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    Tourist Attractions in Warsaw

    The most interesting and beautiful tourist attractions in Warsaw. Photos and a brief description.

    Warsaw
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    About Warsaw

    Over the seven centuries of its existence, Warsaw has experienced several conquests and destructions. The entire historical center of the city was razed to the ground during the Second World War. For decades, restorers painstakingly studied documents, old engravings and photographs and literally brick by brick restored the capital of Poland from the ruins.

    As a brilliant example of restoration, the historical center with its squares, castles and churches was included in the UNESCO Heritage List. Nowadays, a tourist strolling through the Market Square and contemplating the powerful royal castle will hardly guess that these attractions are only a few decades old.

    Top Tourist Attractions in Warsaw

    Old Town

    The historical center of the city. In the XIII century, the first stone of the future Polish capital was laid here. The Old Town has been bustling with life for centuries – merchants gathered at fairs, traveling artists staged street performances, crowds of onlookers gathered to watch the bonfires where witches and sorcerers were burned. Of the historical buildings, almost nothing has survived, only the basement floors and basements, but this does not make the Old Town lose its charm.

    Old Town
    Vilyanuva Palace

    Vilyanuva Palace

    The palace is 10 km away. from the Polish capital. It was erected in the XVII century for King Jan Sobieski and his wife Maria Casimira Luisa. At the request of the Queen, during the construction, the creators focused on the French architectural school (the Baroque style prevails). At the beginning of the XIX century, one of the first art museums in Poland was opened on the territory. During the Nazi occupation, the museum's collections were looted, but then they were returned back to Poland.

    Royal Castle

    An architectural and cultural monument in the center of Warsaw, erected in the XVI-XVII centuries by the Lithuanian Prince Sigismund. During the Northern War, the castle was looted by the Swedes and gradually deteriorated. It is noteworthy that in 1829, the Russian Emperor Nicholas I was married here to the kingdom of Poland (at that time the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth was part of the Russian Empire). The modern Royal Castle is a copy of the structure blown up by the Nazis in World War II.

    Royal Castle
    Castle Square

    Castle Square

    The central square of Warsaw, surrounded by the main attractions. It is located within the Old Town. In the center of the square there is a memorial column in honor of King Sigismund III Vaza. From the Castle Square begins the Royal Highway, which leads to the country residence of Jan III. In the Middle Ages, this place was the focus of urban life, all the main events took place here.

    Market Square

    Another central square surrounded by houses with multicolored plaster. Each building is unique, each facade has a different pattern and colors. The market square in previous centuries was the trading pulse of Warsaw. It was always crowded, lively and fun. Taking a leisurely walk around this place, you can feel the real atmosphere of the Middle Ages.

    Market Square
    Warsaw Barbican

    Warsaw Barbican

    A powerful fortress structure of the XVI century in the system of fortifications of the Old City, built according to the project of the Italian master D. Batista. The building did not perform defensive functions. There is a monument to the Siren at the base of the Barbican tower. According to legend, in ancient times, a siren emerged from the river and informed people that soon a great city would appear on the banks. Nowadays, an exhibition gallery is located on the territory of the fort.

    Warsaw Citadel

    The Russian fortress of the XIX century, built by order of the imperial authorities after the November uprising. It housed a prison for political prisoners and rebels. Important historical milestones of the Polish national liberation movement are associated with the fortress. After the occupation of Poland in 1915, the citadel passed into the hands of the Germans. But they were expelled in 1918. The fortress was transferred to the newly formed Polish independent state.

    Warsaw Citadel
    Monument to the Warsaw Uprising

    Monument to the Warsaw Uprising

    The monument commemorating the fallen Polish patriots during the Warsaw Uprising of 1944. It was officially opened in 1989 at the very place where freedom fighters were hiding from the German occupiers. The composition depicts two groups of rebels who seem to rise from the ruins and bravely rush into battle. The monument is one of the most interesting and visited monuments in Warsaw.

    Church of St. John the Baptist

    The Polish name of the church is St. Jan's Church. This is the oldest Catholic church in the capital, which was built in the XII-XIV centuries. Important events have taken place here for centuries: coronations, peace treaties, magnificent funerals of monarchs. The church played the role of the spiritual center of the Polish state. The modern building of the temple is a new model, since the historical building was demolished during the German occupation.

