The first time you see Warsaw, you will be fascinated by this historic European capital, where old and new mingle to create unique appearance and long lasting memory. Set along the banks of scenic River Vistula, Warsaw is the biggest city in Poland and the seat of the parliament, senate, president, government, major political parties, as well as cultural, scientific, and economical center. The capital of Poland has survived the turbulent European history and after it was almost fully destroyed in the Second World War, it emerged from the ruins and became one of the most cosmopolitan and dynamic Polish cities. Walking the streets of Warsaw, one has the peculiar sensation of stepping back into time in a better époque of romanticism, art and beauty. The historic city areas and monuments are beautifully reconstructed and the city is awarded a place in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1980. There are a few landmark areas in this beautiful city, which you must not miss on your trip to Warsaw. One of these is the so-called “Royal Route”, a famous tourist destination, for it runs along many popular sights, including palaces that survived the war, eclectic shopping areas, fashionable restaurants and bars, and fabulous green parks. On your tour of Warsaw, you will see some other famous sights such as the Old Town, the Royal Castle, the Palace of Culture and Science, Lazienki Park, the Jewish Ghetto, the Chopin Monument, St. John’s Cathedral, Pawiak Prison and Wilanow Palace.

The Royal Palace
The Royal Palace, in Polish Zamek Krolewski, is a sight that every visitor of Warsaw has to see. The building that visitors enter nowadays is a remarkable reconstruction of this historic monument, existing since 14th century. The castle was originally built as a wooden fortress for the Dukes of Mazovia, and later on in 17th and 18th centuries it was used by the Polish Kings. So for several centuries the castle remained the seat of the monarchy and the building of the Polish Parliament. The Royal Palace became the official residence of the Polish president in 1918, but the Nazis destroyed it completely during the Second World War. It was entirely reconstructed in the 1970’s and the early 1980’s with fantastic results, so that none can tell that it was built not so long ago. Presently, the Neo- Baroque Zamek Krolewski is turned into a museum, displaying artifacts, period furniture, tapestries Oriental rugs and porcelain.

St. John’s Cathedral
In Warsaw’s Old Town, just off the square and connected with a covered footbridge to the Royal Palace, is located the St. John’s Cathedral. This impressive, Gothic-style church was originally built in the 14th century and just like many other buildings in Warsaw, it was completely damaged during the Warsaw Uprising of 1944. A lot of money was spent for its reconstruction in the post-war period, but its interior does not claim historic accuracy. Visiting this cathedral, you will see the Baryczkowski Crucifix from Nurnburg, renowned for the impressiveness on the face of Christ, and also the red marble Renaissance tombs of the last Mezowian Dukes. If you go downstairs in the crypt, you will see the resting places of several notable people, among who the tomb of the Nobel Prize Winner Henryk Sienkiewicz.

The Lazienki Park
When you want to escape the crowded city streets, you can head to the serenity and beauty of Lazienki Park. This is the most suitable place to retreat and stroll across the wide lanes, small lakes and sculptures, surrounded by rich vegetation. The Lazienki Park is the favourite place of couples, families with children and older people, all of who enjoy the breathtaking nature landscapes, rare birds and peaceful serenity of the place. Originally the Lazienki Park was a Royal Palace’s Park and people still marvel at the Palace On The Water, as well as at many other buildings and monuments. The Palace On The Water was built for the king Stanislaw August in 18th century and was intended to be his bathing place. However it became a little residence where he invited popular Polish poets and writers. Another attraction is the theatre, whose stage is built in one of the lakes, while the audience’s seats are on the shores. The park is known to hide the monument of the world famous Polish composer Chopin. If you visit this place in a summer evening, you will be a witness of a lifetime experience- Chopin’s music played life at the glowing of the lanterns and the blossoming roses around his monument.

The Warsaw Ghetto
One, not so pleasant and beautiful place, but still worth seeing, is the Jewish Ghetto in Warsaw. An year after their invasion in Poland, 1939, the Nazis created a ghetto for the Jews of Warsaw and the environments. The ghetto was located in Muranow, an area in the northwest of the city, with about 240,000 Jewish population. After evacuating the Christians in the area, the ghetto was isolated by a wall, and an year later the Jewish population was doubled and the living conditions rapidly deteriorating. In 1942 half of the Jews in the area was evicted and condemned to death, which provoked the Ghetto Uprising in 1943. This was the reason for devastation and further slaughter of about 55,000 Jews, while in May 1943 the ghetto was totally demolished. Afterwards the area was rebuilt in standard Soviet blocks, amid which there are several landmarks of great importance. A small stretch of the ghetto wall is still there to remind about these shameful historical deeds. The Nozyk Synagogue, which stands on the southeastern end of the ghetto, is the only synagogue to survive the devastating war. Several memorials are to be found in the area, among which the Monument to the Ghetto Heroes, celebrating the heroes of the 1843 uprising against Nazi. The main public attention is directed to the Institute of Jewish History, which gives historic insight on the full expanse of Jewish tragedy and traces the events in the Warsaw ghetto.

The Wilanow Palace
The Wilanow Palace is a splendid late 17th century complex in baroque style, first began by Jan III Sobieski as a gift for his wife. On the central facade one could read the following inscription in Latin: “Anything the Rome has, you will find here”. One can admire the exquisite collection of furniture, china, artworks, clocks and many other artifacts, which are to be seen in this amazing complex, named by many “The Polish Versailles”. The original palace was badly damaged by the Germans during the Second World War, but the Wilanow Palace escaped demolition for its favourable location, outside the city, at one end of the Royal Road. The Palace is surrounded by wonderful gardens reminding the grandeur of French palaces.