Old Town (Starego Miasta) 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 center, surrounded by restored buildings and colorful 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.
Historical Museum of Warsaw 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. Address: Rynek Starego Miasta (Old Town Square) 28-42 Phone Number: (0)22 635 1625 Email Address: mhw@mhw.pl Website: www.mhw.pl Hours: Tuesday and Thursday 11am to 6pm, Wednesday and Friday 10am to 3.30pm, Saturday and Sunday 10.30am to 4.30pm. Closed Mondays Admission: 6 zl normal rate, 3 zl concession rate. Free on Sundays. English guide 20 zl
The Royal Way 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 modeled on Versailles. It is now a museum containing a marvelous 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. Address: Krakowski Prezedmieœcie becoming Nowy Œwiat Website: www.wilanow-palac.art.pl Hours: 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 Admission: Palace: 25zl, which includes a guide. Park: 4.50zl (15zl including a guide)
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