Grzybowski Square

Located in the city center, near Swietokrzyska subway station, Grzybowski Square is a perfect illustration of today's Warsaw - where the past meets modernity. 

The Square itself is well known for All Saints' Church which was erected in XIXth century and rebuilt after The Second World War, when it was severely destroyed during The Warsaw Uprising. It is also worth knowing that the Square was widely peopled by Jews at the turn of XIXth and XXth century and was included into the warsaw ghetto during The Second World War. 

Also nowadays, Grzybowski Square is an important spot of many sightseeing tours and constitutes one of the major points of the biggest yearly festival of Jewish culture held in Warsaw - Singer's Warsaw. During the festival small stalls, reconstituted typically Jewish shops or restaurants and variety of cultural events bring back an unforgettable atmosphere of the place. Grzybowski Square is a picturesque place during the whole year, but if you happen to be in Warsaw during Singer's Warsaw you simply must be there. In 2015, the festival will take place between 22nd and 30th of August.

Author: Adam Smok, www.flickr.com, CC BY

Nowy Świat-Uniwersytet - new subway station

One of the newly built stations of Warsaw second subway line: Nowy Świat-Uniwersytet (Nowy Świat-University), located at The Royal Route, in close proximity to many top tourist attractions.

The platform is located 23 m below ground level making it the deepest station in Warsaw. This modern interior has been designed in violet colors, with subtle lighting and delicately undulant ceiling.

Author:PAP/ Marcin Obara, wiadomosci.onet.pl

The Miniature Park, Bracka St. 25

It is a well known fact that Warsaw was unimaginably destroyed during Second World War. Roughly speaking 65% of the whole city was demolished, 84% taking into consideration left-bank districts only. According to estimations, in 1945 Warsaw was covered by about 20 million cubic meters of rubble.  

Sadly, destruction did not miss Polish monuments - approximately 90% of historical treasure located in Warsaw was partly or fully demolished (674 objects).

Since 2010, Warsaw Uprising Museum provides the opportunity of seeing short animation movie The city of ruins (Miasto ruin) that presents destroyed and depopulated Warsaw during spring in 1945. The trailer of the film may be watched on the film's official site.

Although capital's population undertook an immense effort to rebuild the city, it was not possible to reinstate the whole city. The Miniature Park gives an opportunity to see some of historical monuments that were destroyed in the past, mostly during Second World War. All exhibits are made with great accuracy in scale of 1:25. The museum kicked off just in 2014 and is still developing, but the excellent quality of exhibited objects makes it a place worth visiting. Due to its relatively short history, The Miniature Park hasn't gained large popularity yet and it may be difficult to find it in Warsaw guide books.

Source: UD Wola

Duration: approximately 1 hour
Location: Bracka St. 25, DT Braci Jabłkowskich, level -1
(the above location is actual until 01/05/2015. During summer park changes its location. For actual adress please always check the official site of the musuem before visit). 

Tickets prices:
Regular PLN 12
Discount PLN 8

For further information please visit the museum's official site.

Invisible Exhibition, Jerozolimskie Avenue 123a

Operating in Budapest since 2007 and in Prague since 2011 has been also made available for Warsaw audience few years ago becoming one of the most memorable experiences that Warsaw offers. In a complete dark surroundings, during an interactive one-hour journey,  you can find out how to function without sight. Small groups and guides, who are blind or visually impaired, make it an eyeopening and genuine experience. 

If you are looking for alternative attractions, something different from standard must-sees in Warsaw, this is definitely for you.

Duration: 1 hour

Location: Jerozolimskie Avenue 123a, Millenium Plaza

Tours in English available, booking required.

Prices: 

- weekdays: PLN 21 (Regular); PLN 16 (Discount); PLN 13 (Groups)

- weekends: PLN 25 (Regular); PLN 22 (Discount); PLN 19 (Groups)

Please note that above prices are valid for online payments only. For in-house purchases prices are 3 PLN higher.

For more information please visit the official site.

Cathedral of St. Mary Magdalene, Solidarności Avenue, 52

The Metropolitan Council of the Holy Equal to the Apostles of Mary Magdalene (Parafia katedralna św. Marii Magdaleny) is a Polish Orthodox cathedral which was opened in 1869. Its stunning architecture and masterpiece interiors make it a must-see in Warsaw, although it is located a bit off the beaten (tourist) track. 

Author: Ejdzej, en.wikipedia.org, CC BY

Author: Jalme.silva, www.flickr.com, CC BY

Jewish Cemetery, Okopowa Street

The biggest Jewish cemetery in Mazovian district and second largest in Poland, covers an area of approximately 33,3 ha. It houses over 200 thousands of tombs (matzevah) and is still in use.

Beautiful and mysteriuos, even more afflicting while covered in snow. 

Author: Chris [KrzysztofTe], www.flickr.com, CC BY

Sigismund's Column

Sigismund's Column (Kolumna Zygmunta) is one of the most characteristic Warsaw landmarks. Erected in 1644, located in Castle Square, during summer is a vibrant meeting point for capital's youth.

Authors: Marek and Ewa Wojciechowscy, commons.wikimedia.org, CC BY

Central Business District

With this post I'm beginning a new area on the blog which is Warsaw picture selection. I hope that photos presented here will encourage all Readers to visit the city sooner or later ;)

If you have pictures of Warsaw you would like to be presented here please just contact me. I'll be more than happy to share your city-related memories with others!

Today's picture: Central Business District in Warsaw, sunset time. On the right, backlit in blue, one of the most characteristic buildings - Palace of Culture and Science (Pałac Kultury i Nauki).

Author: Artur Malinowski, www.flickr.com, CC BY