by Rebecca Bentley

May 2009

Upon arriving in Warsaw one could easily be forgiven for attempting to turn around and go straight home. Suburban apartment blocks appear endless and uninviting, but these are all a testament to the wealth of history that lies in the most unexpected corners of the city, such as the Muranów and Mirów districts. Now characterized by communist–era apartment blocks, the districts were once home to Warsaw?s Jewish community and were turned into a Jewish Ghetto in 1940 under Nazi rule.

After being razed to the ground during the Second World War, the country has been busy rebuilding its capital?s lost architectural treasures and recuperating from the strain of communist rule. Emerging from communist oppression and thriving from fifteen years of democracy and capitalism, every aspect of the city, most noticeably its geographical landscape, is changing dramatically.

Warsaw?s nightlife is vibrant and caters for all tastes. Whether it?s super chic or raving clubs that never close, classical concerts or avant–garde theatre you?re into, there?s something here for everyone. The city is bursting with culture throughout the year. The most celebrated summer festivals include the annual Mozart Festival, which is held in palaces and churches throughout the city from June to July and the Chopin Music Concerts performed in the stunning surroundings of Lazienki Park on glorious Sundays in June. As the professional theatres close for the summer, the Open–Air Theatre Festival takes over. Jazz performances bring the city?s soul alive from June to the end of September and the Anniversary of the Warsaw Uprising on August 1st is an extremely significant day of remembrance for the Polish people. The autumn season teems with poetry readings, as well as the Warsaw Film Festival and the Jazz Jamboree, which is one of the most important jazz festivals in Europe. The Multimedia Art Festival begins in late March to early April, so the city is literally a haven of culture throughout the year.

Warsaw?s most beautiful and historical attraction is the reconstructed Old Town, which is best approached by starting at Krakowskie Przedmiecie and strolling down the chic boulevard of Nowe _wiat (New World), lined with impressive Neo–Classical buildings and trendy cafés and restaurants. The end of the New World marks the beginning of the Old Town at Plac Zamkowy (Castle Square), the symbol of Poland?s capital and a popular meeting place characterized by Zygmunt?s Column. The heart of the Old Town is the Rynek Starego Miasta (Old Town Square). Teeming with café tables and artists in the summer, numerous galleries and museums reside within the beautiful tiered houses. Exploring the network of streets and alleyways of the area will lead to discovering a wealth of Gothic and Baroque churches and former palaces, as well as charming tea houses and an extremely popular ice cream parlor just off of the Square.

The old royal parks, Park Ujazdowski and Park Lazienki provide a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of the city centre. Saunter through the oak–lined promenades of Park _azienkowski in the company of bold peacocks and mandarin ducks, leading onto the Neo–classical palace and glistening lake.

There is as much opportunity for shopping as there is for culture in Warsaw. Galeria Centrum on Marsza_kowska is full of designer concessions and numerous other high street stores line the street. Take the tram to Galeria Mokotów, with 240 shops, a multiplex cinema, entertainment centre, food court and bowling alley, there?s definitely a lot to keep you and an entire family occupied.

The diversity and wealth of history of this indestructible city offers something for everybody. The summer and autumn seasons are packed with music, art and media festivals, with the winter and spring calendar being mainly occupied by religious festivals, providing a valuable insight into the religious and historical traditions of the Polish people.

www.warsawtour.pl