The old town in the Polish capital (on UNESCO World Heritage List since 1980) has been since the Middle Ages its historic centre, situated on the high escarpment of the River Vistula valley. It was built at the beginning of the 14th century during the reign of the Mazovian Prince, Boleslaw II. Perpendicularly intersecting streets and a rectangular, centrally located market square were surrounded till the mid 16th century by walls with high battlements, defensive bastions and a tower of which large sections have survived.

In this small area of the Old Town many of Warsaw’s historic monuments are located, the Royal Castle, Zygmunt’s Column, St. John’s Cathedral and also the market square with its adjacent streets. During World War II, about 90% of the buildings of the historic Old Town were destroyed by the German Army.

After the war the market square and the neighbouring streets were completely rebuilt with great care. During the reconstruction only architectural elements salvaged from the rubble were used. The Old Town is an example of a comprehensive reconstruction of an entire historical district of a city which was returned to its stately form of the 17th and 18th centuries. Also, the Royal Castle, a symbol of an independent Polish State, was returned to its former glory.

Old Town in Warsaw (woj. Mazowieckie)

www.um.warszawa.pl