|
Informations about hotels, castles and palaces, fairs, UNESCO world heritage, biznes travel - in Poland
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Warsaw (Warszawa)
|
See list of Warsaw Hotels >>
 Warsaw became one of the principal cities in Poland comparatively late in history, but its central position favored rapid development, which even the many wars could not prevent. A mermaid (Syrena) holding a sword above her head in one hand and a shield in the other is the city's symbol. According to the legend, Warsaw was founded when the Mermaid ordered two fishermen Wars and Sawa, to form a city. The history of Warsaw goes back to the late 13thcentury and the early 14thcentury although the first record of its existence dates back to the 10th- 11thcentury.
In the 14thcentury Prince I the Old (1374 - 1429) proclaimed Warsaw to be the capital of the Mazovian Principality and this fact influenced the development of the town.
In the second half of the 15thcentury the town was surrounded by a double ring of fortified walls with towers and a deep moat. The turn of the 15thand 16thcentury was a period of its great economic development.
In the 1596 King Sigismundus III Vasa changed the capital of Poland from Cracow to Warsaw.
The Swedish invasion in the mid - 17thcentury interrupted the city's development. The cultural heritage was totally destroyed. Under the reign of the last Polish King, Stanislaw August Poniatowski (second half of the 18thcentury), the second "Golden Age" of Warsaw flourished. In 1791 the May 3rdConstitution was proclaimed, the first legal act of its kind in Europe and the second in the world. After the third partition in 1795 Poland was erased from Europe's map for a period of 123 years. The loss of independence made Warsaw the center of the struggle for national and social liberation. Its population actively supported the November (1830) and January (1863) Uprisings.
On the 11thNovember 1918 Poland regained independence. The years between the first and the second World Wars were a period for development of education, science and culture. On the 1st September 1939 the Second World War broke out. It was the most terrifying period in the history of this town. After the Warsaw Uprising in 1944 the town was almost completely destroyed - 85% of its buildings were in ruins.
Warsaw, the capital of Poland is a phenomenon on the European scale. It has been destroyed many times, burnt down and razed to the ground but it has always revived itself stronger and more beautiful. This fact should be remembered when one visits Warsaw.
|
|
Recommended places and excursions while visiting Warsaw
|
Sightseeing tour of Warsaw
While in Warsaw you should take the opportunity of a guided sightseeing tour of the city. The tour includes visits to the most popular places of interest in Warsaw including: the Royal Castle Square, King Sigismund's column, St. John's Cathedral, the Old Town Market Square, the Barbican, the Ghetto Memorial, the Monument of the Warsaw, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Royal route with former palaces and famous statues. Duration: approximately 4h 30m
 Wilanow Palace and Park
When in Warsaw you should visit The Palace in Wilanow, originally the King John III Sobieski's summer residence, which is one of the most beautiful monuments of the Polish baroque architecture and one of the oldest museums in Poland with marvelous collection of paintings, porcelain, products of Chinese art and ancient vases, very valuable manuscripts, drawings, maps and books. The Palace in Wilanow is surrounded by a park where a two - level baroque garden constitutes its center. The museum is open every day from 10 a.m. till 3 p.m. except Tuesday. For more information please contact your Tour Director.
Lazienki Park
The Palace on the Water was built as a summer residence to the last Polish King Stnislaw August Poniatowski. At the same time other edifices belonging to the huge complex called Lazienki can be seen, e.g. The White House, Myslewicki Palace, Kordegarda, The Little Theatre, an Orangery and Amphitheater. All the monuments of architecture are set in beautiful parkland. In 1939 staff of the National Museum transported all the works of art from Lazienki to protect them against destruction. During the war, Lazienki was methodically plundered. In 1944 many buildings were set in flames. After the war Lazienki was rebuilt, works of art returned to its interiors and if today the Kings visited the Palace he would certainly feel at home.
