Warsaw, Poland
EMRE DONMEZ TAKES US THROUGH HISTORY IN WARSAW
Visiting Eastern European countries is an experience, thanks to the fascinating areas and architecture that ooze history. In many of the cities in Europe, walks make you feel like you’ve traveled through time and take you out of today’s fast-paced environment.
The thing that makes Warsaw very special is that you can still witness history although the city was destroyed during World War II: the city that rose from the ashes.
PALACE OF CULTURE AND SCIENCE
As it is one of the must-see attractions in Warsaw, the building was designed by Soviet architect Lev Rudnev in the art deco style. It’s also the tallest building in the country. On the 30th floor, there’s a terrace where you can see panoramic views of the city. In addition to having a spectacular view of the city, the
building also offers many events including plays, concerts and art exhibitions which you should check out if you have more time in your visit. The building also contains souvenir shops where you can find interesting gifts for your friends and family. The Palace of Culture and Science is located in the center of the city where you can reach the Old Town easily.
Before venturing into the Old Town, grab a drink or cocktail at Cafe Kulturalna. Poland is famous for having a wide range of beer with different tastes.
OLD TOWN
The Old Town is another great part of Warsaw where you can discover beautiful buildings providing a colorful atmosphere. Unfortunately, the area was destroyed during the second World War, but luckily warmhearted citizens of Poland renovated most of the buildings according to their original design in 1980. As it is included in Unesco World Heritage List, the Old Town area has many sculptures, souvenir shops, King Zygmunt’s Column, and most importantly: the Royal Palace. Dating back to the
13th Century, the Royal Palace is an interesting tour for visitors, showing off the royal families’ rooms and furniture which are a few centuries old.
After enjoying the historic tour in the colorful Old Town, you can get down on some traditional Polish eats. Polish Dumplings, Pierogi, are the most coveted food. Bistro Warszawa, located in the Old Town, is where you can experience delicious pierogi at reasonable prices, which is better than most Old Town restaurants which have poor quality food at high prices. Same Krafty is a great place to enjoy craft beers as well as delicious snacks.
THE ROYAL ROUTE
This 4km (2.5 miles) route has plenty of beautiful historical buildings. If you make it to the end of the route, don’t miss the spectacular Lazienski Park; it’s the most popular park in the city. If you’re an art-lover, there is a Museum dedicated to the famous classical musician, Chopin. It is located very close to the Royal Route. Do you need a break? Sit on one of the many benches and press the button to play amazing sections of Chopin’s pieces. So just sit, relax, and enjoy some classical music.
At the end of the beautiful road, you will reach Lazienki Park. The park hosts a magnificent palace and garden and is regarded as one of the best in Europe. It is also the place where Chopin used to have concerts and bring music enthusiasts to the area.
MORE FOR THE HISTORY BUFF: ST. JOHN CATHEDRAL & BARBICAN
Built in the 14th century, St. John Cathedral is the oldest church in the city and preserved by UNESCO as a world heritage site. The coronation of the king used to be held in this gothic church.
The Barbican is another old, worth-seeing area that contains castles and huge walls which were built in 1540 to protect the region. Visitors are allowed to climb the walls which is a very popular photographic angle of the whole area.
MUSEUM TRIP
The most popular museum in the city is called The Uprising Museum, which gives us the history of the Polish resistance against the Nazis on 1 August 1944. The museum was established 60 years after the uprising, in 2004, to honor all the people who fought for their freedom. After visiting Uprising Museum, it’s much easier to understand Warsaw’s deep tumultuous history.
DINNER TIME
After an exhausting day of sightseeing, enjoy your time with a delightful dinner. Go to the Amber Room located in
‘’Aleje Ujazdowskie.’’ The restaurant is known for its wonderful ambiance and high quality food, making it a must visit. Duck dumplings or beef tartare would be a great start to a wonderful dinner.
If you still feel energetic enough after all that food, Piw Paw Beer Heaven located in ‘’Foksal’’ has a selection of 95 draft beers on tap and almost 200 bottled beers! Polish beer is a great way to end your memorable day.