The capital of Poland is for me a city where I still have mixed feelings - I don't quite know if I liked it or not. The city itself offers a lot to visit, even if it's for a couple of days, and has a nice old town. But I found the people, the architecture and its environment a bit too unhappy. What I mean has nothing to do with a depressive level, but instead with something regarding the city's history, religion or even the 1st and 2nd world wars. Many post-war landmarks - like The Ghetto Wall and Jewish Heritage, the Warsaw's Unknown Soldiers' Grave or the Warsaw Uprising Monument - are allusive to this and can be found throughout the city. Anyhow, I enjoyed the Old Town Market Place with its colourful houses and the famous Mermaid Statue, not forgetting the Barbican, an historic 16th-century castle defense wall located north. On the south side, the Royal Castle and the Sigismund's Column are situated in a large square along the Krakowskie Przedmieście street, as if they were greeting all those who are about to enter the town. Not far away is the St. Anne's Church. The main basilica called St. John's Archcathedral and many other churches can be found in the old town and, as expected from a Roman catholic country, everywhere in its outskirts. At the end of the Krakowskie Przedmieście is the Presidential Palace and directly in front of it a landscaped public park named Saxon Garden. In its perimeter is the Piłsudski Square and there you'll finally see the Warsaw's Unknown Soldiers' Grave, where always two guards keep their stand. Speaking about parks, the largest park and palace complex of the capital, and one of my favourites - the Lazienki Park - is located in a long walk south from the centre. There you can appreciate nature, the lakes, a cultural atmosphere with an open air theater, an orangerie and several marble statues. You can even define it as a romantic spot. If you actually do decide to walk there, please make a stop at the Museum of the Polish Army, a place for old aircrafts, helicopters and other kinds of air transportation.
Just outside Warsaw's main station is the Palace of Culture and Science and from its 30th floor terrace you can get an incredible panoramic view of the city.
Tip: take your time in the Jewish Quarter and Cemetery.
Just outside Warsaw's main station is the Palace of Culture and Science and from its 30th floor terrace you can get an incredible panoramic view of the city.
Tip: take your time in the Jewish Quarter and Cemetery.
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