Warsaw - Varșovia

Palace of Culture and Science

Warsaw (pl .: Warszawa, pronounced: / varˈșava /, official name miasto stołeczne Warszawa, the capital city of Warsaw) is the capital Poland from 1596, when King Sigismund III moved the capital from Krakow. The population of Warsaw is estimated at 1,708,491 inhabitants. The Old Historic Center of Warsaw was inscribed on the World Cultural Heritage List in 1980 UNESCO.

About

History

Warsaw is notable among the capitals of Europe not for its size, age, or beauty, but for its indestructibility. It is a phoenix that has been reborn several times from the ashes of war. Suffering great damage during the Swedish and Prussian occupations of 1655-1656, it was assaulted again in 1794, when the Russian army massacred the population of the Warsaw suburbs and was again almost ruined as a result of the battles of World War II.

The first fortress-type settlements on the site of present-day Warsaw were Bródno (9th-10th centuries) and Jazdów (12th-13th centuries). After Jazdów was destroyed, a new similar settlement was established on the site of a small fishing village called Warszowa. Plock Prince Boleslav II of Mazovia established this settlement as modern Warsaw around 1300. At the beginning of the 14th century, Warsaw's economy was largely based on craftsmanship and trade. At the end of the royal ducal line, the Polish Crown became the new ducal line in 1526.

In 1529 Warsaw became for the first time, later permanently since 1569, the seat of the Sejm. In 1573 the city changed its name to the Warsaw Confederation, formally establishing religious freedom for the Polish-Lithuanian Federation. Due to the central position between the capitals of the Federation Krakow and Vilnius, Warsaw became the capital of the Federation, and of the Polish Crown, in 1596, when King Sigismund III of Vasa moved the court from Krakow to Warsaw.

In the following years the city expanded to the suburbs. Several independent private districts were established, the properties of aristocrats and petty nobility were governed by their own rules. Three times, between 1655 and 1658, the city was under siege.

In 1700, the Great Nordic War broke out. The city was besieged several times and was forced to pay very large donations. Stanisław August Poniatowski, is the one who redesigned the Royal Castle in Warsaw, also contributing to its cultural and artistic development. This gave Warsaw the name Paris of the East.

Warsaw remained the capital of the Polish-Lithuanian Federation until 1795, when the city was annexed by the Prussian Empire and transformed into the capital of the province of South Prussia. Freed by Napoleon's army in 1806, Warsaw became the capital of Warsaw's newly created nobility. Following the Congress of Vienna From 1815, Warsaw became the center of the Polish Congress, a constitutional monarchy under its own union with The Russian Empire. The Royal University of Warsaw was established in 1816.

Due to the repeated violation of the Polish constitution by Russia, in 1830 a revolt took place. The war between Poland and Russia in 1831 ended with the failure of the revolt to diminish the autonomy of the Kingdom. On February 27, 1861, a crowd in Warsaw protested against Russia's occupation of Poland.

Warsaw flourished in the late 19th century, when the mayor was Sokrates Starynkiewicz (1875–1892), a Russian-born general appointed by Tsar Alexander III. Under Starynkiewicz in Warsaw was built the first water and sewer system designed and designed by the English engineer William Lindley and his son, William Heerlein Lindley. During the same period, trams were modernized, a street lighting system was created and the gas installation was built. At the census of the Russian Empire in 1897, 626,000 people were registered living in Warsaw, placing it in third place, in size in the Empire, after St. Petersburg and Moscow.

The history of contemporary civilization does not know an event of greater importance than the Battle of Warsaw, 1920, or at least one whose importance is less appreciated.

Warsaw was under German occupation from August 4, 1915 until November 1918. The terms of the Article 12 Allied Armistice required Germany to withdraw from areas controlled by Russia in 1914 (Warsaw was one of the cities in the area). Germany respected the armistice, and Pilsudki returned to Warsaw on November 11, laying the foundations of what later became the Second Polish Republic, with its capital in Warsaw. During the Bolshevik-Polish War of 1920, the great battle for Warsaw took place on the outskirts of the city, which was successfully defended, with the Red Army defeated. Poland on its own stopped the main attack of the Red Army and defeated the idea of exporting the revolution.

More than 8 out of 10 buildings were destroyed in Warsaw at the end of World War II.

