collections of palaces in Wilanów and Lazienki. Other museums include ethnographic (1888), Polish Army (1920), archaeological (1923; in the building of the Royal Arsenal, 1643), Warsaw (1936), railway. transport (history dates back to 1928; 1972), literary museum named after A. Mickiewicz (1952), F. Chopin (1955; in the Ostrogski castle, late 17th century), caricatures (1978), collection named after John Paul II (1989; in building 1825, architect A. Corazzi), independence (1990; in the Przebendowski Palace, ca. 1730) with branches (Pawiak Prison Museum, X Pavilion of the Warsaw Citadel, etc.), Warsaw Uprising (2004), modern art (2005) , history of Poland (2006), history of Polish Jews (2013), etc. Art galleries: “Zachęta” (1860), Center for Contemporary Art “Zamek Ujazdowski” (1985), etc. Science Center “Kopernik” (2010).

There are 35 theaters in the city, including the Bolshoi - National Opera (1778; opera and ballet), Warsaw Chamber Opera (1961); National (1765), Polish named after A. Szyfman (1913), “Ateneum” named after S. Jaracz (1927), “Powszechny” (1944), City Drama (history dates back to 1949, as a drama from 1957), “Studio” ( 1972; all - dramatic); "Komedia" (1954), Musical "Roma" (1954), "TR Warszawa" (former Variety Theater, 1972), puppet shows, etc. National Philharmonic (1901; inactive in 1939–55; with philharmonic orchestra). Palace of Culture and Science (1952–55, architect L.V. Rudnev; with the largest concert hall).

Annual international festivals: contemporary music"Warsaw Autumn" (since 1956), jazz “Jazz Jamboree” (since 1958) and “Warsaw Summer Jazz Days” (since 1992), “Warsaw Theater Meetings” (since 1965), film festival (since 1985), musical “Chopin and His Europe” ( since 2005), street art. Annual national festivals: Mozart (since 1991), early music, Warsaw Autumn of Poetry (since 1971). International competitions: pianists named after F. Chopin (since 1927, since 1949 held once every 5 years), vocalists named after S. Moniuszka (since 1998, once every 3 years).

Botanical gardens of the University of Warsaw (1818) and the Polish Academy of Sciences (1990). Zoo (1928). There are a total of 82 city parks (8% of the city’s area), including the Saxon Garden (1724–48), Ujazdowski Park (1893), park ensembles in Lazienki and Wilanów, etc.

Football clubs: Legia (1916; 11-time champion of Poland; plays at the Polish Army stadium» (named after Marshal J. Pilsudski); 1930, reconstruction 2008–11; 31.1 thousand seats), “Polonia” (1911; hosts opponents at the stadium named after General K. Sosnkowski, 1928; 7.2 thousand seats) and “Gwardia” (1948; winner of the Polish Cup 1954); basketball clubs: “Legia” (performs at the multifunctional arena “Kolo”), “Polonia Warszawa” and “Politechnika” (1916; both perform at the indoor arena “TorwarI”; 1953; 4.8 thousand seats; in 2001 it was held final of the Soporta Cup), volleyball club "Politechnika". National Stadium (2011; 58.1 thousand seats); hippodrome (1939), open speed skating track "Stegny" (1979), water park "Warsawianka" with an Olympic swimming pool (1999), etc. Traditional international track and field memorials for J. Kusoczyński (since 1954) and a marathon (since 1979) are held annually in Vladivostok. ) and half marathon (since 2006); In 1995–2010, the Warsaw Open tennis tournament was held. World championships were also held: in weightlifting (2002), volleyball (2014), modern pentathlon (2014), sumo (2010), junior speed skating (2015), etc.; European championships: figure skating (2007), team badminton (2010), football (2012), chess - individual (2005) and team (2013), sumo (2014), karate among adults and children (2015 ); European Judo Cup (2015) and other competitions. V. was elected European Capital of Sports 2008.

The most important economic center of the country. 12.9% of Poland's GDP is created in Poland (2012). The basis of the city economy is the service sector (87.1% of employees, 2013); its leading sectors: administrative, financial, transport and logistics and other business services, trade, culture, research activities, education, healthcare and tourism business. The city is home to the National Bank of Poland (Central Bank; 1945), the Warsaw Stock Exchange (1991; the only one in Poland, the largest in Central and Eastern Europe), and the headquarters of 40 of the country's 100 leading industrial companies ("Polskie Górnictwo Naftowe i Gazownictwo", PGNiG – oil and gas industry; Polska Grupa Energetyczna, PGE – electric power industry; "Polski Holding Obronny", PHO, former "Bumar" - military products; etc.), 40 of the 50 largest national monetary institutions (PKO Bank Polski, Bank Pekao, mBank, ING PTE, Aviva PTE, etc.), major national insurance companies (Grupa PZU, Grupa Warta, etc.) and telecommunications companies (Orange Polska, Polkomtel, T-Mobile Polska, etc.), branches of the world's leading consulting and auditing companies: American Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, A. T. Kearney" and "McKinsey & Company", British "Ernst & Young" and "Pricewaterhouse Coopers", Dutch KPMG, Irish "Accenture", etc. Also in V. - Polish Radio (since 1926), Polish Television (since 1952), several other television companies and approx. 30 private radio stations; editorial offices of national newspapers and magazines. Every year the city is visited by approx. 2.7 million tourists, including St. 1 million foreign. The main types of tourism: cultural, educational and event. Numerous international trade, industrial and other exhibitions are held, including the annual “Elektrotechnika” (electrical engineering), “Automaticon” (automation and robotization of production processes), “Eurolab” (laboratory equipment), “CrimeLab” (forensic technology ), "Petrol Station" (oil industry), "Oil & Gas Warsaw" (oil and gas industry), "WorldHotel" (hotel equipment), "TT Warsaw" (tourism business), "EuroGastro" (catering establishments), “WorldFood Warsaw” (food products), international book fair, etc. The main exhibition complexes are “Centrum Expo XXI” (2001; total area over 20 thousand m 2 ), "Centrum MT Polska" (2008; 15.2 thousand m 2 ) and “Warsaw Expo” (2015; 43 thousand m 2 ), Palace of Culture and Science, etc.

8.6% of workers are employed in industry (2013), in construction – 4.3%. There are 26.8 thousand industrial enterprises (2013); The most developed branches of the manufacturing industry are those focused on the production of final products. Among the leading industries are food processing (30.6 thousand employees, 2013), mechanical engineering and metalworking (22.2 thousand), perfumery, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals (7.3 thousand), production of plastic and rubber products (5. 8 thousand), printing (5.4 thousand) and sewing (2.1 thousand). The most important enterprises in the power engineering, electrical and electronic industries are the factories of the following companies: Swedish-Swiss ABB (formerly " Zakład Wytwórczy Aparatury Rozdzielczej", ZWAR; high-voltage equipment), JM Tronik (industrial electrical equipment), Medcom (uninterruptible power supply systems and traction converters),"Technokabel" ( cable equipment), "Perun" (welding equipment), "Wamel" (electric motors), " PIT - Radwar "(electronic equipment for military purposes; division of the state defense company " Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa ", PGZ) and German " Siemens" (formerly " Zakład Wytwórczу Urządzeń Telefonicznych", ZWUT ; telecommunications equipment). Instrumentation is represented by the production of microscopes (company "PZO Mikroskopy i wyroby optyczne"), military optoelectronics systems ("Przemysłowe Centrum Optyki", PCO; PGZ department), aircraft manufacturing - PZL-130 "Orlik" training aircraft for the NATO army, wings, doors and seats for transport aircraft C-295 and CN-235, door blocks, electrical harnesses, etc. for the passenger aircraft A-320 (“PZL Warszawa – Okęcie”; a branch of the European concern “Airbus Group”). V. enterprises also produce precision metal-cutting machines (plants of the companies "Avia" and "Warszawska Fabryka Obrabiarek", WAFO), fuel injection systems ("Wuzetem"), passenger elevators ("Warszawska Fabryka Dźwigów Translift"), pumping equipment for water management and various industries - mining, chemical, petrochemical and electricity ("Grupa Powen - Wafapomp"), etc.