    Church of St. John the Baptist
    Church of the Holy Cross

    Church of the Holy Cross

    The church of the XVI century, which also could not escape the fate of being destroyed in the Second World War. In the middle of the XIX century, there was a statue of Jesus carrying the cross in front of the temple. The church is notable for the fact that in one of its walls there is an urn with the ashes of Frédéric Chopin. In the XX century, the temple was completely rebuilt, but work on the exterior and interior decoration continued in the XXI century.

    St. Casimir 's Church

    The temple was founded by the ruler Jan III and his wife in the XVII century at their own expense. Inside is the tomb of the Polish princess – daughter of Jan III. The church was built in the style of classicism and Baroque with strict observance of geometric proportions according to the project of architect T. Gamerski. After the bombing, only the garden of the XVII century was preserved. The temple was rebuilt in the middle of the XX century.

    St. Casimir 's Church
    St. Anna 's Church

    St. Anna 's Church

    The current cathedral, which arose thanks to the generous funding of Princess Anna Radziwill. Her ashes rest inside the church. Due to the numerous alterations in the architectural composition, a single style is not traced, a mixture of elements from different eras prevails. The bell tower of the church is used as an observation deck. According to legend, if a young couple gets married in the Church of St. Anna, then the marriage will be long and prosperous.

    Frédéric Chopin Museum

    Frédéric Chopin is a famous Polish composer whose career was connected with Warsaw. The museum's exposition consists of items belonging to the musician. In addition to letters, musical scores and personal belongings, you can see the piano at which the master worked. In addition to the traditional exhibition, there is a multimedia exposition where you can learn about the details of Chopin's biography.

    Frédéric Chopin Museum
    Marie Sklodowska-Curie Museum

    Marie Sklodowska-Curie Museum

    A museum dedicated to the research and life of the famous physicist Maria Sklodovskaya-Curie. Thanks to her research, the table of chemical elements was replenished with two new elements – polonium and radium. The name "polonium" was given to the substance in honor of the scientist's homeland — Poland. Maria has been awarded the Nobel Prize twice. The museum was organized in 1967 by the efforts of her daughter Eva Curie.

    Museum of the Polish Army

    A museum dedicated to the Polish armed forces. The exposition covers the period from the emergence of the Polish state to the present. The open-air exhibition presents samples of weapons from other countries: artillery pieces, tanks, fighters, armored vehicles. Inside there are collections of medieval weapons, armor, banners. The museum houses the cocked hat and saddle of Napoleon Bonaparte.

    Museum of the Polish Army
    Copernicus Science Center

    Copernicus Science Center

    An interactive scientific museum where visitors are invited to conduct experiments on their own. It is one of the most advanced museums of this type in Europe. The interior space is divided into several thematic zones, telling about the whole layers of human knowledge. The first permanent exhibition was launched in 2010, and after 1.5 years the museum was visited by about 2 million people.

    Palace of Culture and Science

    A high-rise structure, almost an exact copy of Stalin's skyscrapers in Moscow. It was erected by the Russian architect L. Rudnev by order of I.V. Stalin, who thus wanted to make a gift to the Polish people. Offices, cinemas, a large conference hall, museums and exhibition galleries are located here. The spire of the building dominates all the buildings of Warsaw and serves as a landmark for tourists who do not know the city.

    Palace of Culture and Science
    Uyazdovsky Castle

    Uyazdovsky Castle

    The former residence of the Saxon Elector and King Augustus II, an exact copy of the building of the XVII century, which was destroyed during the Second World War. Since 1975, the castle began to be restored from the very foundation, in 1981 a Center for Contemporary Art was opened on its territory. Nowadays, the Uyazdovsky Castle has become a platform for numerous creative festivals, screenings of author's films, art salons and photo exhibitions.

    Lazenkovsky Palace

    Another former residence of Elector Augustus II the Strong. This majestic and picturesque building was called the "palace by the water", as its base is installed directly on the surface of the river. The palace complex consists of the main building, a swimming pool, a white house with galleries and pavilions. An art gallery is located inside the main building, where more than 2 thousand canvases are exhibited.

    Lazenkovsky Palace
    Lazenki

    Lazenki

    A picturesque quiet park surrounding the Lazenkovsky Palace. It was created as a nature reserve, but eventually became a public square. Since the beginning of the XIX century, the entrance to the territory was allowed for all people. There is a monument to F. Chopin in the park – a copy of the monument of 1926, which was destroyed by the Nazis. It is pleasant to walk along well-groomed park alleys and paths on a fine summer day.text