Why Poland?  Another Perfect Answer!

  If you are like me you love looking at good children’s books.  Among my favorite are those with pictures that “pop up” creating three-dimensional scenes.  Take a moment and imagine standing in the middle of a live “pop up” book.  That is exactly what awaits you when you enter Old Town, the oldest district of Warsaw.  Almost totally destroyed during World War II, it has been carefully rebuilt, preserving the architecture of different epochs. Today, Old Town houses fantastic restaurants, open-air cafes, and wonderful shops.   A must for all visitors, it is worth taking a walk along the charming little streets that lead to the Market Square to discover the countless delights that await your discovery.

  Swietojanska Street leads from the Royal Castle Square to the Market Square.  On this street is the Cathedral of St. John with its Gothic architecture.  Not only is this a place of worship but also a place of patriotic events and ceremonies.  In its crypt lie presidents, Nobel Prize winners, great musicians, and patriots.  The charming small street of Kanonia is beside the cathedral and is filled with townhouses from the 16^th century.  Work your way through the galleries to find a bell from the 1500s or explore the passages constructed after an unsuccessful attempt on the life of King Zygmunt III Vasa in 1620.  Thanks to these galleries the monarch could then go in safety to the cathedral.

  Don’t miss little Zapiecek Square.  Formerly a market of singing birds was located here and now the square is famous for interesting galleries of contemporary art. Take note of the plaque that indicates that Old Town has been inscribed on NERCO’s World Cultural Heritage List. 

  It is certainly worth walking along Piekarska Street.  Formerly, in this place there was a small square called “Piekielko” or Small Hell where executions were carried out.  It was here that witches and prisoners were burned at the stake.  At #20, in a reconstructed 18^th century townhouse, there is the Museum of Artistic Handicrafts with a rich collection of clocks, jewelry, and precious objects by goldsmiths of the 16^th century.

  On the other side of the old Market Square there is one of the most beautiful streets in Warsaw – Kamienne Schodki.  This street leads down by steps almost to the Vistula River itself.  From the top of the steps a beautiful view of the Vistula is spread out below.  Napoleon, standing with his officers at the top of the steps, was enchanted by this place.  It is easy to see why.

  A walk along the streets of the Old Town is a great pleasure.  All year long the hubbub and laughter of the inhabitants of the capital and tourists resounds here.  Years ago there was a song about the Old Town that was popular in Poland.  One line goes like this:

            “I’ll go to the Old Town: I haven’t been there since yesterday.

            I couldn’t sleep at night if I didn’t go there today.”

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