After the German invasion of Poland on September 1, 1939, World War II began. Central Poland, including Warsaw, was brought under the leadership of the General Government, a German Nazi colonial administration. All institutions with a higher level of education and political influence were closed immediately. The entire Jewish population of Warsaw - several hundred thousand, almost 30% of the total population of the city - was transferred to the Warsaw Ghetto. The city will become the urban center of the resistance of the Nazi occupation in occupied Europe. When the order came, what was part of The Final Solution of Hitler, on April 19, 1943, to annihilate the ghetto, Jewish fighters launched the Warsaw Ghetto Revolt. Despite being unarmed and outnumbered, the Ghetto lasted almost a month. When the fight ended, almost all the survivors were massacred, with very few managing to escape or hide.

In July 1944, the Red Army advanced on Polish territory to Warsaw, pursuing the Germans. Knowing that Stalin did not agree with the idea of an independent Poland, the Polish government, exiled in London, ordered its own underground army (AK) to try to take control of Warsaw before the Red Army. Therefore, on August 1, 1944, as the Red Army approached the city, the Warsaw Uprising began. The armed struggle, scheduled to last 48 hours, lasted 63 days. Stalin, meanwhile, ordered his own troops to wait outside Warsaw. Eventually, the civilian-assisted underground army fighters in Warsaw were forced to surrender. The survivors were transported to PoW camps in Germany, while the civilian population was forced to leave the city. Polish civilian casualties are estimated at between 150,000 and 200,000.

The Germans destroyed Warsaw from the ground up. Hitler ignored the terms of capitulation and ordered that the entire city be destroyed and that the library and museum collections be taken to Germany or burned. Government monuments and buildings were blown up by German troops known as: Verbrennungs- und Vernichtungskommando (Burning and Destruction Detachment). About 85% of the city was destroyed, including the old historic center of the city and the Royal Castle.

On January 17, 1945 - after the Red Army offensive known as the Vistula Order began - Soviet troops entered the ruins of Warsaw, and liberated its suburbs from German occupation. The city was quickly conquered by Stalin's army, advancing rapidly on Łódź as German troops retreated.

In 1945, after the bombing, riots, fighting and demolition ended, much of Warsaw lay in ruins. After the war, under a communist regime established by the Soviet conquerors, the "Warsaw Bricks" campaign was launched. New buildings have been designed to replace the old ones. Monumental buildings were also built, such as the Palace of Culture and Science, a gift from the Soviet Union. The city has once again become the capital of Poland and the country's respective political and economic center. Many of the historic streets, buildings and churches have been restored to their original form. In 1980, the historic center of the city was designated a World Heritage Site and protected by UNESCO.

John Paul II visited his native country in 1979 and 1983, supporting the solidarity movement and encouraging anti-communist movements. In 1979, less than a year after becoming pope, John Paul celebrated the Eucharist in Victoria Square in Warsaw. The ceremony ends with an appeal known as the change of face of Poland. The intervention of John Paul II was understood as an impetus for democratic change.

Location

Warsaw is located in the central-eastern part of Poland about 300 km north of Carpathians, about 260 km from the Baltic Sea and 523 km east of Berlin, Germany. The city is crossed by the river Vistula. The average altitude of the city is 100 meters above sea level. The highest point on the left side of the city is 115.7 meters (Wola district), the highest point on the right side of the city is 122.1 meters (Wesoła district). The lowest point is 75.6 meters (right bank of the Vistula). There are also several hills in the city, most artificially built on the edge of the city (for example: Warsaw Rebellion Hill 121 meters and Szczęśliwice Hill 138 meters, the latter also being the highest point in Warsaw).

Warsaw is located on two main geomorphological formations with asymmetrical patterns and terraces: plain resulting from a plateau of glacial accumulation and the Vistula valley. The Vistula River is the main axis of Warsaw that divides the city into two parts, the left and the right. The left side is located both on the glacier plateau and on the terraces of the Vistula. The predominant landform in this part of Warsaw is the glacial plateau also called the Warsaw Cliff. The glacial plateau has very few artificial and natural lakes and extraction sites for clay. The right side of Warsaw has a different geomorphological pattern. There are several levels of the plain resulting from the terracing of the Vistula and a small steep, barely observable part of the glacial accumulation plain.

