WarsawThe capital of Poland

The Capital of Poland - Warsaw

We are pleased to invite you to Warsaw, the capital of Poland!

Warsaw or Warszawa is Poland's capital and largest city. It has a high standard of living, complete with all the modern amenities for a satisfied citizen. The city of Warsaw is truly an unforgettable destination for tourists.

ATTRACTIONS

Krakowskie Przedmieście

Krakowskie Przedmieście or Kraków Suburb is definitely a must-visit for every tourist. It is part of the Royal Route and along this high road stands many historical attractions one after the another. Starting with the Presidential Palace, the University of Warsaw, the Visitationist Church, and the Adam Mickiewicz monument, among others.

Warsaw Barbican

Warsaw's barbican is a major tourist attraction. The walls, passage and semicircular fortified outpost are some of the few remains from this complex historical formation encompassing Warsaw.

Market Place

The Old Town Market Place is filled with cafes, restaurants, shops and many other attractions. The new buildings have been renovated and reconstructed with a pseudo-antique façade, based on their original design from the 17th century. The Market Place is made of four sides, Dekert's Side which houses the Warsaw Historical Museum; Barss' Side where the Mickiewicz Museum is located; Kołłątaj's Side which is known for its gothic structure; and the Zakrzewski's Side which features the tower to the Jesuits' church and The Bazyliszek House.

Nowy Świat Street

This remarkable street attracts many visitors and is part of the Royal Route, a suggested tour path from the Royal Castle to another royal domain at Wilanów, King Jan III Sobieski's palace. Nowy Świat extends north to the Old Town, intersecting with many interesting streets leading to the Warsaw University Campus and the Nicolaus Copernicus monument. Southbound, Nowy Swiat changes into the sophisticated Ujazdów Avenue, and straight on ending at the Wilanów Palace.

Powązki Cemetery

Powązki Cemetery is a necropolis (or City of the Dead). This is a complex of cemeteries with graves consisting of Roman Catholics, Protestants, Muslims, Jews and of Orthodox religion. Notable people, slain soldiers and civilians from Warsaw Uprising, WWII, Battle of Warsaw, September Campaign and Invasion of Poland are buried at this site. Many mausoleums and graves have sculptures hand crafted by artists and masters of the 19th and 20th century. A slightly spooky and surreal experience for tourists who visit the site. There are over 60,000 graves in the area.

Żoliborz

Zoliborz is a small borough but it is considered to be one of the most prestigious areas in Warsaw. A fine example of urban architecture, Zoliborz is beautifully planned with wide streets and parks. The attractive villages here are made up of houses known for their modern façade. Tourists can also visit the of the Warsaw Citadel Museum here.

Warsaw ZooThe Warsaw Zoological Garden maintains familiar and unique spaces for each animal in the compound. Follow the zoo path leading to various speciality sections like Jaguars, Insectarium, Giant Ant-Eater, Aquarium, Cheetahs, Giraffes, Monkeys, Herpetarium (reptiles), Bird House, Rhinos, Elephants and the Australian Enclosure (kangaroos).

There is also the Fantasy Zoo attraction where there are chairs, tables for eating, and slides and swings for the kids. Here, guests can pet animals and interact with goats, pigs, rabbits among others, whilst enjoying a pleasant picnic.

Warsaw National Theatre / Teatr Narodowy

The National Theatre is a hub for playwrights, thespians, and artists and attracts many visitors each year. Gracing each stage are the theatrical productions influenced by Poland's political state. The more classical and original scripts match the glaring colours of theatrical posters at night.

King Sigismund's Column / Zygmunt's column

Sigismund's Column is a symbol of commemoration for King Zygmunt III Waza, who in 1596 made Warsaw the capital of Poland. It is one of Warsaw's well known landmarks and is part of the cluster of historical structures that transform the Old Town into the culture-rich destination and an UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Old Town

The Old Town is definitely worth visiting for anyone who will be lucky to visit the Polish capital. The Old Town is the oldest urban residential settlement of Warsaw. This place actually is steeped in history and the tragic events of having a place here during the Warsaw Uprising in 1944, when it was razed by the German occupier. Fortunately, in the years 1952 to 1955 the Old Town was completely rebuilt and now we can enjoy its unique beauty.

Presidential palaceThis is the place where our President, Bronislaw Komorowski, lives.