Among the most important enterprises of the chemical industry are the factories of the companies " Polfa Warszawa", "Polfa Tarchomin", "Biomed" and Slovenian " KRKA "(all are pharmaceuticals), "Pollena-Aroma" and the French "L"Oréal" in the village of Kani southwest of V. (both are perfumes and cosmetics), the American "Procter & Gamble Company" (personal hygiene products ), " Anser "(glue, paints, primer, etc.). V. with its suburbs is one of the largest centers of the clothing industry in the country (along with Lodz) (products are produced in small factories). An important role is played by ferrous metallurgy, which is represented by one of the most modern conversion plants in Europe of the Luxembourg company ArcelorMittal (formerly Huta Warszawa). Large enterprises of the food and flavoring industry are located mainly in the suburbs of Vietnam; in the city itself there are only a dairy plant of the French company Danone and confectionery factories Lotte Wedel and Z. P. C. Mieszko.” In the vicinity of V. - processing of vegetables and fruits (plant of the company " Dawtona" in the western suburb of Blonie, German "Binder International" in the southern suburb of Tarcin, " Provitus "in the northeastern suburb of Radzymin, etc.), productionseasonings and food concentrates (Kamis plant in the southwestern suburb of Mlochów), instant coffee (German Tschibo in the northeastern suburb of Marki),soft drinks (Greek plantCoca-Cola HBC" in Radzymin), meat,dairy products, etc. Companies producing bakery and confectionery products, strong alcoholic drinks and beer are located mainly in the western suburbs of V.

The energy supply to V. is provided by 5 thermal power plants, the largest of which are the Siekierki thermal power plant (thermal power 2081 MW, electrical power 622 MW, the largest in the country), Żerań (1580 and 386 MW, respectively) and Kawęczyn (thermal power 512 MW; everyone runs on coal).

Adjacent to the east to the north-west is the Kampino National Park (area 38.5 thousand hectares; since 2000 a monument

Warsaw from A to Z: map, hotels, attractions, restaurants, entertainment. Shopping, shops. Photos, videos and reviews about Warsaw.

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Warsaw is the capital of Poland and the largest city in Europe. Having survived many shocks and conquests, she carefully preserved to this day the most valuable things from each of her eras. People come to Warsaw to wander the streets of the Old Town and the picturesque embankments of the Vistula, stroll through the vast Lazienki Park and see the Church of the Holy Cross, where Chopin’s heart rests. Despite the fact that the city was almost completely destroyed during the Second World War, its historical quarters have reliably recreated the appearance and atmosphere of antiquity. The Royal Castle, St. John the Baptist's Cathedral and other iconic buildings were restored from 17th and 18th century designs.

At the beginning of the last century, Warsaw was called the Paris of the East for its beauty and originality.

The capital of Poland attracts not only connoisseurs of architecture and history buffs, but also lovers of shopping and vibrant nightlife. And everyone will want to get acquainted with such gastronomic attractions as “bigos” and “flyaki” accompanied by traditional “zubrovka” or local beer.

How to get to Warsaw

The fastest way to get to the Polish capital is to use air travel. Planes between Moscow and Warsaw operate 4 times a day, and there are direct flights from St. Petersburg. The journey by rail will take 19 hours - a branded train runs daily from the Belorussky railway station in Moscow. Warsaw bus stations accept buses from all European destinations, including Moscow. This trip option is the longest, but also the cheapest.

For more information on how to get to Warsaw, read this page.

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Districts of Warsaw

Warsaw, like all major historical cities, stands on a river, and its name is Vistula. The river divides the capital of Poland into two parts, flowing from north to south. On the left bank is the old city with most of the attractions and hotels, the right bank is less interesting for tourists, there are residential areas.

The center of Warsaw includes the districts of Srodmiescie, Wola, Mokotow, Zoliborz, Ochota, Praga Połnoc and Praga Południe - a mix of modern architecture, industrial "bald spots" and fashionable residential areas.

Northern Warsaw consists of the undistinguished districts of Bielany and Białołeka. Western Warsaw consists of the Bemowo, Włochy and Ursus districts, and also has little interesting to show the tourist.

But in the south of the city (Ursynow and Wilanow) you can see the Wilanow Palace. And in Ursynow there is a historical national park and reserve, which houses the European College in the building of the Potocki Palace. And finally, Eastern Warsaw, where travelers have nothing to do, consisting of the districts of Targowek, Rembertow, Wawer and Wesoła.

Transport

Warsaw public transport includes buses, trams and metro. The first ones run according to a schedule, at each stop there is a schedule of routes, and it is also written which bus arrives at a certain time - a regular one or a low-floor one (for those in a wheelchair). Tickets cost from 3.40 to 7 PLN, daily ticket price - 15-26 PLN (depending on the coverage area), weekend ticket (from 19:00 Friday to 8:00 Monday) - 24 PLN, 3-day ticket - 36-57 PLN. They are all universal, there is no division by type of transport, but they must be composted. It makes sense to purchase a subscription only if you plan to stay in Warsaw for a month (110 PLN). For a group of up to 5 people, it is profitable to buy a group weekend ticket for 40 PLN. Prices on the page are for April 2019.

Tickets can be purchased at kiosks or from the driver (payment will be required in “fractional”, that is, in small change).

Bicycle lovers will love Warsaw - the city is flat, there are bike paths everywhere. From March 1 to November 30, the Veturilo bicycle sharing system operates - 368 stations and about 5,319 bicycles, including children's, electric and tandem bicycles. Those wishing to use it must register on the website and pay an initial fee of 10 PLN. You can ride for free for 20 minutes, and then time-based pricing begins (from 21 to 60 minutes - 1 PLN, the second hour - 3 PLN, the third - 5 PLN, the fourth and each subsequent hour - 7 PLN; prices for electric bicycle rental are higher). The terms and conditions can be found at the official website. website.

Maps of Warsaw

Rent a Car

The offices of large international car rental companies, such as Hertz, Europcar, Avis, Budget, are located in the arrivals hall of the airport. Frederic Chopin. They do not work around the clock, so it is impossible to rent a car at night. It is more profitable to book a car in advance via the Internet - the price will be lower and there will be more choice. In general, there should be no problems with renting - there are many rental points in the city.

The traffic jams that Warsaw residents complain about cannot be compared with those in the capital - they are more likely to be traffic jams lasting 5-10 minutes.

There are parking lots in the center, but they are more expensive than on the outskirts. There are park-and-ride stations near the metro stations - you can leave your car there and continue your trip by public transport. In the city center, parking is paid from 8:00 Monday to 18:00 Friday. The first hour costs 0.50 EUR, the second and third, etc. - a little more. Warsaw parking meters are no different from Moscow ones.

Communications and Wi-Fi

There are 4 main cellular operators in Poland: Play, T-Mobile, Orange and Plus. They offer a variety of tariffs - in addition to communications, the package of services also includes mobile Internet. You can purchase SIM cards from operators at official representative offices. Foreigners must present a passport with a valid visa when purchasing. You can top up your phone account via the Internet or at any grocery store at the checkout - to do this, just name the amount and mobile operator. The receipt received after payment will contain a USSD code - in order for the money to be credited, it must be entered from your phone.