NEIGHBORHOODS

Warsaw neighborhoods (since 2002)

Neighborhood	Population	Surface
Mokotów	217 651	35.4 km²
Prague Południe	187 845	22.4 km²
Wola	143 996	19.26 km²
Ursynów	137 716	44.6 km²
Bielany	136 485	32.3 km²
Śródmieście	135 000	15.6 km²
Targówek	124 316	24.37 km²
Bemowo	100 588	24.95 km²
Ochota	93 192	9.7 km²
Prague Północ	74 304	11.4 km²
Białołęka	64 000	74 km²
Wawer	62 656	79.71 km²
Zoliborz	50 934	8.5 km²
Ursus	44 312	9.35 km²
Włochy	36 276	28.63 km²
Rembertów	21 893	19.30 km²
Wesoła	18 482	22.6 km²
Wilanow	14 032	36.73 km²
All	1 690 821	517.90 km²

Arrival / Departure

By plane

The city has two international airports: Chopin Warsaw Airport, located 10 km from the city center and Moldin-Warsaw Airport located 35 km north of Warsaw. With almost 100 domestic and international flights per day and more than 9,268,551 passengers by 2007, Chopin Airport Warsaw is by far the largest in Poland.

By car

Thanks to the highway A2, which stretches west of Warsaw, inaugurated in June 2012, the city now has a direct connection with Źódź, Poznan and Berlin.

Mobility

Warsaw has seen major changes in infrastructure in recent years due to foreign investment and economic growth. The city has a better infrastructure with new roads and bridges.

Warsaw does not have a very efficient road system because most of the traffic runs directly through the city center. The Warsaw ring road will be built via three direct roads: S2, S8 and S17. Currently some of the S2 and S8 are under construction.

Public transport in Warsaw consists of buses, trams, subways, the Warszawska Kolej Dojazdowa railway line, the Szybka Kolej Miejska urban railway, the Koleje Mazowieckie regional train, and the Veturilo and Bemowo Bike cycle routes. Buses, trams, city railways and the metro belong to Zarząd Transportu Miejskiego (Warsaw Transport Authority).

The first metro line in Warsaw was opened in 1995, with a total of 11 stations. It currently has 21 stations over a distance of almost 23 km. Initially all trains were Russian. In 1998, 108 wagons were ordered from Alstom. The second line from east to west will cover almost 31 km. The central section is now under construction in Warsaw Centralna serving domestic traffic to almost every major city in Poland but also to international connections. There are also 5 other large railway lines and a small number of suburban stations.

Tourist attractions

Although today's Warsaw is a relatively young city there are many tourist attractions. In addition to the old center, rebuilt after the Second World War, each neighborhood has something to offer. Among the most notable tourist attractions in the old town are: the Royal Castle and the Column of King Zygmunt.

Further south is the so-called Royal Route, with many classic places, the Presidential Palace, the campus of the University of Warsaw. Wilanów Palace was the residence of former King John III Sobieski, it is known for its Baroque architecture.

Warsaw’s oldest public park, the Saxon Garden, is a 10-minute walk from the Old Town. The largest public park in Warsaw is the Baths Royal Park, built in the 17th century. It is located on the south side of the Royal Route, 3 km from the Old Town of Poland.

Powązki Cemetery is one of the oldest cemeteries in Europe, it has many sculptures, some of them made by famous Polish sculptors from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Since it serves the religious communities of Warsaw, be they Catholic, Orthodox or Jewish, it is often called a necropolis. Next door is the street of the Okopowa Jewish Cemetery, one of the largest Jewish cemeteries in Europe.

In many places in the city, Jewish culture and history resonate with that of the city. Among the best examples are the Jewish theater, the Janusz Korczak and Nożyk Synagogue orphanages and the picturesque Próżna street. The tragic pages of Warsaw's history are commemorated in places such as the Ghost Heroes Monument, Umschlagplatz, the remains of the ghetto wall on Sienna Street and the mound in memory of the Jewish Combat Organization.

There are many places that commemorate the heroic history of Warsaw. Pawiak, for example, is an infamous German Gestapo prison where a funerary monument is currently located. Warsaw Citadel is a 19th century fortification built after the defeat of the November Revolt. Another important monument, the statue of the Little Insurgent, located on the ramparts of the old town, commemorates children who helped to send messages during the Warsaw Uprising, while the impressive Warsaw Ghetto Uprising monument built by Wincenty Kućma was erected in memory of the great uprising during of World War II.