The Palace of Culture and SciencePalace of Culture and Science (Palac Kultury i Nauki). Built in the 1950s as a "gift" to the Polish people by Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin the Palace of Culture and Science is Warsaw's most recognizable building. The building elicits mixed feelings from Poles - on one hand, the building has a controversially beautiful architectural style, however, the building was built by the man who helped Hitler rape the Polish countryside, then continued a campaign of senseless murders of the Poles when the Soviet-Nazi Germany relations soured. Today, the building is home to a movie theatre, museum, restaurant, and college. Visitors can take an elevator to an observation deck, which provides a great view of Warsaw.

Łazienki Park Łazienki Park (Park Łazienkowski). Łazienki Park was built and designed for a Polish politician, but became King Stanisław Poniatowski's, the last king of Poland, residence for much of later half of the 18th century. During Poniatowski's reign, much of the buildings on the park grounds were built. The most interesting buildings are the Łazienki Palace, Roman theatre, and the so called Little White House, where the King sought the worldly comfort of mistresses. The park is a wonderful escape from hustle and bustle of the city streets that surround the park and can be the setting for a picnic or a wedding. Strangely, it's a great place to find peacocks and occasionally, a rat.

There are also a few little friends ;)

FESTIVALS

Warsaw CarnivalForty days before Lent, the Carnival festival rolls on. Dancing, food feasting and limitless drinks. This event is held in many different venues around town. Whether the partying takes place at home, in hotels or nightclubs, they all merrily take part in the Carnival before it ends on Ash Wednesday.

Drowning of Marzanna

To keep traditions burning alive, one must burn the doll called Marzanna, which is a representation of an evil witch. A strong influence of Slavic pagan customs, setting the doll on fire and throwing it into the waters will 'perish' winter and welcome upcoming spring. It is a fun festival that is still being celebrated throughout Poland, especially among children.

Ludwig van Beethoven Easter Festival

Every year before Easter, Poland celebrates one of the world's most renowned composers, Ludwig van Beethoven. A grand musical event is produced and participated by great conductors, soloists, majestic performers with a lavish orchestra.

Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday

Palm Sunday (Niedziela Palmowa) is a Christian tradition commemorating Jesus Christ's passage to Jerusalem. Twigs and branches are painted, adorned with flowers and ribbons, and blessed by priests during religious processions. After Palm Sunday, Holy Week kicks off. Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday are well observed in customary manners. Easter Sunday celebrates the resurrection of Christ. Churches hold Holy Masses throughout the day, feasts and offering of baskets filled with traditional symbolic foods are practiced. Lamb, as symbol of Christ; Meat, as traditional Polish delicacy; Salt, which prevents food turning sour, as the Passion of Christ; Bread, the most important of all, symbolizing Corpus Christi; and finally the Egg, painted in colorful designs, for abundance in life, love, fertility and strength.

Warsaw Ghetto Uprising

Each year, a touching ceremony takes place every 19th of April when hundreds of people bring flowers to the Warsaw Ghetto Heroes Monument and the Umschlagplatz Monument. Flowers symbolize the fight of insurgents against Nazi soldiers in 1943, when Nazi troops captured 400,000 Jews and placed them in a ghetto which they set up in Warsaw. Over hundreds and thousands died during the war, some were burnt alive, while some insurgent leaders committed suicide.

Mozart Festival

The Warsaw Chamber Opera oversees more than 20 Mozart stage productions during Mozart Festival. The only opera house in the world to offer Mozart's entire operatic output, Warsaw Chamber Opera presents selections of Mozart's chamber, symphonic, and vocal-instrumental pieces during the festival.

Slaska Noc Swietojanska

Slaska Noc Swietojanska or Midsummer's Eve is the longest day of the year, celebrated in Warsaw, and in all of Poland. The Midsummer Market is set up, complete with hot drinks and warm food. There are period-costume contests, free concerts, feasting, drunken merriment and dancing. During this festival girls and some boys wear garlands of flowers on their heads, while a big garland of flowers is sent off floating on Vistula River. Over 100,000 people participate in this event. The night is capped with a rainbow of fireworks and musicals, which often features popular artists and bands.