Free Wi-Fi is available in almost all hotels in Warsaw - at least in the lobby area. Internet access is also provided by many cafes and restaurants - McDonald's, KFC, Pizza Hut, Starbucks and Costa Coffee. You can freely connect to the Internet in the Old Town and Krakowskie Przedmiescie, at train stations, airports, libraries and parks.

One day in the life of the city of Warsaw

Warsaw Hotels

The best hotels in Warsaw are located near the Central Railway Station. Five-star comfort includes a good location - the Old Town is just 20 minutes on foot. The cost of a standard double room in the Warsaw “five” is from 450 PLN. The most luxurious hotel is considered to be one with a rich historical past - Bristol Warsaw, next to the Presidential Palace - rooms cost from 700 PLN.

Another interesting area for living is Śródmieście. This area between the Central Station and the Vistula River is notable for its early 20th century architecture. There are mainly apartments here, where it is profitable for families or large groups to stay for a long time. A spacious apartment with two bedrooms and a kitchen can be rented for 220-400 PLN per day. An overnight stay in the Old Town - the most beautiful and authentic place in Warsaw - will cost the same.

Those tourists who consider Warsaw as a transit point will find it convenient to stay in one of the airport hotels. Budget option - from 140 to 300 PLN per day.

Shopping

Shopping in Warsaw can be postponed until Sunday - most malls are open on this day. The most popular supermarkets are located in the center: the Golden Terraces shopping center near the railway station, the Arcadia shopping center near the Dworzec Gdanski metro station and the Mokotov Gallery between Wilanow and the center. In addition to popular global chain brands, they feature Polish stores where you should pay attention to knitwear, clothing, shoes, leather goods and jewelry.

A local cosmetic product that is always popular among Polish women of all ages is Tisane honey-vanilla lip balm. It is inexpensive and sold at any pharmacy.

Traditionally, Polish cosmetics are brought from Warsaw - there are many inexpensive and popular brands. They can be found in the Rossmann and Super-Pharm chain stores. “Delicious” souvenirs are sold in all major shopping centers - chocolate, tea, cheeses, sausages in beautiful retro-style packaging are offered by the Krakowski Kredens brand (website with English version). Fans of budget shopping should pay attention to the market-fair “Marivilska 44” - this is a huge indoor market with an assortment of inexpensive goods. It is recommended to make profitable purchases at the Factory-Urus and Factory-Annopolis outlets - during the sales period, discounts on discounted collections of your favorite companies reach 80%.

Cuisine and restaurants of Warsaw

For everyday food in Warsaw, Bar Mleczny milk bars are the best choice. These unpretentious-looking establishments offer delicious home-cooked food at affordable prices. The menu only includes egg and milk dishes, no meat or alcohol. The Familijny bar is considered the most popular and one of the most inexpensive. It is located on the Novy Svet promenade - to get into it you will have to wait in line. In addition, on weekdays even reputable restaurants offer set lunches for 10-15 PLN. International fast food chains in the Polish capital are represented by KFC, Burger King, McDonald's and Dunkin' Donuts.

Many establishments, such as Polka, prepare national dishes; here you can enjoy local delicacies - try “zhurka”, “tartar” or “bigos”.

Vegetarians will be able to eat in a cafe with the telling name “The Cow is Alive” (Krowarzywa).

Dumplings, called pies in Poles, are worth trying at the Zapiecek brand chain. The chain of fast and healthy food restaurants North Fish serves fish dishes with a variety of side dishes and salads; Asian food is offered by the Duza Mi-ha chain. Coffee in Warsaw is sold on every corner for 8-16 PLN; a popular chain of coffee shops is Green Cafe Nero. Galeria wypiekow, Pialna czekolady and Cukiernia Sowa specialize in desserts and baked goods. Ice cream lovers should look out for the Grycan sign, a chain of shops selling ice cream and other sweet treats.

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The best photos of Warsaw

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The heart of Warsaw, Stare Miasto, cannot boast of its large size - it is not difficult to walk around the Old Town in a couple of hours. It ends with a popular tourist street - Krakowskie Przedmieście, which is decorated with many notable buildings - the Tyszkiewicz and Czapski palaces, the oldest hotel "Bristol", the Academy of Fine Arts, monuments to Poniatowski, Mickiewicz and Prus. There are musical benches along its entire length.

All objects of the Old Town were rebuilt with great love and attention. For this, it is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List as an example of reliable restoration and reconstruction of destroyed heritage.

After sitting on the steps of the ancient amphitheater and walking through the shady alleys of gardens from the 18th to 20th centuries, head to Lazienki Krolewskie, Warsaw's most famous park complex and one of the places untouched by the war. Free admission. Another free entertainment is Fountain Park. In the summer, multimedia shows are held here on Fridays and Saturdays.

It will tell about the life of this unique scientist, in whose honor a chemical element is even named. In Łazienki there is the Chopin Museum, which displays the great composer's handwritten scores and musical instruments, as well as his personal belongings, death mask and handprint.

One of the most beautiful Warsaw buildings depicted on postcards is the House under the Lion.

The best observation deck is located on the Polish “Stalinist” high-rise building - the Palace of Culture and Science, and the most beautiful view of Castle Square opens from the Church of St. Anne. Another place at the “height” is the botanical garden on the roof of the Warsaw Library.

5 things to do in Warsaw

1. Take a photo at the symbol and oldest monument of the city - the Little Mermaid sculpture.
August

September

October

november

December

Summer in Warsaw can be either very hot or quite mild, Central European, in a word, everything is like in Moscow. It is worth keeping in mind that most hotels do not have air conditioning. In the evening, on the contrary, you may need a jacket. Winters in the Polish capital are quite severe; there are also snowfalls, which slow down traffic a little, but decorate the city with exquisite white lace. The hottest month is July; January is usually cold.

The Mazovian princes were the first rulers of Warsaw, a fortress they built in the 14th century. The strategic importance of the city's location led to the capital being moved from Krakow to Warsaw in 1596, after the union between Poland and Lithuania. And although Krakow remained the cultural and spiritual capital of Poland, the political and cultural center in Warsaw began to grow rapidly; Wide boulevards and palace-like houses begin to appear around the small Old and New Towns.

Historical photographs of Warsaw

XVIII century characterized by a catastrophic decline for the Polish state as a whole, Warsaw flourished at this time. During that period, a large number of beautiful churches, palaces and parks were built, culture and art were constantly developing. The first, albeit short-lived, European constitution was written in Warsaw in 1791.

In the 19th century Warsaw lost its former position and became an ordinary provincial city of the Russian Empire. After World War I, it once again became the prosperous capital of independent Poland. As a result of the uprising in 1944, the city was destroyed and the few surviving Warsaw residents were forced to evacuate. At the end of the war, the residents of Warsaw returned to their capital and began to restore its historical center.

After the fall of communism, and especially after Poland joined the EU, Warsaw experienced an economic boom that completely changed its economy.

Old Town and Market Square

Old city (Stare Miasto) Warsaw is remarkable in its own right, even if it had not been fully restored after being destroyed during World War II. How extensive was the destruction? Some historians estimate that 85% of the Old City was destroyed. It is impossible not to admire the fact that just 30 years after the end of the war, the Old Town was completely revived - with great attention to the architecture, aesthetics and soul of Warsaw. Competition for restoration projects was very high, and all resources were directed to Warsaw, often at the expense of other cities.

