Warsaw
Warsaw is a very specific city, different from the rest of European capitals. It was 8th largest city within European Union cities. It is dynamic and you can feel the spirit of youthfulness, because there are 220 thousand of students who attend 35 private and 20 public universities. During World War II it was completely destroyed and rebuilt by all nations. The city has developed really well and quickly.
The old city is historical and has been included in the UNESCO’s World Heritage register. Warsaw is also a center of business and administration but also culture, art and science. You can visit 28 theatres, 35 museums and 60 art galleries. Nowadays Warsaw is a modern and dynamic city with many luxurious hotels and elegant shops. You will find more to chose from here than any other polish city.
Since World War II Warsaw has been the second most important centre of film production in Poland. It has also been featured in numerous movies, both Polish and foreign, such as “The Pianist”, “The Decalogue”, “Erotica”.
The Royal Route
Beginning of The Royal Route is in the Old Town during Krakowskie Przedmiascie, Nowy Swiat, Aleje Ujazdowskie and ending with Lazienki.
The old town is most visited by tourists. There is the Royal Castle and in front of it, there is 22 meter-high column of King Sigismund III Vasa who transferred capital from Cracow to Warsaw in XVIth century. Nearby, there is a statue of Mermaid-symbol of the city. There are also many bars, cafes and many tourist attractions like street painters, singers, souvenir shops etc.
Krakowskie Przedmiscie is the street where you can find the oldest and historical churches and polish Academy of Sciences with statue of Nicolas Copernicus in front of it.
Nowy Swiat (New World) is the most commercial street in Warsaw, full of galleries, cloth shops, bookshops and cafes. Most of buildings comes from XIX century and are made on neo-classical style. On the east from Vistula River you can see an impressive building of the National Museum. The most important of its is collection of the Pharos frescoes from Sudan, discovered by polish archeologists. Near there is the Polish Army Museum.
Aleje Ujazdowskie are an enchanting place. There are Botanical Gardens, the Royal Lazienki Park and complex palace. This is also a place of many governmental buildings (Wiejska Street).
Lazienki (Bathrooms) is the most attractive place from category of parks. During summer on Sundays take place open-air Chopin concerts. There are also beautiful historical buildings like Water Palace, Amphitheatre or Mysliwiecki Palace. It is a really charming place.
Warsaw's oldest public park, the Ogrod Slaski located within 10 minutes' walk from the old town.
To the north of the city is the site of the former Warsaw Ghetto.
How High
You can watch perfect bird’s eye view from 30th floor (234 meters) of Palace Culture and Science which is situated in the centre of Warsaw. From here you can get the ideal overview of the city. This building is some kind of “gift” from Soviet and is built in Soviet skyscraper style.
Entertainment
Warsaw has plenty to offer music lovers. Events held here include the Mozart Festival, the Jazz Jamboree International Festival and the Warsaw Autumn International Festival of contemporary Music. Every five years, fans of Chopin’s music gather here for the International Chopin Competition.
Neighbourhood
About six kilometers from Warsaw is Wilanow with summer residence of King Jan III Sobieski. It comes from 17 century and is called Little Versailles. It was supposed to remind his beloved wife of her home country- France. Visitors can admire stunning interiors: furniture, portraits, sculptures and suits of armour.
A little bit further away (50 km) from Warsaw, there is a tiny village called Zelazowa Wola. It’s famous for Frederick Chopin. The small manor house, the birthplace of the most famous Polish compose, is now a museum surrounded by a park.
Calendar of cultural events
- Mozart Festival, June/July, www.wok.pol.pl
- Warsaw Autumn- International Festival of Contemporary Music, September, http://warszawska-jesien.art.pl
- Jazz Jamboree – International Jazz Festival, October, www.jazzjamboree.wp.pl
- International Festival of Street Art, July
- Other events- www.pot.gov.pl/kal
Tourist Information in Warsaw
Warsaw Tourist Office supplies tourists with complex information about cultural and sports events in Warsaw. It also offers maps, guidebooks, reservation etc.
- Central Railway Station- Main Hall, 54 Jerozolimskie Street, info@warsawtour.pl, May-Sept 8 am-8 pm (daily), Oct-April 8 am-6 pm (daily)
- Tourist Information Centre, 39 Krakowskie Przedmiescie, May-Sept 9 am- 8 pm, Oct-April 9 am- 6 pm.