Journey to Warsaw

Presidential Palace

A Polish soldier looks towards the Presidential Palace. The Palace is situated on Krakowskie Przedmieście street and has been the official residence of the Polish President since 1994.

An equestrian statue of Prince Józef Poniatowski (1763-1813), a Polish military hero, stands in front of the Palace.

07 May 1995

Presidential Palace

Polish soldiers stand guard at the entrance to the Presidential Palace, on Krakowskie Przedmieście street, in Warsaw.

07 May 1995

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

A Polish soldier stands guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, in Piłsudski Square, Warsaw. The monument commemorates Polish war dead.

The tomb contains the remains of an unknown Polish soldier who fell during the defence of Lviv. His body was placed in the tomb on 2 November 1925. A continuous guard of honour is maintained at the tomb by Polish soldiers.

10 May 1995

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Polish soldiers provide a guard of honour at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, in Piłsudski Square, Warsaw. An eternal flame can be seen to the right of the soldiers. The tomb is situated in the only surviving part of the Saxon Palace, which was destroyed by German forces during world war two.

10 May 1995

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

An eternal flame burns at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, in Piłsudski Square, Warsaw. A wreath has been placed upon the tomb, which contains the remains of an unknown Polish soldier who fell during the defence of Lviv. The inscription on the tomb says: Here lies a Polish soldier who died for his homeland.

The fountain of the Saxon Gardens can be seen in the distance.

10 May 1995

Mermaid Statue

The Mermaid - symbol of Warsaw. Sculpted by Konstanty Hegel (1799–1876), professor at the School of Fine Arts in Warsaw. In 1995 it was located near the old town. However, in 1999 it was moved to the Old Town Market Square. It was later replaced by a copy and the original is now in the Museum of Warsaw.

07 May 1995

Barbican

The Barbican is a defensive structure built in the 15th century to defend Warsaw's Old Town. It is a tower with turrets and was once a gate into the city. The Barbican is part of the medieval city walls.

The two towers which can be seen above the trees are the 14th century Church of the Holy Spirit in Długa Street. Badly damaged during WW2, it was rebuilt by 1956.

07 May 1995

Horse-drawn Carriages - Old Town Market Square

Horse-drawn carriages await their next ride in the Old Town market square of Warsaw.

07 May 1995

Saxon Gardens Fountain

The fountain in the Saxon Gardens, which is located near Piłsudski Square, Warsaw. It was designed by Henryk Marconi and unveiled in 1855.

10 May 1995

Stone Steps - Old Town Warsaw

The Stone Steps (Kamienne Schodki) which lead from the street of Bugai up to Brzozowa in the Old Town of Warsaw.

10 May 1995

Statue of the Little Insurgent

The Statue of the Little Insurgent commemorates the child soldiers who died during the Warsaw Uprising in 1944. It is located on Podwale Street, near the Old Town. Polish Scouts raised the funds for the monument which was unveiled in 1983.

10 May 1995

Palace of Culture and Science

The Palace of Culture and Science building located in the center of Warsaw at Parade Square (Plac Defilad). The building was a gift to Warsaw from the Soviet leader Joseph Stalin and was completed in 1955. It is an example of Socialist Realism architecture. There is continual debate in Poland as to whether the Palace of Culture and Science (as a symbol of Soviet domination) should be demolished or not.

10 May 1995

Hotel Bristol

The luxury Hotel Bristol situated on Krakowskie Przedmieście next to the Presidential Palace. The hotel was opened in 1901.

07 May 1995

Frédéric Chopin Monument

A monument to the composer Frédéric Chopin is situated in Łazienki Park, near Aleje Ujazdowskie. The bronze statue was designed by Wacław Szymanowski and unveiled in 1926. It was destroyed by the Nazis in WW2 but was rebuilt and unveiled in 1958. The statue depicts Chopin sitting under a weeping willow tree.

Chopin recitals are held at the monument every Sunday at 12 noon from May to September.

09 May 1995

Warsaw School of Economics

The SGH Warsaw School of Economics is a business school founded in 1906. It is located at al. Niepodległości 162 in the Old Mokotów district of Warsaw.

08 May 1995

Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński Statue

A statue of Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński (1901-1981) is situated in front of the Church of St. Joseph of the Visitationists, at ul. Krakowskie Przedmieście 34, in Warsaw. The statue was unveiled in 1987.

10 May 1995

Church of St. Joseph of the Visitationists

The Roman Catholic Church of St. Joseph of the Visitationists is located at ul. Krakowskie Przedmieście 34, in Warsaw. The church was completed in 1765. Sisters of the Order of the Visitation of Mary stay in a convent attached to the church. The church survived world war two undamaged.

10 May 1995

Jan Kiliński Monument

A monument honouring Jan Kiliński, a hero of the 1794 Kościuszko Uprising. Jan Kiliński and his peasant troops captured the residence of the Russian Ambassador in Warsaw. The Russians imprisoned him for a time in St. Petersburg The Kiliński monument is located on Podwale Street besides the walls of the Old Town.

10 May 1995