It’s incredible, but the Old Town with its medieval street layout and Renaissance facades looks authentic. The reconstructed quarters are a real monument to the people who refused to admit they were defeated, despite the fact that the city's population had decreased by 2/3. Most of the buildings in the historical center date from the 1950s, but in 1980 the Old Town was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

It’s probably best to start your tour of Warsaw at the entrance to the Old Town on Castle Square (Plac Zamkowy). Here, against the backdrop of pastel-painted residential buildings with red-tiled roofs, stands a column with a bronze statue of King Sigismund - it was he who moved the capital to Warsaw. The fortress wall that once surrounded the Old Town was demolished in the 19th century, but fragments of it were preserved on one side of the square.

The main object of the square is the Royal Castle, dating back to the 13th century. (Zamek Krolewski, pl. Zamkowy 4, open: Mon-Sat 10.00-16.00, Sun 11.00-16.00, entrance fee). Among the many richly decorated rooms, the main one is the Senatorial Hall, where Warsaw landscapes from the 18th century are exhibited. works by Bernardo Bellotto (nephew of Canaletto).

Interiors of the Royal Palace

To the west of the Royal Road, deep in the Saxon Gardens, lies the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The monument, opened in 1925, is located in the only fragment of a 17th-century Saxon palace that survived the German bombing. The adjacent office building was designed by the famous British architect Norman Foster.

To the south of the Potocki Palace, the entrance to the grounds of the University of Warsaw is marked by a beautiful gate with a traditional Polish eagle at the top. It is the most prestigious of the capital's higher education institutions, the eternal rival of the Jagiellonian University in Krakow. Several buildings are former palaces, and the oldest dates from 1634.

Saxon Gardens in Warsaw

In the Church of the Holy Cross (Kosciol Sw. Krzyza, ul. Krakowskie Przedmiescie 3) On the opposite side of the street from the university, many famous Poles are buried, including Frederic Chopin. In fact, according to the composer’s will, an urn with his heart is walled up in one of the columns, and his body rests in France.

At the fork in the road there is a monument to another great son of Poland - the famous astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus. As the Poles say, with his heliocentric theory, Copernicus “stopped the Sun and set the Earth in motion.” Immediately after the monument, the boulevard turns into Nowy Świat Street - one of the most fashionable streets in Warsaw with chic boutiques and cafes.

A little to the side of it is the Ostrogsky Palace, which houses the Frederic Chopin Museum. (Muzeum Fryderyka Chopina, ul. Okolnik 1, open: Tue-Sun 10.00-18.00, entrance fee, www.tifc.chopin.pl). This beautiful palace houses numerous artifacts and memorabilia related to the life of the eminent composer. There are other palaces nearby: the Zamoyski Palace on Foksal Street, the Przeszdecki Palace and the Branicki Palace (Smolna street).

At the National Museum (Muzeum Narodowe, al. Jerozolimskie 3, open: Tue-NT 10.00-18.00, Fri 10.00-20.00, Sat, Sun 10.00-17.00, entrance fee, www.mnw.art.pl) houses a huge collection of works of art - from Roman and Egyptian archaeological finds and medieval art to antique furniture and large exhibitions of Polish and European paintings. Embassies and elegant mansions line the street Ujazdowskie Alleys, and nearby is the Sejm building and two beautiful parks - Ujazdowski and Lazienki; the latter is especially loved by Warsaw residents.

Ujazdowski Palace and Park Complex at different times of the year

Jewish Warsaw

In the second half of the 14th century. Thousands of Jews came to Warsaw, but were soon expelled from the city by royal decree. They were again allowed to settle in the city in 1768, and by the beginning of World War II there were about 350 thousand Jews in Warsaw, or 30% of the population. At that time it was the largest Jewish community in Europe. Jewish quarter around Mierów and Muranów streets (between the Palace of Culture and Science and the Jewish Cemetery in the north-west of the city) The Nazis turned it into a ghetto. After the 1943 uprising, German troops entered the quarter and liquidated the ghetto.

Currently, only about 2,000 Jews live in Warsaw. The most striking evidence of the former presence of Jews in Warsaw are the dilapidated buildings on Prozna Street. Their restoration has been entrusted to Jewish foundations, but for now the houses are a bitter reminder of the destruction. Of all the Jewish houses of worship in the city, only the functioning Nozhik synagogue has survived (Synagoga Nozykow, ul. Twarda 6). Another impressive symbol of the suffering suffered by the Jews is a fragment of the ghetto wall (ul. Sienna 55), built in 1940

Even further north is the Jewish Cemetery (Cmentarz Zydowsky), adjacent to the Powązki cemetery and founded in 1780, it makes a depressing impression with its abandonment: many of the 150 thousand gravestones are overturned and are almost invisible behind overgrown branches.

The indignation quickly passes when you remember that the Jewish population of Warsaw (and throughout Poland) was destroyed during the war, and most of the people buried in the cemetery simply did not have relatives left to care for the graves. The monument on Stawki Street commemorates the place from which 300 thousand Jews from the Warsaw Ghetto were sent by rail to the Treblinka concentration camp.

On Zamenhof Street, the monument to the heroes of the Warsaw Ghetto commemorates the brave but poorly armed Jews who rebelled against their oppressors in 1943. The monument, erected on the spot where the fiercest battles took place for a month, is a bas-relief in which a stone commissioned by the Third Reich in honor of its victory is mounted.

West of the Old Town

Powązki Cemetery (Cmentarz Powqzkowski, ul. Powazkowska 14)- the oldest, largest and most beautiful necropolis of the city, where many famous citizens of Warsaw and all of Poland are buried, from presidents to poets. The cemetery is replete with tombstones and mausoleums of all shapes and sizes, many of which speak of the wealth and nobility of those to whom they sheltered.

Among them there are both lush and rather restrained, and some are decorated with beautiful and expressive sculptures, but all are covered with fluffy light green moss.

Warsaw's new city center next to the central railway station (Warszawa Centralna), roughly halfway between the Old Town and Lazienki Park, is a busy shopping area with numerous banks, hotels and shops, as well as heavy street traffic. The area is probably best known for the building, which has become a symbol of the city, although it is hated by most Warsaw residents. This is the Palace of Culture and Science (Palac Kultury i Nauki, pl. Defilad 1)- a Stalinist-style building built in 1955, a gift from the Soviet government to the Polish people; tallest building in Warsaw (231 m). Inside there are numerous shops and galleries, and from the observation deck on the 30th floor there is a view of the city and the Masovian Plain, if the smog does not interfere. After the collapse of communism, a debate arose in society about what to do with this unpopular building.

Lazienki Palace

Although many of the most valuable works of art were stolen or destroyed, the palace, which was not badly damaged during World War II, still has one of the largest collections of portraits from the 16th to 19th centuries in Poland. The first floor of the palace is the most luxurious; The Great Crimson Room is a dining room converted into an art gallery.

After visiting the castle, be sure to take a walk through the Italian park, paying attention to the luxurious external decoration of the palace in the Baroque style, the English and Chinese gardens, and the Roman bridge. Near the entrance to the palace grounds there is - somewhat unexpectedly - the Poster Museum (Muzeum Plakatu, ul. Potockiego 10-16, Wilanow, open: Tue-Sun 10.00-16.00, Mon 12.00-16.00, entrance fee), dedicated to the masterpieces of international poster art, a medium that today has gained worldwide recognition.

Tram rides

Warsaw tram (there are about 30 routes in total)- an excellent way to get around the city. On most city maps, tram stops and routes are indicated in red.

Chopin in summer

If you come to Warsaw in the summer, come to the Chopin monument on Sunday afternoon, when concerts are held here. The statue, lakes and surrounding park all create the perfect atmosphere for Chopin's romantic music.

