| Warsaw Sightseeing Tour on Thursday, 27 May 2010, 19.00 hr |
Welcome to Warsaw - a city to spend several days in, to get to know its character, discover the extraordinary history of the capital of Poland and surrender to its unique atmosphere.
The sightseeing tour starts at Novotel Hotel. Participants that have registered for the sightseeing tour are taken on tour that presents the most important monuments and places in Warsaw.
|
| Socialist Realism in Warsaw |
 Between 1949-1956, the architects were given the task of rebuilding Warsaw out of the rubble of the war were forced to use a new style of design: it had to be ‘socialist in content and national in form’. The best examples of social realism are seen in Warsaw's buildings: MDM and the Palace of Culture and Science, which are elaborately decorated with monumental sculptures depicting peasants, workers and labour leaders.
Palace of Culture and Science (Pałac Kultury i Nauki) It was given by Stalin as a ‘gift from the Soviet Union to Polish nation’, and it is the youngest monument in Warsaw, as it is just barely 50 years old. Despite its youth, it is the most characteristic (and the tallest) building in Warsaw, standing at 234.5 meters. In the Palace of Culture there are more than 3,000 rooms, and its unquestionable attraction is the terrace at the 30th floor, from which you can admire a magnificent panorama of the capital. Historical monuments and the most attractive places are located along tourist routes: |
| Konstytucji Square (Plac Konstytucji) |
 The main point of MDM. Its name was to commemorate the Stalinist Communist Constitution, adopted in 1952. The square was drawn at the axis of Marszalkowska Street, close to MDM. Due to the devastation of the war, many of the original houses were demolished and had to be rebuilt. The square is one of the world's largest examples of social realist planning - seven major traffic routes coincide here, and the space is often used for public gatherings and concerts. The most visible elements of the square are the characteristic, monumental lamp-posts. |
THE ROYAL ŁAZIENKI PARK (ŁAZIENKI KRÓLEWSKIE)
|
www.lazienki-krolewskie.pl
|
 The Palace and Park Complex in Łazienki Królewskie (Zespół pałacowo-ogrodowy w Łazienkach Królewskich) The park and palace complex at Łazienki are one of the most beautiful of this type in Europe. Established in the 17th century, the landscape gardens feature many interesting architectural monuments, the most important of which include the Palace on the Island by D. Merlini and K. Kramsetzer built for King Stanisław August Poniatowski – Poland’s last monarch. It served as his summer residence and was famous for the Thursday dinners. Other notable features include the amphitheatre (near the palace), the Myslewicki Palace, where the royal courtiers lived, the Orangery, the Guardhouses and the White House. Near the Łazienki Park are the Botanic Gardens of Warsaw University. |
The Fryderyk Chopin Monument (Pomnik Fryderyka Chopina)
The monument is one of the most recognizable symbols of Warsaw world wide. For the last 50 years every Sunday from May till September Chopin concerts have been performed here at the foot of the monument. The concerts always draw crowds of people. More information |
The Belvedere (Belweder)
A classicist palace and the former seat of the national authorities. Built in the 17th century, in the middle of the 18th century owned by Stanisław A. Poniatowski who established a porcelain manufactory here. From 1818 it served as the residence of the Great Prince Constantine, the tsar’s governor in Poland during the annexation. In later years, it was the official seat of Marshal Józef Pilsudski and the Presidents of inter-war Poland. The last President to reside in the Belvedere was Lech Wałęsa. In front of the Palace is the statue of Marshal Józef Piłsudski – Commander-in-Chief of The Polish Legions and Head of State of the Polish Republic.
|
Ujazdowskie Avenue (Aleje Ujazdowskie)
One of the most elegant streets of Warsaw running from Trzech Krzyży Square to Belwederska Street. The avenue has many historical palaces, villas, fine tenement houses, embassies and the buildings of the Offce of the Council of Ministers, on one side and opposite the beautiful green areas of the the Ujazdowski Park and the Łazienki Królewskie Park with the Belvedere.
