Warsaw - sights worth seeing

Everyone must come to Warsaw, the capital of Poland. It is an extremely interesting city, where historical places, often marked by the bloody fate of history, are neighbors with state-of-the-art buildings. Much has already been written about what entertainment is available for children in Warsaw and where to eat deliciously in Warsaw. This time we present the 15 best sights of Warsaw.

This is the main, largest city of the Mazowiecki Voivodeship, in which about two million people currently live, and thousands of other visitors, businessmen and tourists appear on its streets every day. They visit the most important offices of the country, as well as embassies and consulates, museums and concert halls.

What to see in Warsaw

It is worth visiting and getting to know this city at least a little, because it is marked by history. The city painfully and dramatically survived the years of the Second World War and is being revived as a modern European metropolis. There are many places to see and visit. Warsaw is mostly associated with the Palace of Culture and Science, built in the 1950s, the Royal Castle restored after the war and the nearby Sigismund Column, as well as with the beautiful, often visited park - Lazenky Korolivski. However, there are still many attractive places to visit and more!

On more than 800 m2, fans of social networks can take countless photos against the background of bright original scenography. An original Harley Davidson, a carousel with unicorns or a bathtub with floral decor stir the imagination and inspire. In the first Museum of Happiness and Illusions, you can not only arrange photo sessions, but also shoot music videos or just have a pleasant, creative and unconventional time.

This creative space will appeal to lovers of social networks, professional authors, as well as families with children or companies of friends. Unique decorations with iconic donuts, huge sweets or fairy-tale unicorns encourage you to take a series of pictures and then share them on social networks. In the Be Happy museum, you can also spend time in the rooms of illusions, breaking away from reality for a long time.

1. Palace of Culture

If you come to Warsaw by train, one of the main sights of the city, the well-known Palace of Culture, will be waiting right next to the Central Railway Station. This tallest building in the country was built in 1952-1954 and was a gift of the Soviet people to the Poles. Today's Warsaw is hard to imagine without him, he became its symbol and is clearly associated with it. The initiator of the construction was Joseph Stalin himself, and the architect was Lev Rudnev. Nowadays, it is a place where numerous exhibitions, concerts and other cultural events are organized.

The most important and prestigious events take place in Sala Kongresowa. The Palace of Culture and Science has its own residence, among others. of the Polish Academy of Sciences, as well as a meeting of the Warsaw City Council. A real attraction has been prepared for tourists, namely, you can take the elevator to the observation deck, located on its thirtieth floor, and admire the wide panorama of the city from there. Looking to the east, you can see the red roofs of the Old Town, the towers of the former Royal Tract and Prague, cut off from the rest of the city by a winding river and located among lush greenery.

If you look to the south, you can see the remains of the 19th century buildings that were restored after the Second World War. The west of the city is full of glass and steel skyscrapers, and the north is built up with post-war residential complexes. It is worth knowing that in 2000, on the 42nd floor of the Palace of Culture and Science, the Millennium Clock was opened, which is one of the highest tower clocks in the world. In the Palace of Culture, it is worth visiting the extremely interesting Museum of Technology.

Maybe Warsaw is not the most attractive capital when it comes to tourist flow, but it cannot be denied its unique climate, modern, European character of the city center, unique monuments and numerous places marked by a dramatic and sometimes bloody history. In the city center you can see modern business skyscrapers made of glass and steel, in the Old Town you can walk along the old remains of centuries-old buildings, and on the outskirts there are large apartment buildings.

2. Old town

The entire Old Town was included in the list of UNESCO monuments, completely destroyed in the 1940s due to the destruction caused by military actions.

The calling card of Warsaw is undoubtedly the Old Town, beautifully restored after the destruction during the Second World War. Reconstructed according to the old plans, life was launched to the empty city from the post-war ruins.

The historical Old Town of Warsaw cannot be compared with the New Town. Both parts of Warsaw belong to the Old Town. They differ by no more than 6 months from the day of their rebirth.

It is worth knowing that the Old Town of Warsaw is a famous urban complex that was completely restored after military damage and was included in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List.

When visiting the painting of the Old Town of Warsaw, you should visit the unusual Kozy Street. It is here that a very interesting "bridge of sighs" is located, which connects several blocks of houses after beating the street. There is also one of the most interesting museums in Warsaw: the Museum of Caricature, founded on the initiative of the cartoonist Eric Lipinski, where collections of graphics, paintings and satirical photographs are presented. In 2015, the British newspaper The Guardian included them in the list of unique museums in Europe.

3. Castle square

In Warsaw, you must visit the Castle Square, which, together with the surrounding attractions, is undoubtedly one of the most interesting and closest to Warsaw attractions. This square was laid out in the 18th century. Here is the famous Column of Sigismund III Vasa. All buildings surrounding it were destroyed during the bombings. The first commemorative book was established in 1644 at the request of King Wladyslaw IV Vaza in honor of his father. It stands in the Royal Castle, the history of which dates back to the 12th century. It was then that the castle was built as the residence of the Masovian princes. For many years, it was the representative residence of the Polish government, as well as the German governor. Now you can visit an interesting museum exposition in the building.

Walking through the narrow streets of the Old Town, one often gets the impression that time has stopped here. However, it should be understood that most of the beautiful, colorful, orderly income houses, as well as the various decors that adorn them, were reconstructed or even built anew from the ruins immediately after the war. It is in these areas that we will find the most interesting, most characteristic places immortalized on postcards for tourists, such as the Castle Square with the monumental Castle, the Old Town Square, the Old Town Mermaid, Dung Hill, the Stone Stairs and the Barbican.