Firefighting Museum

Interesting and free entertainment for children - Firefighting Museum (Muzeum Historii i Techniki Pozarniczej, ul. Chlodna 3, open: Mon-Fri 9.00-14.00). The door is always locked and visitors must ring the bell. A free booklet in English is offered inside the museum.

Accommodation

It will come as no surprise to anyone to learn that Warsaw is the most expensive city in Poland, and housing prices are corresponding. However, those who cannot afford such luxury can stay in one of the inexpensive hostels.

Food

Those who prefer to do without restaurants can purchase food in supermarkets and shopping malls.

Entertainment

Night clubs

Warsaw has no shortage of great clubs. Look for them in the areas of streets such as Mazowiecka, Sienkiewicz, and Nowy Świat. In July and August, on Saturday evenings (from 19.00) free jazz concerts are held in the small market square of the Old Town.

Representation

Most tickets for theater performances can be purchased at ZASP Kasy Teatralne (Tel: 22 621 9454; Jerusalem Alleys, 25; 09.00-19.00 Mon-Fri) or in the EMPiK Wars & Sawa shopping center (Marshalovskaya st., 116/122); on the Royal Road (Novy Svyat St., 15/17).

Cinemas

Instead of watching Polish TV in your room, go to the central cinema Kino Atlantic (ul Chmielna, 33) or Kinoteka, imbued with the pathos of a bygone era (Plac Defilad Square, 1), which is located in the Palace of Culture and Science.

Hotel deals

Warsaw Tourist Card

www.warsawcard.com; for 1/3 day - 35/65zt

Provides a discount or the right to free entry to museums and public transport. Some theaters, sports centers and restaurants are also covered by the card. You can purchase such a card at the tourist office and some hotels.

All travel agencies will offer you free city maps and booklets, such as “Warsaw in Short” and “the Visitor”. You can buy maps of other cities in Poland; here they will also help you book a hotel room.

Look for free travel monthlies such as Faces and Welcome to Warsaw. You can also get a lot of useful information from Warsaw Insider (9.90zt) and "Warsaw in Your Pocket" (5zt). Travel Bureau (Tel.: 22 19431; www.warsawtour.pl) Old city (Old Town Market, 19; 09.00-21.00 May - September, 09.00-19.00 October - April); Okecie airport ; main hall of the Warszawa Centralna railway station (08.00-20.00 May - September, 08.00-19.00 October - April).

Warsaw Tourist Information Center (Warsaw Tourist Information Center) (Tel.: 22 6351881; www.wcit.waw.pl; Castle Square; 09.00-18.00 Mon-Fri, 10.00-18.00 Sat and Sun) Very helpful and friendly private travel agency in the Old Town.

Travel agency

• Orbis Travel (Tel.: 22 827 7140; Bracka str. 16)
• Our Roots (Tel.: 22 620 0556; Tvarda St., 6) Excursions to places representing the heritage of Jewish culture.
• Trakt (Tel.: 22 827 8068; www.trakt.com.pl; Kredytowa street)

Urban transport

Airport connection

The cheapest way to get from the airport to the city center is bus number 175, which runs every 10-15 minutes. It goes through Warsaw Central and ul. Novy Svyat to the final stop on Sq. Piłsudski, which is 500 m from Castle Square in the Old Town. If you arrive after midnight, you will be saved by bus number 32, which goes to Warsaw Central every half hour.

A taxi from the airport will cost about 40-45 zt. "Official" taxi (with company name, telephone number and established tariffs) can be ordered from the official taxi counters in the International Arrivals Hall.

Automobile

Traffic in Warsaw is not a gift. However, it makes sense to rent a car if you are planning to travel outside the city. You can learn about the main car rental companies from the local press. These include, among others, Avis (Tel.: 22 650 4872; www.avis.pl),Hertz (Tel.: 22 5001620; www.hertz.com.pl) and Sixt (Tel.: 22 511 1550; www.sixt.pl).

Public transport

Public transport in Warsaw operates from 05.00 to 23.00. A tax of 2.80 zt is valid for one trip by bus, tram, trolleybus or metro. Warsaw is the only city in Poland where the ISIC card (international student ID) Entitles you to receive a discount on public transport.

There are tickets valid for 60/90 minutes (4/6zt), one day (9zt), three days (16zt), a week (32zt) or month (68zt). They can be purchased at kiosks (including those marked “RUCH”) and then activate (validate) in transport.

The metro line starts in the suburb of Urszynów (Ursynow)- station "Kabaty" (Kabaty) in the southern part of the city and ends in the north of Warsaw, in Mlociny (Mtociny) passes through the center (Centrum). However, this type of transport is not particularly popular among visitors. Local commuter trains depart from the Warsaw Sródmieście station (Warszawa SrodmieScie).

Taxi

Taxi is a fast and convenient way to get around the city, at least if you use the services of official taxi companies, and they, in turn, are metered. Avoid the “mafia” of private taxi drivers who wait near large hotels, at the airport, in the area of ​​​​the Central Railway Station and near many attractions.

How to get there

Airplane

(www.lotnisko-chopina.pl) more often called Okęce (Okecie). The travel agency is very conveniently located in the arrival hall of the second terminal. In the arrivals hall you can use an ATM and one of the exchange offices. There are also car rental companies, luggage storage and a newsstand where you can buy tickets for public transport.

Bus

There are two main bus stations in Warsaw from which PKS buses depart. Dworzec Zachodnia (Western Bus Station; www.pksbilety.pl; Jerusalem Alleys, 144) is the departure point for both capital buses traveling in the southern, northern and western directions, and intercity buses making eleven trips a day to Częstochowa (Czestochowa; 41zt, three and a half hours), 13 to Gdansk (53zt, six hours), seven to Krakow (48zt, six hours), 11 to Olsztyn (Olsztyn; 48zt, four and a half hours), 15 to Torun (42zt, four hours), five to Wroclaw (54zt, seven hours) and five to Zakopane (60zt, eight hours). This station is located in the southwest of the central part of the city, next to the Zachodnia railway station (Western). You can get there by commuter train, which departs from Srodmiescie station (Sredmiescie).

Dworzec Stadium (stadion bus station, www.pksbilety.pl; Sokola street) is located next to the railway station of the same name. You can easily get here from the Sredmiescie station. Domestic flights depart from the Stadium every day to the east and southeast, including 16 to Lublin (23zt, three hours), four to Bialystok (Biatystok; 33zt, three and a half hours) and three to Zamosc (Zamosc; 35zt, 4 hours 45 minutes).

International bus routes depart and arrive at the Western bus station, sometimes at the Central one. Tickets can be purchased at the ticket office of the Western bus station, from agencies at the railway station or at any serious transport bureau in the city. Eurolines Polska (www.eurolinespolska.pl) serves a huge number of flights throughout Eastern and Western Europe. There are flights, for example, to destinations such as Amsterdam (225zt, 22 hours, four flights per week), Cologne (200zt, 20.5 hours, daily), London (300zt, 27 hours, four flights per day), Paris (260zt, 26.5 hours, four flights per week), Rome (370zt, 28 hours, three flights per week) and Vienna (175zt, 13 hours, four flights per week).

Railway

There are several railway stations in Warsaw, but the main one is Warszawa Centralna (Warsaw Central; Jerusalem Alleys, 54).

Warsaw Central is not always the final or initial departure station, so be careful when getting on or off the train. Also keep a close eye on your luggage and pockets - anything can happen.

The main hall of the station has ticket offices, ATMs, snack bars, as well as a post office, newsagents and a tourist office. At the underground level, where the exits to the platforms are located, there are several round-the-clock exchange offices and storage lockers (including automatic), snack bars, ticket offices for public transport, Internet cafes and bookstores.