Trzech Krzyży Square (Plac Trzech Krzyży)
An important crossroads in the capital city where in the 17th century most of the important municipal routes met. The square was then named the Golden Crosses Crossroads (Rozdroże Złotych Krzyży) after the golden crucifxes on columns. Today, the Square is a place to spend your free time at the fashionable cafes and restaurants as well as a bit of shopping at the elegant boutiques and outlets of exclusive global brands. |
Church of St. Alexander (Kościół św. Aleksandra)
A classicist church designed by Ch. P. Aigner, in honor of Tsar Aleksander I, based on Rome’s Pantheon. |
Nowy Świat
A street along which there are numerous exclusive shops, galleries, fashionable clubs, elegant restaurants and cafes. During the summer season, the street is closed to vehicles at weekends and becomes a pedestrian precinct.
|
| THE ROYAL ROUTE (TRAKT KRÓLEWSKI) |
The most representative arterial route of the city connecting the former royal residences. It starts with the Royal Castle and runs towards the Łazienki Park and then further to Wilanów. It passes through a large urban complex, and enchants with its palaces, tenement buildings, mansions and churches.
Krakowskie Przedmieście
The most prestigious street in Warsaw. Following extensive renovation, the street is now a pedestrian precinct with vehicle access limited to public transport. Along the pavements there are reproductions of the paintings of 18th century Warsaw by Canaletto and to rest there are numerous cafes and restaurants.
|
Church of St. Anne (Kościół św. Anny)
One of the oldest and most important churches in Warsaw. Originally built in Gothic style in the second half of the century, it had seen numerous additions to its shape over the past centuries. The current classicist façade conceals a rich Baroque interior. Another feature worth noting is the viewing platform on top of the church tower. |
The Presidential / Governor’s Palace (Pałac Prezydencki /Namiestnikowski)
The largest Warsaw palace, its construction commissioned in 1643. From 1994 it served as the offcial home of the Polish President. It was the residence of Lech Wałęsa, Aleksander Kwaśniewski and today’s President – Lech Kaczyński. The Palace is fronted by the monument to prince Józef Poniatowski by B. Thorvaldsen. More information
|
The Bristol Hotel
Long regarded as the best and most luxurious hotel in Warsaw, it has welcomed many celebrities John Fitzgerald Kennedy, Marlena Dietrich, Pablo Picasso and Robert Nixon, to name a few. |
| THE OLD TOWN (STARE MIASTO) |
The history of the oldest part of the city dates back to the 13th century, when it was established as a fortified settlement encircling the Duke of Płock’s castle. Almost completely destroyed during the World War II, with the 90% of the buildings razed to the ground, the city was rebuilt at enormous cost and effort of the citizens of Warsaw. The result of the painstaking process of the city’s reconstruction resulted in the inclusion of the Old Town on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1980. Today, it is a thriving and popular pedestrian area with numerous galleries, restaurants and cafes charming tourists and Varsovians alike, a place to breathe in its unique atmosphere.
The King Zygmunt III Waza Column (Kolumna Zygmunta III Wazy)
The oldest and tallest secular monument in Warsaw, the column was erected in 1644 on the initiative of King Władysław IV, in honor of his father, King Zygmunt III Waza who moved the capital of Poland from Krakow to Warsaw. Rising twenty two meters above Zamkowy Square, the column is among Warsaw’s most important monuments and as such a popular meeting spot for many Varsovians. |
The Royal Castle (Zamek Królewski)
www.zamek-krolewski.pl
Constructed at the turn of 16th and 17th century as a royal residence, the castle has been rebuilt and re-modeled many times. It was rebuilt using the generous donations of city’s citizens, which enabled it to be restored to its past glory, after its destruction during the World War II. The valuable furnishings that survived the war can now be seen at the permanent museum exhibitions.
The Old Town Market Square (Rynek Starego Miasta)
Definitely the highlight of past and present Warsaw, the square has remained unchanged, except for one element, since the city’s foundation. Once, the centre of the square was occupied by the town hall, which was demolished later and replaced by a number of 19th century water pumps and the Warsaw mermaid.
A legend has it that one of the townhouses was inhabited by Basilisk, a monster that guarded the treasures in the basement. Anyone who dared to stare at him faced immediate death under his ferocious stare. |
The Warsaw Mermaid Statue (Pomnik Warszawskiej Syrenki)
Warsaw’s best loved statue is the symbol of Warsaw and the municipal coat of arms since the beginning of the 20th century. There are three mermaid statues in Warsaw: one is located in the Old Town Square, another overlooks the Vistula River near the Świętokrzyski Bridge and the third can be found on Karowa Street. |
