Warsaw,  since the late XVI century the capital of Poland belongs to the top 10 metropolitan areas in Europe. Unlike most historic cities in Europe, Warsaw was almost entirely destroyed (around eighty-five percent of the town) during World War II >>>. Most of the historical city we can admire today had to be literally reconstructed from scratch. The reconstruction was limited only to the oldest city areas. Much of the buildings were not reconstructed at all.

The Warsaw historical city consists of the Old Town and the New Town as well as the Royal Route. The New Town is parts of the historical town that are located beyond the Barbakan (the gate in the defensive wall) opposite the Royal Route. In the photo below, you can see the panorama of both cities. The whole area is relatively small as you can imagine comparing it with the national stadium that may be seen at the other bank of the Vistula river.

The panorama of the Warsaw Old Town and the New Town. The two highest buildings in front are the Warsaw cathedral and the tower of the royal castle. Like all buildings in this area, they had to be reconstructed from scratch after the WWII struggles. The Warsaw cathedral is a relatively simple building, so do not plan much time for sightseeing inside. The royal castle is however worthwhile, as the last king of Poland was a real art lover. 

The royal castle square (not to be confused with the main old town square) viewed from the opposite directions. Its central point is the Sigismund column. Sigismund III Vasa was the king of the Commonwealth and the Crown of the Kingdom of Poland, who moved the capital city from Cracow (>>>) to Warsaw.

The main square of the Old Town, located five minutes of walk from the royal castle. To get to Barbakan that marks the end of the Old Town, you will need another five minutes. 

In the middle of the square, you will find the Warsaw Siren. She is the city symbol that can be found on the Warsaw coat of arms, as well.

In Summer the majority of the main square is rented by restaurants located in the surrounding buildings. The restaurants offer a variety of meals. As Polish cuisine comprises some flag dishes, naturally all of them are provided in the area. The customers are both tourists and locals. Basically, if you want to eat Polish typically, the historical city is the place. In winter a skating rink is built in its center.

Below some other photo impressions. Although it may seem so, I did not use much enhancing on them. The shots were done shortly before it started to thunder and quite heavy rain.

A Brief History of Warsaw

Warsaw origins can be traced back to the 13th century when it emerged as a small fishing village. The strategic location along the Vistula River made it a crucial trade hub, leading to its rapid development.

In the 16th century, Warsaw’s significance surged when Sigismund III, the King of Poland, relocated the Polish capital from Cracow to Warsaw. This shift brought about a golden age, with the construction of landmarks such as the Royal Castle and the establishment of the University of Warsaw, fostering a climate of intellectual and cultural growth.

However, Warsaw’s history is also marked by numerous conflicts and destruction. The city faced several invasions and occupations, most notably during the Swedish Deluge in the 17th century and the partitions of Poland in the late 18th century, which saw its annexation by foreign powers. Despite these challenges, Warsaw continued to be a center of resistance and national pride.

The 20th century was particularly tumultuous for Warsaw. World War I brought devastation, but it was in World War II that Warsaw witnessed unprecedented destruction. The 1944 Warsaw Uprising, a heroic but ultimately tragic 63-day struggle against Nazi occupation, led to the city’s near-total destruction. Post-war reconstruction efforts, however, were remarkable, meticulously restoring the historic Old Town.

The fall of communism in 1989 marked another significant chapter in Warsaw’s history, ushering in a period of political and economic transformation. Today, Warsaw stands as a symbol of resilience and renewal with historic sites, like the Royal Castle and Wilanów Palace, alongside contemporary skyscrapers.