4. Royal Lazenki

Warsaw is a city where, contrary to appearances, there is a lot of greenery. Wonderful, large parks here are exceptionally well-kept, which helps to spend free time. It is impossible not to mention Lazenky Korolivski, a favorite park of locals who visit the capital as willingly as tourists. In the very heart of this green oasis is the summer residence of the last king of Poland, Stanisław August Poniatowski.

The park got its unusual name from a bathhouse founded in the 17th century, which was rebuilt into a palace a hundred years later. It was here, in the famous Palace on the island, that King Stanislaus August Poniatowski gave his dinners on Thursdays, to which the most famous guests, scientists and poets of the time were invited. Today, there is a wonderful museum here, where you can see exhibitions of paintings from the royal collections.

In the park, it is worth visiting the amphitheater, the greenhouse, the Hunting and Riding Museum, the court theater of the 18th century and numerous charming sculptures. In the summer, one of Chopin's famous open-air concerts is a must. In summer, concerts take place every Sunday at 12:00 and 16:00. Just sitting on the green grass, enjoy the beauty of classical piano music.

5. Royal Castle

Rebuilt from scratch after war damage, the Royal Castle is one of the most visited sights in Warsaw. In its halls you can see valuable exhibits, including royal thrones. At the foot of the castle on the Vistula side, Kubytsky's arcades and two-level gardens have been carefully restored. It is worth seeing all these places, as well as places where guides do not usually take you.

6. Multimedia fountain park

This park is located near the old town. A beautiful place full of lights that you will want to see. The lights dance to the music. One of the colorful places in Warsaw.

7. Warsaw Uprising Museum

The memory of the Second World War is still alive in the capital. For this reason, it is worth visiting one of the most interesting museums in Warsaw, dedicated to the history of the participation of Poles in the Warsaw Uprising. It is here that a seventy-year-old story is presented in an extremely innovative, modern way, using multimedia technologies.

The museum occupies an area of more than 3000 m2 and is located on the site of the former tram power station. The interior of this monumental museum resembles the streets of war-torn Warsaw, and the halls are arranged to take into account the chronology of events. The biggest attractions of this place are undoubtedly the replica of the Liberator B-24J bomber and the observation tower, on the walls of which the names of the fallen are written. This place with painful traces of our history is good to visit with a child. He will get to know the history of his grandparents in the original form. Here, among other things, there is a small room of the rebels, where animators use toys and puzzles to depict the history of the Warsaw Uprising.

8. Museum of the History of Polish Jews

Another museum worth visiting is the Museum of the History of Polish Jews, opened not so long ago. The history of two peoples living side by side - Poles and Jews - dates back more than a thousand years. Modern interactive exhibitions will present an interesting journey through the ages. The museum building itself impresses with its original design and is one of the most beautiful buildings in modern Warsaw.

9. Copernicus Science Center

One of the newest, created in recent years, but already very popular attractions in Warsaw is the Copernicus Science Center, which is unique on a national scale. It is one of the largest such places in Europe, which has collected more than 500 exhibits representing the intricacies of biology, chemistry, physics, astronomy and many other sciences. In addition to permanent exhibits such as Man and Environment, The World in Motion, Roots of Civilization, Bzzz!, Zone of Light, and Re: Generations, there are numerous temporary exhibits that change frequently. .

The Copernicus Science Center is an attractive place not only for children, but also for their parents. Here, all the exhibits can be touched and used. Adults will also find a lot of interesting things for themselves. Whole families can take part in organized educational workshops in various fields of science or watch a theatrical performance of robots. Exhibitions at the Copernicus Science Center are felt by all the senses! This is a great attraction to watch, you can easily spend a whole day here and not be bored at all!

10. Museum of the Palace of King John III in Vilanov.

An absolutely gorgeous palace with beautiful gardens worth visiting all year round. On winter nights, the palace and surrounding gardens are decorated with thousands of lights on various themes. For the art connoisseur - an amazing collection of antiques not only of European, but also of Eastern, Egyptian and Greek art. For others, statues and fountains surrounded by colorful gardens with lots of absolutely beautiful flowers.

11. Saxon Garden

Beautiful gardens to sit and relax. You can have a great walk and have a good time. It is recommended to plan a 2-hour visit.

12. Presidential Palace

Well guarded and often photographed. This beautiful neoclassical building is home to the President of Poland and is constantly guarded. One of the most important places in Warsaw. Very good location in Kraków Suburb. It would be nice to see it from the inside, not just the outside.

13. National Museum

This museum is quite large, you need to spend at least a few hours, because there are a lot of different works of art. It is worth seeing a vivid picture of the Battle of Grunwald (Matejko), which is easily recognizable to everyone. A bonus is a 19th century painting depicting the Vilnius Town Hall. Extremely informative and interesting few hours spent in this place. A wonderful building that houses the museum. Excellent location and layout. Convenient navigation.

14. Mokotivske Field

It's a huge park between the student dormitories and the National Library, so it's full of students. There are many trees, an artificial pond, several pubs, etc. Many young people either play volleyball or relax with friends.

15. Mermaid

The symbol of the capital, depicted on its coat of arms, is a half-woman, half-fish mermaid. In the city you can see as many as two statues of her, as well as many decorations on the theme. One of the statues of the Warsaw mermaid can be found in Old Town Square. The second was located near the Świętokrzyskie Bridge. It is worth getting to know the legend about this unusual person. Apparently, Rusalka still protects Warsaw to this day in gratitude for rescuing her from the hands of the merchant who kidnapped her. The figure of a sensual half-woman-half-fish became the coat of arms of Warsaw in the first half of the 14th century.