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Warsaw Holidays, Hotels & Travel Guide
Travel guide to hotels & holidays in Warsaw
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Warsaw Holidays Overview
A guide to holidays in Warsaw - As the capital of Poland, Warsaw was one of the
most beautiful and sophisticated cities in Central Europe until its
almost total destruction during the Nazi occupation of World War
II. The end of the war saw most of the city reduced to rubble and
ruins, and the majority of the population had either been killed or
interred in Nazi concentration camps.
The city
underwent a major regeneration following the havoc of destruction,
and the buildings in the heart of the old city were meticulously
restored. Most of the historic Old Town was painstakingly rebuilt
from a pile of debris, restoring it to its original 17th and 18th
century appearance, with the charming old market square at its
centre, now a major World Heritage Site attraction.
Warsaw is divided into two distinct halves by the Vistula
River, with the Old Town, the modern city centre and most of the
attractions on the western side. The eastern side of the river
comprises of uninteresting residential suburbs and business
districts. The post-war appearance of Warsaw is a modern urban
landscape of high-rise buildings, and the years of communist rule
have left an uninspiring architectural legacy of drab concrete
structures and uniform prefab-style housing. Dominating the skyline
is the city's eyesore, the massive shape of the Palace of Science
and Culture, Stalin's bequest to its citizens.
Lying in determined contrast to the concrete greyness are
traces of Poland's grand past, including castles and palaces, open
parklands, impressive churches and the restored streets of the
historic old centre. Signs of former political austerity have been
replaced by modern progression, with dreary state shops turned into
fashionable boutiques, and consumerism a growing trend.
Although many people give scant regard to Warsaw as an
appealing tourist destination, it is still Poland's largest city
and the political, economic, scientific and cultural hub of the
country. It has many museums and historical monuments, galleries
and historic attractions, a variety of restaurants and open-air
cafes, and an energetic nightlife. With green open spaces and
classical music concerts, this modern bustling city is a far cry
from the severe Communist-era images of post-war
Warsaw.
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Warsaw
holidays - Top Places To Go
1. Old Town (Starego Miasta)
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What is it? The busy Old Town provides the historic focal
point of the city, having been rebuilt in the original 17th and
18th century style following the almost total destruction of the
city during the war. The picturesque Old Market Square (Rynek) is
at the centre, surrounded by restored buildings and colourful
three-story merchant houses with Baroque and Renaissance facades,
lively open-air restaurants, art stalls and the Historical Museum
of Warsaw. Around the two old central water pumps, the atmosphere
is a constant buzz of activity with buskers, painters and musicians
providing entertainment for the milling crowds, while around the
fringes the clattering of hooves signals the arrival of a another
traditional horse-drawn carriage. Leading from the square is a
network of cobbled streets and alleyways that contain beautiful
Gothic churches and former palaces of the aristocracy. The
impressive Royal Castle was once the home of the Polish Kings and
is now a museum displaying tapestries, period furniture, portraits
and other decorative collections. The narrow streets also lead to
the ramparts and watchtowers of the medieval walls surrounding the
old city.
Hours of Operation:
Phone: |
2. Historical Museum of Warsaw
Rynek Starego Miasta (Old Town Square) 28-42
www.mhw.pl |
What is it? The History Museum is one of the best of
Warsaw's museums. Its three-stories are crammed with fascinating
exhibitions covering every aspect of Warsaw's history and life,
from its beginnings to the present day, and there are old
photographs, clippings and articles on display from everyday
pre-war city life. The museum's special feature is a documentary
film showing the destruction and reconstruction of the city, with
footage shot by the Nazis during their calculated and systematic
annihilation. The film is shown in English at 12pm Tuesday to
Saturday.
Hours of Operation: Tuesday and Thursday 11am to 6pm, Wednesday and
Friday 10am to 3.30pm, Saturday and Sunday 10.30am to 4.30pm.
Closed Mondays
Phone:(0)22 635 1625 |
3. The Royal Way
Krakowski Prezedmie?cie becoming Nowy ?wiat
www.wilanow-palac.art.pl |
What is it? Known as the Royal Way, this two-and-a-half
mile (4km) route stretches from the Royal Castle in the Old Town to
the stately King's palace at Wilanów on the outskirts of the city.
It is the most important thoroughfare bisecting the central city
from north to south and is lined with galleries, museums and
historical buildings, including St Anne's Church, where the Polish
princes used to swear homage to the king. Along the way are the
royal gardens of Park Lazienki, one of the city's beautiful open
green spaces with its lakes, peacocks and the charming 18th-century
Palace Upon the Water, the royal summer residence. There is a
monument to the famous Polish composer, Chopin, and outdoor
concerts of his classical music are held on the lawns in summer.
The Royal Way ends at the splendid Wilanów Palace, the former
residence of King Jan III Sobieski that was modelled on Versailles.
It is now a museum containing a marvellous collection of old
paintings and furniture. In the well-kept park behind the palace is
the Orangery housing an art gallery, and the Poster Museum in the
former royal stables has changing exhibitions of Poland's renowned
poster art.
Hours of Operation: Wilanów Palace: daily except Tuesdays 9am to 4pm.
From 15 May to 18 September the palace is open until 6pm on
Wednesdays and until 7pm on Sundays. The park is open daily 9am
until dusk
Phone: |
Warsaw
holidays - Top Events
1. Mozart Festival
From 2007-06-14
To 2007-07-25
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What is it? Every summer, music lovers from around the
world flock to Warsaw to attend the highlight of the city's music
season, the Warsaw Chamber Opera's Mozart Festival. Presentations
of the complete stage works of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart include some
of his most popular operas, including Don
Giovanni and The Marriage of Figaro,
as well as symphonies and instrumental
ensembles.
Where is it? Warsaw Chamber Opera |
2. JVC Jazz Jamboree
From 2007-10-27
To 2007-10-29
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What is it? Since its inception 43 years ago, the
international jazz festival has become a major annual event in the
world of jazz and is the oldest and most prestigious festival of
its kind in Poland. Besides attracting top international
performers, the Polish music scene is well represented with past
concerts by national greats such as Tomasz Stanko and Michal
Urbaniak.
Where is it? Sala Kongresowa (Palace of Culture and Science) |
3. Piano Festival
From 2006-11-25
To 2006-11-29
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What is it? For five days at three stunning venues in the
Polish capital, the Ludwig van Beethoven Association present some
of the finest young virtuosos and masters of the piano. The aim of
the festival is to promote piano music in a wider sphere and gain
attention for the talented performers as they perform masterpieces
from the greats: Mozart, Chopin, Liszt, Bach, Rachmaninov,
Prokofiev and of course Beethoven.
Where is it? Warsaw Philharmonic Hall; Warsaw Philharmonic Chamber Hall;
Royal Castle ? Grand Hall |
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