Driving to Warsaw
A Guide to Warsaw for Motorists
Country: Poland
Capital: Warsaw
Language: Polish
Currency: Polish Zloty |
Warsaw’s history is a tragic one. During the Second World War Hitler ordered the total destruction of the city. 400,000 Jews were imprisoned in a Jewish ghetto with a three metre high wall, which extended from the Palace of Culture and Science all the way to the Umschlagplatz monument.
Luckily much of Warsaw has been restored, and numerous memorials and statues have been erected to pay homage to those who lost their lives in the war. The Heroes of Warsaw Ghetto and the Jewish Historical Institute provide a reminder of the Nazi devastation. Ulica Prozna (Prozna Street) offers a view of the old Jewish Warsaw.
The Stare Miasto (Old Town) and its main square contain many cafes, and street artists perform here, making it a lively area, particularly in the evenings. In terms of buildings, St. John Cathedral and Zamek Krolewski (Royal Castle) are nearby, the latter dating back to the 14th century and still undergoing repairs due to the WW2 destruction.
The Old Town is located on the left bank of the Vistula River, while the right bank has the trendy Praga district. Other attractions include the Centre of Contemporary Art which has a mixture of Polish, North American and European artists, and the Chopin Monument in Lazienki Park, where the Chopin Festival is held each summer.
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Map of the area