Tickets for domestic and international trains are available at the station ticket office (however, be prepared that you may have to wait in line for about an hour). They can also be bought at numerous ticket offices in the underground passages leading to Warsaw Central.

Some domestic trains stop at the Warsaw Sródmiescie station, which is 300 m east of Tsentralna, as well as at Zapadnaya, which is located next to the Western bus station.

Over the seven centuries of its existence, Warsaw has experienced several conquests and destructions. The entire historical city center was razed to the ground during World War II. For decades, restorers painstakingly studied documents, old engravings and photographs and literally brick by brick restored the capital of Poland from the ruins. As a brilliant example of restoration, the historical center with its squares, castles and churches was included in the UNESCO heritage list. Nowadays, a traveler walking along the Market Square and contemplating the powerful royal castle will hardly realize that these attractions are only a few decades old.

When we hit the road and get to know a country, most often the roads lead us to the capital, which, like a lens, collects the best and brightest that is around, and then sends out routes for the curious and attentive. Indeed, wherever you go during your trip to Poland, all roads will certainly lead you to Warsaw. The convenient geographical location brought in the 16th century. one of the ordinary Polish cities has the splendor and glory of the capital. However, first things first. Scientists date the first traces of human settlements in the place where Warsaw stands today to the Bronze Age. Legends echo the scientists.

The legend of the origin of Warsaw.

For centuries, a legend has been passed down from mouth to mouth about the fishermen Wars and Sawa - a husband and wife who lived off the banks of the Vistula. One day, the prince of the neighboring lands Zememysl went hunting and, in a fit of pursuit of a wild animal, fell behind his retinue. The prince wandered through the forests all day, but never met a single living soul. When it got dark, he accidentally walked out into the clearing where Vars and Sava’s hut stood. The prince knocked on the door and asked to stay for the night. The husband and wife greeted him warmly, gave him something to drink, fed him and put him to bed. In the morning, leaving them, the prince said: “You had no doubt when you let me spend the night and saved me from hunger, cold and wild animals. So that the memory of your kindness lives on for many centuries, let these lands be called Warsaw from now on.” As history has shown, the prince made a far-sighted decision - the names of Vars and Sava are still remembered. However, there is another version, according to which Vars is the fisherman who caught the mermaid Sawa from the waters of the Vistula. It’s not just that the coat of arms of the Polish capital depicts a mermaid with a sword.

Warsaw Uprising.

However, Warsaw guides begin to tell their story not from the depths of centuries, but from September 17, 1939, when German troops entered Warsaw and set fire to one of the symbols of Polish independence - the Royal Castle. This was the beginning of a tragedy that would unfold just a couple of years later - after the suppression of the uprising in the ghetto, Hitler’s troops would decide to punish the residents of Warsaw and begin methodically blowing up entire streets in the Old Town house by house.

Restoration of Warsaw.

One of the urban legends says that after the war, Warsaw residents turned to residents of other Polish cities with a request to help restore the historical center of the capital. Bricks from ancient houses and pieces of pavement were sent by all the cities of Poland from Wroclaw to Gdansk. Thus, the residents of Warsaw accomplished the impossible - they brought the spirit of antiquity into the newly built city. Every house, every detail of antiquity - all this will be lovingly restored by the residents. By the way, all Warsaw architectural monuments restored after the war are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List as an example of the revival and restoration of historical values.

Old town in Warsaw.

However, we chatted, and it’s high time for us to hit the road. Warsaw is a unique and amazing city. The Phoenix bird, which, century after century, perished in the fire of wars and rose from its own ashes. As in any European city, every tour of the Polish capital begins with its medieval part, which is called the Old Town (Stare Miasto).

Castle Square in Warsaw.

Here it is, the heart of Warsaw - Castle Square. Right in front of us, the Royal Castle froze in its silent grandeur. By the standards of history, it acquired its current appearance not so long ago - in the 18th century. Today the Royal Castle houses a museum. Let's walk through its halls and listen to the whispers of history. Here it is, the brilliance of its former glory - luxurious antique furniture, collections of paintings, sculptures, silverware, royal porcelain, numismatic collections. Some objects and paintings miraculously returned to their places after many years of wandering around private collections. Thus, two paintings by Rembrandt, which once belonged to the last king of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, Stanislaw August Poniatowski, returned to the Royal Castle only in 1998. Two routes are open in the castle - the medieval one and the period of the 18th–20th centuries. A separate ticket is required for each route.

Palace “Under the Tin Roof”.

At the foot of the Royal Castle is a small palace known as the Tin Roof Palace. The palace was built by order of the viceroy of King Jerzy Dominik Lubomirski in the second half of the 17th century. It received such an unusual name due to the atypical roof covering with copper sheets at that time. The building was rebuilt and improved several times. Unfortunately, just like the Royal Castle, the palace burned down in 1944, but already in 1948–1949. it was restored. After another restoration (2004–2008), the palace turned into a museum. In addition, there is a permanent exhibition of oriental carpets from the collection of Teresa Shahakyan, concerts and lectures are held here.

Column of King Sigismund III Vasa.

But we've had enough of royal splendor and political history. Let's just walk around the Old Town, breathe in its atmosphere, and wander through the narrow streets. Right in front of the castle in the middle of Castle Square stands the oldest surviving monument in Warsaw - the column of King Zygmunt III Vasa. The column was built in 1644 by order of the son of Sigismund III - King Vladislav IV. The height of the monument is 22 m. In 1944, Nazi troops toppled the monument, but five years later the Warsaw residents returned it to its rightful place. Residents of the city love to make appointments at the monument, and its base has long been favored by skateboarders.

Warsaw Market Square.

Now you can safely dive into any of the nooks and crannies of the Old Town - each of them will lead us to the former Market Square. Once upon a time, the city hall stood in the middle of this square. But it was dismantled in 1817 as punishment for the fact that the residents of Warsaw supported Napoleon during the War of 1812. Now, in the place where the spiers of the town hall stood, there is a monument to the Mermaid - the city symbol, which also adorns the city’s coat of arms. If we look around carefully, we will see around us the typical buildings of a European city of the 15th-16th centuries.

Market Square in Warsaw.

In one of the houses tightly surrounding the Market Square, the Museum of the History of the City of Warsaw is located. The museum contains a rich collection of paintings, sculptures, photographs, telling about how the city grew and developed, how it changed from century to century. Part of the exhibition tells about the life of Warsaw residents in different eras. Next to the historical museum, where in the 18th century. There was a printing house of Peter Dufort and the first Warsaw newspaper was printed. The Museum of Literature is located there. Pay attention to house number 21 - the famous Polish politician Hugo Kollontai died in this building with a Gothic facade. Just admire the exterior decoration of the houses, look at the shop windows and signs of small shops, listen to the barrel organ, which in Polish is called kataryniarz.

Church of St. John in Warsaw.

The ancient streets radiate from the Market Square. Stone steps will lead us to the Vistula, but first we will look at Świętojańska Street, which in the old days was one of the main city streets. The street got its name thanks to the church of St. John, which appeared here back in the 14th century. Ambassadors to the Sejm prayed in the Church of St. John, Stanislav Leszczynski and Stanislav August Poniatowski were crowned, and the Constitution was consecrated here on May 3. In April 2010, in this church they said goodbye to Polish President Lech Kaczynski and his wife Maria, who died in a plane crash.

Warsaw Church of St. John.

