30/07/08 Warsaw Wow!

Warsaw, never a city on my list, but one of my favourite yet! I'd always assumed that Warsaw whould be a bit war sore (pardon the pun) but the beautifully restored old town is testiment the Polish people's spirit. Once a prospering city, things drastically changed in 1939 when Nazi Germany invaded Warsaw and began rounding up the large Jewish population of Warsaw and terrorising the city. Then in 1944, the Warsaw uprising lasted 63 days and eventually the Home army was forced to capitulate. Hitler, ignoring the agreed terms of the capitulation, ordered the entire city to be razed to the ground and the library and museum collections taken to Germany or burned. 85% of Warsaw lay in ruins and half the civilian population had been killed in the fighting.

Through the efforts of the entire nation, and the support of Polish communities abroad, the precious castles, monuments, cathedrals and government buildings that were -and are- the heart and soul of Warsaw were meticulously restored and in 1980 Warsaw's historic Old Town was inscribed onto the UNESCO World Heritage List. As a result, the city we were able to witness was a far cry from the dramatic history that Warsaw has endured.

Once we had negotiated the northern suburbs of Warsaw, we finally found the right bridge over the Wisla River and into the old town for a parking place. First stop was the Warsaw Hisotrical Museum where we learnt the above history lesson. Then, trying to find as much shade as possible we headed through the old town square and onto the Royal Way - are large, wide street full with churches, the old royal palace, Presidential palace, coffee shops and boutique stores. At the end of the Royal Way, we found the museum of famous composer Chopin - but unfortunately it was closed for renovation. Never mind, back down the street for a nice cool ice drink before we made it back to the old town square to sit down and take in the Warsaw atmosphere.