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Stare Miasto (Old Town)

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travellingdave
travellingdave
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Stare Miasto (Old Town)

  • January 24, 2007
  • Rated 5 of 5 by travellingdave from Calgary, Alberta
Stare Miasto (Old Town)

Warsaw’s beautiful Old Town is the center of the city’s history and a perfect place to begin your sightseeing around Poland’s largest city. The centerpiece of the Old Town is the impressive Rynek Starego Miasta (Old Town Square). Get your camera out, as the Old Town Square is one of the most photogenic sights in the city.

The square is lined with several cute buildings, with a pretty nice statue in the center. Sitting alongside the square is the excellent Warsaw Historical Museum. Take a look inside at some very interesting exhibits highlighting the history of Warsaw, especially during the World Wars. There is an English-language movie here, included in your admission, which highlights some of the massive destruction of the city in the first half of the 20th century.

After visiting the museum, head to the nearby Barbican, an old medieval wall that once encircled the city of Warsaw. It’s a great photo opportunity, as passing along its walls really conjures up images of warriors and soldiers of history. It’s worth the walk to fully appreciate it.

Head south from the Rynek Starego Miasta on ul Swietojaneska and you’ll pass by the lovely St. John’s Cathedral, which is not to be missed for its beautiful, romantic architecture. It is the oldest church in Warsaw, built in the 15th century. Its unique triangular roof is somewhat odd, and highly photographable. Head inside to get a glimpse of its somewhat eerie interior.

Head further south and you’ll reach Warsaw’s main city square, the Plac Zamkowy (Castle Square). The centerpiece of this square is the massive Monument to Sigismund III Vasa, which looms over high above the plaza. Alongside the square is the Royal Castle, which was built in the 13th century and subsequently rebuilt after being destroyed in the World Wars. The building is as vast as the nation itself. Free admission is provided to the Royal Castle on Sundays, which is a bonus for budget travelers.

The Old Town’s history is surpassed only by its charm. You will instantly fall in love with its romantic cobblestone streets, cute buildings, and the atmosphere itself. Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy a couple hours here, just to soak up the atmosphere for free. It makes a great spot for evening walks if you want to get away from the relatively noisy and bustling tourist area of Novy Swiat.

Getting to the plaza is easy – simply take any bus or tram with the words “Rynek Starego” or “Plac Zamkowy”. Most buses eventually come here anyways, as this is a pretty popular area. Bus fare is around 75 cents per ride.

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