During the hurricane of 1606, one of the church towers collapsed and partially destroyed the shrine building itself. The church was rebuilt in the Baroque style. In 1836–1840 The temple building was significantly rebuilt, giving it neo-Gothic features. During the Warsaw Uprising of 1944, the shrine was completely destroyed, and later restored in the form it originally had during construction in the 14th century. Today, here are the miraculous crucifix of the 16th century, the gravestones of the last princes of Mazovia (before becoming part of the Polish Crown, Warsaw was the capital of a small appanage Duchy of Mazovia). The last king of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth Stanislaw August Poniatowski, the first Polish president Gabriel Narutowicz, the composer Ignacy Paderewski, the second Polish president Ignacy Moscicki and the famous writer Henryk Sienkiewicz are buried in the dungeons of the church. The dungeons are open to the public. Let's go and look at the place where the brilliant minds of their eras, who influenced the course of not only Polish, but also the entire European history, politics and culture, found rest.

Warsaw Cathedral Chapter Square.

After exploring the dungeons, you really want to get out into the fresh air. Behind the Church of St. John there is a small triangular square of the Cathedral Chapter (Plac Kanonia), where there was a cemetery until 1880. The only thing that has survived from it is the statue of Our Lady (Wizerunek Matki Bożej) from the 18th century. The narrowest house in Warsaw is located here - No. 20/22. On the square you will see a bell cast by the court master of Władysław IV Vasa, Daniel Tym, who also created the statue of his father, King Sigismund III Vasa, for the column on Castle Square. The bell was ordered for the Jesuit church in Yaroslav, but never arrived at its destination.

Church of St. Martin in Warsaw.

While walking around the Old Town, stop by the Church of St. Martin at Piwna 9/11 Street. The half-burnt crucifix located here will make a great impression on you. The author of the first guide to Warsaw, Adam Yazhembski, who spoke about the sights of the Polish capital back in the 17th century, is buried in the church dungeon. Before we go further, let's take a little rest. In the Old Town you will find many small cafes with sweets, excellent coffee and Italian ice cream, which is called lody włoskie.

Warsaw Barbican.

Having rested, we will go down to the Vistula, admire its banks from the observation deck, and then head to the city gate - the Barbican. Like everything in Warsaw's Old Town, the Barbican was restored between 1952 and 1954. In the summer it turns into a huge open-air gallery, where street musicians and magicians like to perform, and artists exhibit their works.

Monument to the Little Rebel in Warsaw.

Not far from the walls of the Barbican, at the intersection of Piekarska and Podwala streets, there is a monument to Jan Kilińskiego, the hero of the Tadeusz Kościuszko uprising. The monument was opened in 1935 and installed on Krasiński Square (Płac Krasińskich), where we will visit later. After the war it was moved to May 3 Avenue, and in 1959 - to Podvalnaya Street. Jan Kiliński was a shoemaker who led the Warsaw Old Town militia. Legends say that he managed to capture the residence of the Russian ambassador, for which Tadeusz Kosciuszko elevated Jan Kiliński to the rank of colonel. A little further there is a monument to the Little Rebel, erected in 1983. The little rebel is a collective image of all the children who participated in the Warsaw Uprising. This monument can touch any heart, be sure to find it.

Chocolate maker “Wedel”.

Take a look at the Wedel chocolate shop at Szpitalna 8. The Wedel company produces chocolate, sweets and other sweets and is considered the same symbol of Warsaw as the column of Sigismund III Vasa and the monument to the Mermaid. The company traces its history back to 1855, when Karol (name) Wedel began producing sweets. His father’s business was continued by his son Emil, under his management a chocolate factory was built, and the “Wedel” logo, recognizable today, appeared on boxes of chocolates. At Wedel's chocolate shop you will find not only excellent coffee and hot chocolate, but also a variety of cakes, cookies, biscuits, truffles and other sweets. Try the famous Bird's Milk (Ptasie mleczko), bombonettes and, of course, Torcik Wedlowski.

Warsaw New Town Market.

Are you tired of walking yet? Then we will go down to the New Town (Nowe Miasto). In 1408, the new part of Warsaw left the influence of the city authorities and retained its independence in the decisions of city government until 1791. Walking along Freta Street we will see house number 16, where the famous Maria Skłodowska-Curie was born and raised. Today the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Museum is located here. Let's go further and find ourselves on the New Town Market Square. In the New Town you will find a huge number of churches: the Church of the Holy Spirit, the Church of St. Casimir and many others. Admire their beauty, go inside, but don’t stay in the New Town for long, there’s still a lot of interesting things waiting for us.

What to see in Warsaw.

From the New Town we will go out onto Long Street (Długa). Behind the Church of the Holy Spirit we will see the former Raczynski Palace, where today the Archive of Ancient Acts is located. A little further rises the Cathedral of the Polish Army. Let's stop at the intersection of Long and Miodowa streets. In front of us is the Krasiński Palace, where today the manuscript department of the National Library of Poland is located, behind it is the Krasiński Park. As you may have noticed, most of the city's historical buildings are now used for various purposes, so they are not always accessible to tourists. Opposite the palace is a modern courthouse, and in front of it is a monument to the Warsaw Uprising.

Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord in Warsaw.

Let's go down Medovaya Street. Our path lies to Castle Square. If you decide to take a walk, then know that it is Medowa Street that retains the splendor of Warsaw’s past. In the 18th century thirteen residences of magnates and bishops were located here. Most of them have survived to this day. On Medova there is the Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord, where the heart of one of the most beloved kings by the Poles, John III Sobieski, rests in a silver sarcophagus.

Warsaw Castle Square.

Please note: Poles are very sensitive to their history. Sometimes it seems that all the events of past centuries continue to live in this country. At the end of Medova Street, turn left onto Senatorska Street. We are located on Castle Square. Behind the Brannicki Palace, which was once considered one of the most brilliant in Warsaw, Krakowskie Przedmieście Street, a former royal route, begins. Once upon a time, Polish kings traveled along the streets of Krakowskie Przedmieście, Nowy Świat and Ujazdowskie Alley to their residence in Wilanów. We will also go this route.

Warsaw Krakowskie Przedmieście.

Today Krakowskie Przedmieście Street is a series of churches and palaces stretching towards Nowy Świat Street. There are no museums here, all the palaces are in use, and the churches are functioning. The Krakow Przedmieście is opened by the Church of St. Anne, which was founded in 1454. For us, this shrine is interesting primarily because there is an observation deck on the adjacent bell tower. Here you can admire the views of old Warsaw from a bird's eye view. You can climb the bell tower of St. Anne's Church from May 1 to October 1, Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 21:00, on Saturdays and Sundays from 11:00 to 22:00. In all other months of the year, the site is open to the public from 10:00 to 18:00.

Presidential Palace in Warsaw.

Behind the Church of St. Anne is the House of Poland, and further on is the monument to Adam Mickiewicz, which was erected here at the end of the 19th century. Next we will see the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Joseph, and after that the Presidential Palace. Construction of the palace began in the middle of the 17th century. At different times it belonged to the princes Lubomirski and the Radziwills. In the 19th century the palace became the residence of the governors of the Russian tsars. Since 1918, the Council of Ministers has been located here; in 1994, the palace received the status of the residence of the Polish president.

Monument to Prince Jozef Poniatowski in Warsaw.

The view of the residence is obscured by the monument to Prince Józef Poniatowski, the same one who lived in the palace “Under the Tin Roof”. The brother of the last Polish king, Jozef Poniatowski, was a hero of the Napoleonic wars. The prince drowned in the Weise-Elster River during the Battle of Leipzig in 1813. Interestingly, the monument traveled a lot. Initially it was installed 35 km from Warsaw in front of the Modlin fortress. In 1840, Field Marshal Paskevich decided that the monument would look better at his residence in Gomel. The equestrian statue of Józef Poniatowski returned to Poland in the 20th century. During World War II, the monument was badly damaged. Danish restorers worked on its restoration for a long time, and after completion of the work, the monument was presented to Warsaw as a gift from the residents of Copenhagen.