Warsaw Autumn Festival

International performers visit Warsaw to be part of one of the best musical events of the city. The Warsaw Autumn Festival features concerts, orchestras, operas and soloists. Lectures, conventions, exhibitions, conferences are also tied in with the event for a targeted audience. The festival takes place in different institutions and is simultaneously celebrated in churches, universities, radio stations, museums and orchestra houses.

Warsaw Film Festival

Polish films have long caused an influential stir in cinema's all over the world. Famous producers, like Roman Polanski, started out in Warsaw's film fests. Witness as up and coming directors and actors wow the crowd with original, raw and sometimes deeply troubling cinematic twists.

Warsaw Christmas Fair

Each year, the Christmas season is celebrated in Warsaw with colourful market stalls set up all over the Old Town. With baskets full of overflowing souvenirs, trinkets, honey, pudding, cheeses, cakes and more, it is but a frosting to the big bite of the Christmas season. A tall Christmas Tree is put up every year in the center of Zamkowy Square. Christmas lights guide night strollers as locals and tourists spread the joy of the coming Christmas day.

SHOPPING CENTRES

Zlote Tarasy

Zlote Tarasy or Golden Terraces is a modern complex, housing office spaces, a shopping centre and a hotel. Known for its signature wavy glass ceiling that accentuates cozy lighting and uber cosmo style, Golden Terraces also has an 8-screen multiplex cinema. Over 200 restaurants and shops round up this mega mall making it a great day out for the family.

Sadyba Best Mall

Sadyba is another mall that can satisfy all your shopping needs. Children's clothing, sports shops, health products, home & interior and books can be found inside Sadyba. Services like a hair salon, pet store, florist, travel agency, photo developing centre and an Orange IMAX makes this shopping centre worth the visit. Restaurants and various food options are also available.

Factory

Factory is everything surplus! Be it foreign brands like Levi's, Mango, Lee, Benetton, Nine West, Nike or Adidas, or local boutiques like Simple or Vistula, this shopping centre is the place to scour for the lowest prices. Discounted items are offered to fashion driven consumers.

Centrumland Shopping Centre

Centrumland Mall serves the regular retail shop package, with a few extra speciality services as well. Medical clinics, veterinary clinic, banking and a postal centre add a unique touch to Centrumland shopping centre.

Centrum Warszawa Wilenska

When riding the suburban trains, hop off the end-line station at Wilenska. From the train's public terminal, step into high-street gear as Centrum Mall's connecting entrance comes to view. There are around 100 shops and restaurants in this shopping centre. Carrefour supermarket occupies the 2nd level.

Promenada

This fun complex promotes physically-charged events matched with enjoyable facilities. A 13-theatre cinema, bowling alley and ice skating rink makes for an activity-filled visit. Rows of retail shops and restaurants occupy the shopping grounds as well.

Wola Park

Wola Park Mall is an interactive complex with a shopping centre filled with fashion retail shops, interior & household stalls, salons, laundry area, opticians and loads more. Banking services and mobile operator sections are within the premises. There is an internet cafe available, as well as Calypso Fitness Club, a public basketball court, volleyball areas and a winter ice skating rink.

Janki Shopping Centre

Janki Mall houses a 10-theatre cinema equipped with Dolby Digital Surround Sound. This all-around mall includes services like banking, a salon, pharmacies and an opticians, in addition to the fast-food stalls, there are restaurants, sports shops and fashionable boutiques.

Galeria Mokotow

This massive building offers many opportunities to visitors. Stroll along the rows of boutiques, retail shops and additional services like banking, telecom centers, electronics, salon and organic market. There is also a cinema and bowling alley for entertainment, Fikoland for children's play area, and the mall's big tenants are Ahold, Park & Cloppenburg, Marks & Spencer, Kappahl, Cubus and Carrefour Supermarket. After a tiring and productive day at the shopping centre there are plenty of restaurants and cafes offering tasty cuisines.

Arkadia

Arkadia shopping centre is popular among movie buffs with its 15-theatre cinema. This modern mall attends to its customers' needs quite well. With health & beauty sections, spa, salon and a fitness club to ease away the shopping stress, other services include boutiques, bookstores, pharmacies and banking.

Galeria Centrum

Galeria Centrum is top notch on fashion accessories and attires right out of the catalogue.

Monument to the Little insurgent

It commemorates the heroic struggle of the scouts and students during the Warsaw uprising and during the entire occupation.

WARSAW BY NIGHT

The presentation was made by Mateusz Walas, class 1b