Private 4-Hour Tour in Warsaw Old Town

The Sigismund Column is the oldest public monument in Warsaw, although it does not stand in its original location. It was moved when the axis of Krakowskie Przedmieście Street was changed in the 19th century, and again after World War II during the development of the WZ Route. On September 2, 1944, the column was toppled by German troops. Reconstruction of the statue and the column itself was completed in 1949. Earlier columns are displayed beside the walls of the Royal Castle (when viewed from the WZ Route). The column is one of the city’s key symbols, surpassed only by the mermaid, the best-known symbol of the Polish capital.

Old Town – the city was founded in a location on the river that was advantageous for trade, along the main route between the Baltic Sea and the Black Sea. Wealthy merchants and craftsmen settled here, supporting the settlement’s rapid growth. The city’s appearance changed over the centuries: wooden buildings destroyed by fires were replaced by brick tenements, and earth embankments by stone walls. In 1429, a town hall was built (it no longer exists today), along with a parish church (now St. John’s Cathedral), defensive towers, and a barbican. But 1944 brought almost total destruction, when 90 percent of the Old Town was razed to the ground. Reconstruction took many years and ended with its inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The Royal Castle became a royal residence in the 16th century, when the region of Masovia joined the Crown. Destroyed several times (during the Deluge and the annexation of Poland), it was rebuilt again and again and stood until the beginning of World War II, when it was bombed in the first days of the conflict and almost completely destroyed by fire. Fortunately, some of its priceless works of art were removed from the building in time and subsequently hidden. The remaining works were looted, however, and in 1944 the castle was blown up in retaliation for the Warsaw Uprising. The decision to rebuild the castle was not made until much later, in 1971. Construction was funded largely through the generosity of the community. The site opened to visitors in 1984. It was later added to the UNESCO World Heritage List as an example of a successful, faithful reconstruction of a historic building.

St. John’s Cathedral is one of Warsaw’s oldest churches. From July to September, concerts are held here every Sunday at 4 p.m. as part of the International Organ Music Festival. Several historic events took place in this church, including the oath to the Constitution of May 3—the first of its kind in Europe. The crypt houses the tombs of many historical figures. Of particular interest among them is the chapel-mausoleum of the Primate of the Millennium.

The Old Town Market Square is surrounded by tenement buildings housing exquisite restaurants, cafés and clubs, as well as galleries and museums. The central square was recently adorned with a statue of the city’s landmark—the Warsaw Mermaid. The market square was divided into four sections in recognition of Warsaw’s Enlightenment activists: Kołłątaj, Dekert, Barss and Zakrzewski.

The Barbican, once a strategic part of the city’s defensive walls, now attracts painters displaying their work and musicians who help visitors enjoy their walks through the Old Town. It was built in 1548 as part of a defensive wall approximately 4,000 feet long. From May to October, an interesting exhibition is held inside the Barbican walls, featuring historical photographs of Warsaw and models of the defensive lines and towers (which no longer exist). By comparing the photographs and old plans with the present-day layout of the Old Town, it is easy to imagine what the Barbican once looked like and what the heart of Warsaw would look like had it not suffered the destruction of war.

The Warsaw Uprising Monument depicts groups of insurgents during the fighting. The Warsaw Uprising, which ended in defeat and the deaths of 200,000 Poles, was one of the bloodiest and most painful moments in the modern history of Poland and Warsaw.
The Krasiński Palace (Palace of the Republic) was originally the residence of Jan Krasiński, the prefect of Warsaw. It currently houses special collections of the National Library. The palace is considered Warsaw’s most enchanting Baroque building. Its many reliefs are inspired by ancient works. The park behind the palace is an excellent place for a stroll and a little relaxation. It was initially one of the first places of its kind to be open to all city residents, regardless of social status. The green building next to the palace and across the street is the recently constructed seat of the Supreme Court.

Miodowa Street is a narrow, lively street lined with old, luxurious residences. Number 24 (on the left side of the street) once housed Collegium Nobilium—the first school for the children of the ruling elite. It currently houses the Academy of Theatre. Number 17 (on the left) is the residence of the Primate of Poland—the palace of the Warsaw archbishops, built in the 18th century. Number 16 (on the right) is Warsaw’s only Eastern Catholic church. Pac Palace, which houses the Ministry of Health, is located next to the Primate’s residence. Another noteworthy building is the Capuchin Church. On the right side of the altar is the heart of Jan III Sobieski (its founder). Further along, you can admire the Warsaw Heroes Monument, commonly known as the Nike Monument.

Theater Square is bordered on the right by the late-Baroque Blank Palace. Behind it stands Jabłonowski Palace, which served as Warsaw’s town hall before the Second World War. The building was razed to the ground during the war and rebuilt in the 1990s. However, only the façade and bell tower remain from its original design. Don’t forget to walk through the gate beneath the tower to see the 19th-century foundations. The Grand Theatre is a vast Neoclassical building opposite Jabłonowski Palace. It is home to the National Opera and the National Theatre. Its opera stage is one of the largest in Europe. You can see enchanting interiors with cut-glass chandeliers, a spacious columned foyer, and impressive floor tiles when attending a performance. Theater Square ends with the Petrykus tenement house, built in 1821, which houses several restaurants and clubs highly regarded by Warsaw residents.

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier—this symbolic tomb commemorates the millions of soldiers who sacrificed their lives fighting for Poland’s freedom. Buried here are the ashes of a defender of Lviv and an urn containing soil from the battlefields of the First World War. Today, the tomb contains urns from all the battlefields where Polish troops fell during the last century. An eternal flame burns beside the tomb. It is guarded by a military honor guard that changes daily at noon.

The former Royal Route stretches from Zamkowy Square to Trzech Krzyży Square. Must-see attractions along the route include: St. Anne’s Church (and the view from its bell tower), Polonia House (once the Museum of Industry and Trade, where Maria Skłodowska-Curie worked), Radziwiłł Palace (the current residence of the Polish president), the University of Warsaw campus with Kazimierzowski Palace, Czapski Palace (the Academy of Fine Arts), and elegant shops and restaurants on Nowy-Świat Street—an extension of Krakowskie-Przedmieście Street.