Essential Warsaw

9 Essential Sights

1 Plac Zamkowy More of a triangle than a square, and home to the Royal Castle, this popular plac is where modern Warsaw meets the Old Town.QSee p. 25.

2 Old Town Square A window into the ‘once-upon-a-time’ of Warsaw’s golden days, the Old Town is also symbolic of Warsaw’s rise from the ruins of WWII.QSee p. 28.

3 Vistula Boulevards Warsaw’s left-bank boulevards are a favourite haunt of the locals - go and see why - walk, ride, or just chill on the riverside steps. Wow.QSee p. 37.

4 Łazienki Park Full of incredible art and architecture this massive park and palace complex offers spectacular opportunities for sightseeing or simply relaxing.QSee p. 41.

9 Palace of Culture & Science Originally commissioned by Stalin as a ‘gift from the Soviet people’, this 237 metre structure takes its inspiration from the capitalist world, namely the Empire State Building. Over 5,000 workers were ferried in from the Soviet states and housed in a purpose-built village in Jelonki during its construction. Working around the clock, it took just three years to finish the Palace in 1955. Despite this Olympian effort, Stalin didn’t live to see his pet project completed. Built using an estimated 40 million bricks and housing 3,288 rooms, the Palace’s purpose was to serve as not just party headquarters but also as ‘The People’s Castle.’ Regardless, the building became a local object of hatred and was seen as no more than a symbol of Russian hegemony. In addition to the theatres, bars and museums on the ground level, visitors can tour the building, or head straight to the viewing terrace on the 30th floor. To get there you’ll need a ticket, which gets you a ride in a small old-school lift, complete with attendant.

QE-8, Pl. Defilad 1, MCentrum, tel. (+48) 22 656 76 00, www.pkin.pl. Open 10:00-19:00. Viewing terrace open 10:00-20:00; terrace admission 20/15zł. U

5 Wilanów Palace The ‘Polish Versailles’ is just one of the many fitting monikers applied to this splendid late 17thcentury royal palace 10km to the south.QSee p. 44.

6 POLIN 1000 years of Jewish history in Poland is chronicled in this excellent museum where the Jewish Ghetto stood during WWII.QSee p. 57.

7 Copernicus Science Centre One of the city’s top attractions, this fun family science centre is bursting with interactive exhibits and includes a state-of-the-art planetarium.QSee p. 39.

8 Warsaw Rising Museum Chronicling the heroism and tragedy of the 1944 Warsaw Uprising, this modern museum packed with multimedia displays is one of the best in PL.QSee p. 59.