Hotel Bristol.

Let's go further. At the intersection of Krakowskie Przedmieście and Karowa Street there is the luxurious Bristol Hotel, which appeared here at the very beginning of the 20th century. Here Marie Skłodowska-Curie celebrated being awarded the Nobel Prize, and Marshal Jozef Pilsudski received the world famous opera singer Jan Kipura. In the 30s XX century The hotel housed the studio of the Polish artist Wojciech Kozak, who, according to legend, paid for his stay with his paintings. British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, Queen Elizabeth II, French President Jacques Chirac and Spanish opera singer José Carreras stayed at the Bristol at various times.

Church of St. Joseph and the Monastery of Visiting Cards.

Continuing along Krakow Przedmieście, we will come to the Church of St. Joseph and the Monastery of Visiting Cards. The church is notable for the fact that it was not damaged during the war, and therefore today we can see it in its original form. Let's go inside and admire its snow-white interiors, the pulpit in the shape of a boat and an angel supporting the sail. This is an allegory that symbolizes the Church, capable of going through any storms and storms.

Warsaw attractions.

Next we will certainly see the main buildings of the University of Warsaw, founded in 1816. All university buildings are former palaces. Enter through the university gates onto the university grounds - and you will immediately plunge into the cycle of student life. By the way, the university gates are another one of the favorite meeting places for Warsaw residents. Across the road from the gate is the Church of the Holy Cross, where the heart of Frederic Chopin is kept. The urn with the heart of the great composer is walled up in the first column on the left side of the main nave. It is known that Chopin himself died in Paris, where he was buried, but his heart, according to his will, was brought to Warsaw by the composer’s sister Ludwika.

Warsaw monument to Nicolaus Copernicus.

In front of the building of the Polish Academy of Sciences, which is located in the palace of the philanthropist and patron of sciences Stanislaw Staszic, who lived at the beginning of the 19th century, there is a monument to Nicolaus Copernicus, at the foot of the monument the planets of the solar system make their way. Spin along with Venus, Mars and Neptune in their orbits - you will certainly feel the heady taste of new discoveries and, who knows, perhaps the unknown depths of the Universe will reveal their secrets to you. Two more figures were cast according to the shape of this monument. One is installed in Montreal, the second in Chicago.

Warsaw, Nowy Świat street.

Further Krakowskie Przedmieście smoothly flows into Nowy Świat Street. Today it is home to cafes, high-end shops and art galleries. Nowy Świat Street ends at Foksal Street. In the 18th century banker Franciszek Gabrit bought the gardens adjacent to Nowy Świat and named them after the famous Vauxhall Gardens in London. Over time, the name was transformed into Foxal, and the gardens were divided into plots and sold. Today there are no gardens here anymore, and only the name of the street reminds of this page in the city’s history.

Meeting place for young people in Warsaw.

Not far from the place where Foksal crosses Nowy Świat, you will certainly see an arch leading deeper into the quarter. Dive into it and you will find yourself in a completely different place. In parallel to the elegant shops and cafes of Novy Świat, in its gateways, young people have created their own alternative street. There are also a lot of cafes and shops here, but completely different. Hookah bars, a red communist cafe dedicated to Che Guevara, shops with a variety of hippie-style trinkets. Having a walk here, you will understand how Warsaw is a city that is alive and young at heart.

Warsaw Ujazdowski Alleys.

But let’s return to Ujazdowski Alleys. Behind the Square of Three Crosses, construction began at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, which brought Alley the glory of one of the most elegant streets in Warsaw. Today, embassies and offices are located in the former residences and houses of wealthy citizens. Pay attention to the palace where the Lithuanian Embassy is located today (house no. 14). The building was called the “Under the Artichoke” Palace, although in fact the façade is decorated with a stone pine cone. House No. 17 was built for his residence by the Russian merchant Mikhail Shlekhov, who supplied black caviar to Warsaw from Russia. The manufacturer of optical instruments, G. Kolberg, lived in house No. 19.

Warsaw Ujazdowski Castle.

If you are tired, you can take buses No. 116, 180, 195 either to the Square at the Crossroads (or, as they say here, to the Crossroads), or directly to the Royal Lazienki Park. So, on foot or by bus, we reached the square at the crossroads. Here on the slope is located Ujazdowski Castle - another former royal residence. Built in the 17th century, throughout its history the castle was destroyed and rebuilt; it was either a barracks or a military hospital. In 1939, the Ujazdowski Palace burned down and was then restored in two stages. Today it houses the Center for Contemporary Art, a cinema, a restaurant and a cafe.

Wilanow Palace in Warsaw.

If you still have some strength left, take a look at the third royal residence remaining in Warsaw - Wilanów Palace. Vilyanov is located on the outskirts of the city, it will take 30–40 minutes to get there. You can get to the castle by bus number 180 from the Royal Lazienki Park. The castle and park are very large; it can take a whole day to explore them. Wilanów Palace was built by order of King John III Sobieski at the end of the 17th century. Wander through its corridors and halls, observe how one era replaced another, how the tastes of Polish kings changed, how the Polish Crown rose and fell. Here you will find a huge portrait gallery, a numismatic cabinet and much more. From May to October, the museum in the castle operates according to the following schedule: Monday, Wednesday, Sunday - from 09:00 to 18:00, Thursday, Friday, Saturday - from 09:00 to 16:00, Tuesday - closed. During the remaining months of the year, the castle is open to visitors from 09:00 to 16:00. The park is open from 09:00 until dark. Free visit day is Thursday.

Stalin's skyscraper in Warsaw.

If you decide not to go to Wilanów, then let’s go back to Ujazovskie Alley street. At the Charles de Gaulle Rondo we turn left onto Jerusalem Alleys. Let's get to Defilad Square, turn right onto Marszałkowska Street, and go to one of the tallest and largest buildings in all of Poland - the Palace of Culture and Science. The palace was built in 1952–1955. The size of the building is amazing: it can be seen from anywhere in the city, especially at night, when the palace is illuminated and looks like a city lighthouse. Residents can easily recognize the Warsaw Palace of Culture and Science as the main building of Moscow State University on Sparrow Hills. The building covers an area of ​​3.3 hectares, its height is 231 m, and there are more than 3,000 different rooms inside.

Observation deck in Warsaw.

On the 30th floor of the palace there is an observation deck, from where you can admire the beauty of the city from a 114-meter height. The observation deck of the Palace of Culture and Science is open daily from 09:00 to 18:00. You can hire a guide who will tell you about the main objects of the city spread out before your eyes. There is a popular legend among townspeople that the building of the Palace of Culture and Science in their capital is a gift from Stalin for joining Poland to the socialist camp. They say that the leader of the peoples offered the Polish authorities a choice of building a metro in Warsaw or a Palace of Culture and Science. It's not hard to guess what they chose. By the way, the metro in Warsaw is still not developed: two lines for such a large city are very few.

Warsaw is the capital of Poland.

And a few more tips: walk around the city, go to small cafes. Residents of Warsaw, who lovingly call the capital “Wawa,” are very fond of good coffee and interesting books. That's why there are so many quaint bookstores that suddenly turn into coffee shops. You may not like the city at first glance, and the legacy of the communist past may mislead you into thinking that this city is the same as many in the post-Soviet space. Be attentive and observant, then Warsaw will certainly reveal all its beauty to you. Happy Travel!