Many places in Warsaw are related to the work of Frédéric Chopin. The heart of the Polish composer is buried inside the Holy Cross Church in Warsaw. During the summer, the Chopin Statue in Baths Royal Park attends numerous piano concerts.

You can also find many references to Marie Curie, her work and family are in Warsaw. The place of birth is placed in the new city. The place where he performed his first experiments is also found in Warsaw. The Wawelska Street Radio Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment was founded by her in 1925.

event

A series of commemorative events take place every year. Crowds of thousands of people gather on the banks of the Vistula in the summer at midnight to participate in the Wianki Festival, which has become a tradition and an annual event in the cultural program of events in Warsaw. The festival has its origins in a peaceful pagan ritual in which unmarried girls leave wreaths in the water to predict when they will marry and with whom. Since the 19th century, this tradition has become a festive event that continues today. The city council organizes concerts and other events. Every summer event, in addition to the wreaths that are thrown into the water, the jumps over the fire, the search for fern flowers, there are also music concerts, speeches by dignitaries and fireworks.

Warsaw Film Festival is an annual festival that takes place in October. The films are shot in the original language with Polish subtitles. The cinemas participating in this event are: Kinoteka (Palace of Science and Culture); Multikino at Golden Terraces and Culture. Over 100 films are screened during the festival and awards are given to the best and most popular films.

Accommodation

Information Mdm ***. MDM Hotel is just 200 meters from Politechnika Metro Station and overlooks Warsaw’s famous Constitution Square. It offers spacious rooms with satellite TV and a minibar. All rooms at the MDM come with a private bathroom with a shower and a hairdryer. Many of the rooms overlook the Square. Some have a seating area. A varied breakfast is served every morning in the Upstairs Bar & Bistro, which specializes in international and Polish dishes. In the evening, guests can enjoy a drink while admiring views of the city. Staff at the hotel’s reception are available 24 hours a day and can arrange city tours for you. Dry cleaning and laundry services are available. MDM Hotel is located next to bus and tram stations, allowing guests to easily explore the rest of Warsaw. Warszawa Centralna Train Station is just 1.3 km away.
Jan III Sobieski ****. The hotel is located in the city center, less than 2 km from the Palace of Science and Culture. Facilities: parking, restaurant, bar, 24 h reception, facilities for the disabled, elevator, safe, heating, air conditioning, room service, conference / party rooms, business center, laundry, dry cleaning, currency exchange, car hire, fax, sauna, fitness room, solarium, massage, jacuzzi. The 388 rooms have shower / WC, hairdryer, bathrobe, radio, telephone, satellite TV, internet, minibar and air conditioning.
Golden Tulip Warsaw Center ***. Just 15 minutes from Warsaw Central Station, Golden Tulip Warsaw Center offers rooms with a minibar and free Wi-Fi. A varied breakfast buffet is served in the morning. Golden Tulip offers spacious and modern rooms that include a tea and coffee maker, biscuits and mineral water. All rooms are air conditioned and offer a TV with satellite and Canal channels. Hotel guests have free access to the sauna, fitness room and hot tub. Front desk staff is available 24 hours a day and can arrange laundry and shuttle services. Golden Tulip Restaurant, Branche, serves international dishes, including vegetarian options. On Thursday evenings, the hotel bar hosts live jazz performances. Golden Tulip Warsaw Center is about a 5-minute walk from the Warsaw Uprising Museum. Warsaw's historic area is 3 km away.
Radisson Blu Centrum *****. The hotel is located in the center of Warsaw. Facilities: parking, restaurant, bar, 24h reception, disabled facilities, elevator, safe, heating, air conditioning, room service, business center, conference / party rooms, laundry, dry cleaning, currency exchange, fax, sauna, fitness room , massage, solarium, jacuzzi. The 311 rooms have TV, minibsr, safe, air conditioning and hair dryer.
Hilton ****. The hotel is located on the edge of Warsaw’s business center, only a 15-minute walk from the Palace of Culture. The city center is around 15 minutes away. Facilities: restaurant, room service, lobby, bar, elevator, gym, sauna, baby sitting, indoor pool, parking. The rooms have air conditioning, TV, satellite TV, minibar and hairdryer.

Image gallery

Presidential Palace
Warsaw 1900
Stare Miasto
Polish Church
Atulazienki Palace
National Bank

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