Chopin Music Recital
While visiting Warsaw you cannot miss hearing about Fryderyk Chopin. One of the greatest composers in World's history was born 80 km from Warsaw in 1810. Famous for his Mazurkas, Polonais and many other masterpieces. You can see the monument dedicated to this brilliant musician. You can also listen to Chopin music concert performed by well - known musicians of the great fame. Enjoy your time at this precious monument and why not to continue the pleasure by having dinner at the Belvedere restaurant at Lazienki Park, the most Polish in the town. Ask your Tour Director for assistance.
Polish Folklore Evening
In the evening do not miss dinner with a folklore performance at one of typical Polish restaurants. While enjoying the music and dances of a Polish folklore we recommend you to try some of the specialties of old Polish cuisine, e.g. bigos, pierogi or zurek with some glasses of Polish vodka or you may even drink real mead prepared according to an old national recipe. Both towns, Warsaw and Cracow offer a variety of folk restaurants with traditional dancing and singing groups. Ask your Tour Director for assistance.
Traces of Jewish Getto
The Warsaw Ghetto was established by the Nazis during the Second World War and was a place of imprisonment of over 400.000 Jews altogether. It covered the whole area between the Palace of Culture and the Monument of the Umschlagplatz, from where Jews were sent to death in the concentration camps.
The route includes: area of the Warsaw Ghetto, the Monument of the Heroes of the Ghetto, Bunker, the Umschlagplatz Monument, the Ghetto Wall, the Jewish cementary, Nozyk Synagogue and the Korczak's Museum.
|
|
Outskirts of Warsaw
|
 Visit to Chopin's house - Zelazowa Wola - a village on the Utrata River, about 50 - km from Warsaw - the birthplace of the genius composer and virtuoso - Fryderyk Chopin. Chopin's family lived in the manor house, now a museum with interiors in the style of his times, dedicated to the great composer.
Niepokalanow - village with the Basilica of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Franciscan monastery, founded by St. M. Kolbe, at present one of the most important places of pilgrimages in Poland.
Brochow - typical Mazovian village with a Renaissance basilica of defensive character erected in the 16th century, the place of the Chopin's parents' wedding and of the baptism of F. Chopin.
|
|
Niobe Sunday Mazovian Countryside Tour
|
This exciting tour will guide you along charming village and farms beautifully set in the old Kampinos Forest, former battlefields, nobleman palaces and manor houses - to the most fabulous sites of the Mazovian Country.
Pilaszkow - manor house from the middle of the 15th century, the place is substantially entagled with the Polish history.
Nieborow Palace - a gorgeous Radziwil family residence, where you shall encounter the famous Niobe - an antique sculpture.
Zelazowa Wola - the birthplace of Fryderyk Chopin. Worth visiting all year round. Piano recital at the Chopin house or Nieborow Palace
Brochow - typical Mazovian village with Renaissance basilica of defensive character erected in the 16th century (the place of the Chopin's parents' wedding and the Chopin's baptism).
|
|
Useful telephone numbers
|
(Each number should follow the country & city code: 0048 - 22 if calling outside Poland)
Warsaw Tourist Information Center
1/13 Zamkowy Sq., tel: 635 18 81
Train Information
- international connection, tel: 620 45 12
- local connection, tel: 620 03 61
Bus information, tel: 94 33
LOT Polish Airlines information, tel: 9572, 9573
Road Service: 24 hours service, tel: 981, 9637
2, Kaszubska Street, tel: 41 66 21
17a Sniadeckich Street, tel: 25 95 14
Police, tel: 997
Fire service, tel: 998
Ambulance, tel: 999
55 Hoza Street, 24 h hospital: 628 24 24
Drugstore 24 h, 76 Grojecka Street, tel 22 28 91
For more information (e.g. embassies, airlines, museums, theatres, cinemas, restaurants, night clubs) or to check updates - refer to PolishTravel.com.pl
|
|
|
|
|
|
Booking condition
Booking change
Booking cancelation
|
 |
|
