Stare Miasto

This is a nice square, an Old Town, with a several restaurants around, a few benches and a couple of monuments. Nice and calm place in the evening.

Warsaw was almost fully destroyed with World War II, and the old town of the city was no exception. However the old town was built to remodel the past. They did an amazing job in restoring it. UNESCO in 1980 notes the Old Town of Warsaw as a wonderful example of near total reconstruction of history of Warsaw from 13th to 20th century. The palace surrounding this area is also remodeled to the prewar times.

The Old Town environment is tourist friendly and walkable in day and night time. There are many shops, restaurants, cafes, churches, palace etc around it. We did our Warsaw walking tour from this area too. The walking tour meeting point was Sigismund's Column.

Side Note- The money exchange is very good in this area. It's better to get currency from the Old Town compared to the airport or other areas.~

Warsaw's Old Town, the historical center of Warsaw and the oldest part of town dating back to the 13th century. Situated in the middle of the Old Town is the charming market square with its variety of shops and restaurants. The largest part of the Old Town was destroyed during the World War II and was later maliciously reconstructed so precisely that one can hardly tell the building were destroyed. Warsaw Old Town was honored by the UNESCO in 1980 and added to its list of World Heritage Sites.

The Old Town Market Square was established in the 13th century. In 1855 a bronze sculpture (The Warsaw Mermaid) was erected in the middle of the square and is the symbol of Warsaw. Castle Square is directly located in front of the Royal Castle where you will find a bronze statue that was erected in 1644 of King Zygmunt III, who was responsible for making Warsaw the capital of Poland.

The Old Town Market Square is where you will find numerous outside day vendors and a selection of many permanent shops within the walls and alleys. Ice cream vendors everywhere, souvenirs of every kind, art, have your portrait done in pencil, paint or charcoal, just sit down, no waiting.

Want a tour in a horse and carriage, they have it. Want a walking guided tour, just get in line. I must say they have some of the finest Baltic Amber, but be prepared to pay for it. Speaking of amber, I haven't seen Sue for a while, I wonder which amber shop she is in?

Continuing our journey thru Old Town, we come upon the Barbican, built in 1548 and directly situated where Old Town merges into the New Town, and has served as an access gate for Old Town and is incorporated directly into the Warsaw City Wall, built in the 14th century that surrounds Old Town.

The last places visited today was St. John's Cathedral. St. John's is one of three cathedrals in Warsaw, but the only one which is also an archcathedral. Established in the 15th century, this cathedral was completely rebuilt after World War II. It is almost impossible to put into words just how beautiful this massive building is. Within the confines of this cathedral, many important Polish people are buried. Church Bishops, last king of Poland Stanislaw August Poniatowski, Nobel Prize winner Henryk Sienkiewicz and the first two Polish Presidents Gabriel Narutowicz and Ignacy Mościcki.

The Jesuit Church, otherwise known as the Church of the Virgin Mary of Grace, is an ornate church in Warsaw established by King Zygmunt III in 1609. The most notable mannerist churches in Warsaw, has beautiful stained glass windows and a massive organ. Make sure you view 17th century portrait of the Holy Mother that decorates the pulpit. Although I did not see it, look for the small stone bear beside the steps as you enter the church. Legend says there is the spirit of a shy Prince trapped inside the statue, waiting for the right woman to return him to his mortal self.


The last stop on our adventure was at St. Martin's Church, another beautiful church in Old Town, founded in 1356 by the Duke of Mazovia Ziemowit. The outside of the church has a unique architectural style that resembles a mixture of gothic and baroque with a completely modern interior.

Once you enter, take a few minutes to just sit and experience the power and history this church has to offer. At the end of right nave, you will find the chapel of Our Lady of Consolation and copy of a painting from the 15th century. Continue your journey to the end of the left nave. You now find yourself in the chapel of Jesus Christ. Moving on, beside the sanctuary you will find the chapel of St. Francis where a poly-chromed figure of the Virgin Mary with the Child can be viewed.

In the 1970's and 80's the church was well known as a meeting place for the Polish opposition to the Communist government and it became a symbol of the Solidarity's movement resistance to the regime.

Despite not being really old (it was completely rebuilt after the IIWW out of ruins) this part of town is particularly charming. Walk down Nowy Swiat and Krakowskie przedmiscie, poping into delicious A. Blikle bakery or a Milk Bar (Polish greasy spoon) to try typical Polish dinner, visit the castle, have a ride in a horse carriage. My personal favourite though is Belle Epoque Cafe at 18 Freta Str. Partly cafe, partly antique shop, with great atmosphere and music played from gramophone...

This place is the 'Old Town' of Warsaw which given Warsaw's tough history means it's not really very old at all. However it is a very nice place to wander around and has been done very well.
We loved this area and were completely surprised that it was even here in the first place!

Although the Old Town was all built again after the 2nd World War, you can feel how was the Polish architecture. You can walk around the two main squares and take a tea/coffee there.

Really quite and nice place especially after recent renovation works in the neighbourhood of Krakowskie Przedmiescie. Highly Recommend!

barzo fajne