Warsaw Old Town

Warsaw is famous for its amazing architectural creations. They can be found all over the city. However, the greatest concentration of incredible objects and cultural monuments is found in the historic district called the Old Town (Stare Miasto). The border of the area is the fortress wall. It stretches as far as the former riverbed of the Kamianka.

Historical Info

The foundation of the area dates back to the 13th century. At that time the territory was not that big. But with time it began to expand. Later the main square of the city, called the Market Square, was laid out. It was decorated by the Town Hall, which for a long time was the main attraction of Warsaw.

The sixteenth century saw the moving of the royal residence to the city. The castle was reconstructed. It was followed by the transformation of Warsaw. The streets were enriched with Catholic cathedrals, noblemen’s mansions and other unique and attractive objects.

The Lazienki Park was created within walking distance of the centre. It is considered to be the most beautiful in the country. Gradually, more and more amazing decorations were added, which transformed Warsaw from a simple settlement into a magnificent city. In time, the town hall was removed from the Market Square, and the Sigismund Waza Column was erected in its place.

The near past and the present

As the years passed, the style of the area changed dramatically. At first, Market Square had Gothic features. Gradually they were replaced by Baroque elements. The current appearance was created in the 19th century. However, one can see that new features are periodically being introduced, which perfectly harmonise with the existing ones.

During World War II the Old Town was unlucky. It was almost entirely destroyed in the fighting. The Warsaw Uprising, which took place in 1944, sustained the greatest damage. In the process, all the buildings present in the area were destroyed.

The restoration of the historic centre of Warsaw started immediately after the war. The craftsmen were engaged in the restoration of the old buildings. As a result, the current appearance of the Old Town is almost the same as it was before the war. Old blueprints and pictures were used to reconstruct the area, so they knew what must be achieved.

Squares in the area

The Old Town has three squares: the Market Square, the Castle Square and the Kanonia Square. The centre of the area was the Market Square, since that was where all the main events of the city’s life took place. The merchants and artisans lived within walking distance of it. Their guilds were also present nearby. The merchandise range was so wide that merchants from all over the area came to the square.

Today the square is not as busy as it used to be, but it’s just as crowded. The coloured houses on the square are a popular attraction. You can also have a meal in a café or restaurant, or visit shops and souvenir shops.

Castle Square is the starting point of the Old Town. It is home to the Royal Palace. There is also a monument to King Sigismund III. The current royal palace draws attention with its combination of old and new elements. It was destroyed during the war, and then rebuilt from old blueprints, but craftsmen added some modernity to the place.

Piazza Canonia is located behind the Cathedral of St John the Baptist. It was once the home of the Canon priests, hence the name. It’s smaller than the other two, but just as attractive.