An invitation to take a walk around the Old Town
Let’s start with the Old Town Square, which is the central point of the Old Town. Did you know that Warsaw City Hall was once situated here? Later, there was a market here. During World War II, the Market Square, like the rest of the Old Town, was 90% destroyed. The colourful townhouses you can now admire are the result of reconstruction work made possible by the enthusiasm of architects and the efforts of the whole nation. The reconstruction began in 1949, and a dedication ceremony took place just four years later. This unprecedented event was honoured with the inclusion of the Old Town on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Today, the Market Square is bustling with life all year round. Here you will find atmospheric cafés and eateries, including the legendary Bazyliszek restaurant. It is also an ideal spot for evening strolls, when the streatlamps create a unique, fairy-tale atmosphere. And if you come here over Christmas, you can skate on the ice rink!
When visiting the Old Town, be sure to visit the Museum of Warsaw to get to know the city from the inside. Schedule an extra two hours for a real history lesson! The permanent exhibition features as many as 22 rooms showcasing exhibits including everyday and ceremonial items, works of art, household objects, and personal memorablia. It is no accident the title of the exhibition is The Things of Warsaw. Learning the biographies of individual objects is the key to understanding Warsaw’s turbulent history. I highly recommend the Room of Portraits and Room of Warsaw Views to painting enthusiasts. In the Room of Warsaw Monuments, you can see miniatures of monuments by Władysław Miecznik—it’s a great opportunity to see Sigismund’s column from above and take a closer look at the king. In the Room of Architectural Details you will learn the moving story of the dolphin from Villa Regia, and in the Room of Warsaw Mermaids you will discover as many as 100 different incarnations of the Warsaw mermaid. And of course, it’s definitely worth going to the rooftop viewing point and taking in the panorama of the Old Town! The climb is really worth the effort.
All items in the exhibition have descriptions in English and an audioguide in English is also available. On the website muzeumwarszawy.pl/en/ you will find detailed descriptions of the exhibitions in English, and at this link you will find opening hours and ticket information: muzeumwarszawy.pl/en/visit/. On Sundays in September at 2 p.m., there are ‘Museum tales of Warsaw’ guided tours in English included in the ticket price—it’s worth taking advantage of them!
While at the Museum, it is also worth seeing the temporary exhibition entitled ‘Sylwester “Kris” Braun. A Photographer of the Uprising’. You will find it in the Room of Photographs on the first floor. Sylwester Braun was one of the most important photographers of the Warsaw Uprising—an armed insurgency of Poles against the Germans in 1944. The exhibition presents original prints documenting the drama of the Uprising and the destruction of Warsaw. The exhibition allows you to follow the trails along which the photojournalist travelled through the Warsaw fighting and to see the heroism of the battling soldiers. The Museum holds several temporary exhibitions every year—an up-to-date schedule and description of the exhibitions can be found at muzeumwarszawy.pl/en/exhibitions/.
After leaving the Museum, be sure to visit other important sites in the Old Town. Its charm, its fascinating history, and the beautiful details on the tenement houses make a walk in this part of the capital an unforgettable experience. In the very centre of the Market Square is a Mermaid statue which is an important symbol of Warsaw. Legend has it that the Mermaid, half woman, half fish, guards the city against perils. The pedestal of the monument rises from the water of a small pool, in which the façades of the tenements reflect beautifully. This is the perfect place to take a souvenir photo. Did you know that this monument is a copy of a 19th-century sculpture by Konstanty Hegel? And where is the original? In the Museum of Warsaw!
The next site is Sigismund’s Column on Castle Square, just a short walk from the Market Square. It was erected in honour of King Sigismund III Vasa in 1644 and is the oldest secular monument in Warsaw. It is worth knowing Sigismund III Vasa was the first king to move his residence and state administration to Warsaw. Parliamentary assemblies and the elections of kings were held here. The monument was destroyed shortly after the outbreak of the Warsaw Uprising. Fortunately, the statue itself fell in such a way that it did not suffer any serious damage. The monument was restored and ceremonially unveiled in 1949. Today, the area around the column is a very popular meeting place.
Our walk would not be complete without seeing the Royal Castle. This classical baroque castle was once the seat of kings and the place where the most important decisions of state were made. In 1791, the Constitution of May 3 was adopted here—the first such law in Europe! Today, it is a museum where you can admire rich interiors and works of art as well as learn about Poland’s turbulent history.
This is where our tour ends. And if you have an appetite for more, we encourage you to take a special walk. Access this link on your smartphone and let yourself carried off to other fascinating places in the Old Town! Walking around these places is an extraordinary journey through time which will let you feel the spirit of the past and understand contemporary Warsaw.
Author: Magdalena Zowsik, education specialist at the Museum of Warsaw
Consultation: Marta Zdanowska, Senior Education Specialist at the Museum of Warsaw
