Poland > Wandering through old Warsaw

Today we are getting to know the city of Warsaw. Right next to the hotel standsthe Staszic Palace, with the statue of Copernicus on the square in front. Wecontinue on to Pilsudski Square, the largest square in the city. At the edge ofthe square, next to the vast Saxon Garden, stands the Monument to the UnknownSoldier, guarded by two soldiers. On the other side of the square are the GrandTheatre and the Metropolitan. Through the park we arrive at Bank Square, whereCity Hall occupies the entire eastern side of the square.

Poland - The square in front of the Royal Palace near the old city

Crossing to the otherside of the Grand Theatre, we reach the Royal Palace and the Old Town.We climb the bell tower of St. Anne’s Church. After 150 steps we arrive at theobservation platform on the tower. From here we have a view over the palace andthe Old Town, as well as the Vistula River. Inside, St. Anne’s Church issurprisingly beautiful, decorated in baroque style. In the Old Town we visit St.Martin’s Church and St. John’s Cathedral. In the latter lies the mausoleum ofCardinal Wyszynski, who was active in the resistance during the war. Behind thechurch runs a narrow alleyway under arches, leading to a viewpoint over theVistula. On the edge of the central market square there is a small museum aboutthe post-war restoration of the Old Town. Photographs show how heavily the citywas damaged. It is almost unimaginable that the entire Old Town was faithfullyrestored in its original style. This is especially visible on the Rynek, thecentral square. The pastel-colored rebuilt houses reflect the atmosphere of thepast.

Poland - The market square of Warsaw

To the north we pass the city wall, marking the start of the New Town.Via the New Town Market Square we reach the Church of the Sacrament and theChurch of the Visitation. Behind them lies the Multimedia Park, overlooking theriver. In one of the streets we order lunch. When we come out again, light rainis falling. In the drizzle we walk to the Jewish Ghetto district. Here standsthe Monument to the Heroes of the Ghetto, where Jews rose up against the Nazis.Via the Krasinski Palace we walk back to the center.From the Royal Palace begins the Royal Route. Along this broad boulevard standthe Presidential Palace, the Hotel Bristol, and the university buildings. As wehead south, we pass several palaces, one of which now serves as a museum aboutthe life of Chopin. By late afternoon we arrive at the Palace of Culture andScience. This striking tall tower from the communist era contrasts with thesurrounding shopping centers. We decide not to go up to the top floor of thecultural center, as the weather is too hazy for a good view. We walk back to theshopping center and order a beer in a café. In the evening we dine near thehotel at the Bierhalle: meat and beer. We end our visit to Warsaw with one moreevening walk through the Old Town. Back at the hotel, the step counter on thephone shows almost 27,000 steps. We certainly did our best today.