Poland
The lands of modern-day Poland have been inhabited since the Stone Age. Although the exact date of the arrival of the first Slavic tribes is unknown, historians agree that the Slavs began settling the area between the 5th and 8th centuries. From the 8th century onwards, smaller tribes banded together to form greater conglomerations, thus establishing themselves more fully on the lands of the future Polish state. The country’s name derives from one of these tribes, the Polanie (literally, ‘the people of the fields, open-country dwellers’), who settled on the banks of the Warta River near present-day Pozna. Their tribal chief, the legendary Piast, managed to unite the scattered groups of the surrounding areas into a single political unit in the 10th century, and gave it the name Polska (later Wielkopolska, meaning Great Poland). It wasn’t until the coming of Piast’s great-great grandson, Duke Mieszko I, that much of Poland was united under one dynasty. The dynasty later fell due to political infighting. Not until 1320 was the Polish crown restored and the state reunified. It was under the rule of Kazimierz III Wielki (Casimir III the Great; 1333–70) that Poland gradually became a prosperous and powerful state. Since there was no heir apparent to the throne in 1569, the Sejm established a system of royal succession based on direct voting in popular elections by the nobility. In the absence of a serious Polish contender, a foreign candidate would be considered. For each royal election, foreign powers promoted their candidates by bargaining and bribing voters. During this period, no fewer than 11 kings ruled Poland; only four were native Poles.
WWI resulted in Poland’s three occupying powers going to war. Most of the fighting was staged in Polish lands. After the war, Russia and the Austrian empire had their own troubles, so Marshal Józef Pisudski took command of Warsaw on 11 November 1918, declared Polish sovereignty, and usurped power as the head of state. The Treaty of Versailles in 1919 awarded Poland the western part of Prussia, providing access to the Baltic Sea.
WWII began at dawn on 1 September 1939 with a massive German invasion of Poland. Hitler’s defeat at Stalingrad in 1943 marked the turning point of the war on the eastern front, and from then on the Red Army successfully pushed westwards. At the end of WWII, Poland lay in ruins. Over six million people, about 20% of the prewar population, lost their lives. Its cities were no more than rubble; only 15% of Warsaw’s buildings survived. At the Yalta Conference in February 1945, Roosevelt, Churchill and Stalin agreed to leave Poland under Soviet control. The election of Gorbachev in the Soviet Union in 1985 and his glasnost and perestroika programmes gave an important stimulus to democratic reforms all through Eastern Europe.. Semifree elections were held in June 1989, in which Solidarity succeeded in getting an overwhelming majority of its supporters elected to the Senat, the upper house of parliament. Poland’s biggest move in the 21st century was its inclusion into the EU fold on 1 May 2004. Despite the myriad reforms and coalitions, Poland is still floundering in the political and economic stakes, and looks as though it will for some years to come.
WWI resulted in Poland’s three occupying powers going to war. Most of the fighting was staged in Polish lands. After the war, Russia and the Austrian empire had their own troubles, so Marshal Józef Pisudski took command of Warsaw on 11 November 1918, declared Polish sovereignty, and usurped power as the head of state. The Treaty of Versailles in 1919 awarded Poland the western part of Prussia, providing access to the Baltic Sea.
WWII began at dawn on 1 September 1939 with a massive German invasion of Poland. Hitler’s defeat at Stalingrad in 1943 marked the turning point of the war on the eastern front, and from then on the Red Army successfully pushed westwards. At the end of WWII, Poland lay in ruins. Over six million people, about 20% of the prewar population, lost their lives. Its cities were no more than rubble; only 15% of Warsaw’s buildings survived. At the Yalta Conference in February 1945, Roosevelt, Churchill and Stalin agreed to leave Poland under Soviet control. The election of Gorbachev in the Soviet Union in 1985 and his glasnost and perestroika programmes gave an important stimulus to democratic reforms all through Eastern Europe.. Semifree elections were held in June 1989, in which Solidarity succeeded in getting an overwhelming majority of its supporters elected to the Senat, the upper house of parliament. Poland’s biggest move in the 21st century was its inclusion into the EU fold on 1 May 2004. Despite the myriad reforms and coalitions, Poland is still floundering in the political and economic stakes, and looks as though it will for some years to come.
Warsaw
he first semblance of a town only sprang up around the beginning of the 14th century when the dukes of Mazovia built a stronghold on the site of the present Royal Castle. In 1413 the dukes chose Warsaw as their seat of power, and things went well until 1526, when the last duke died without an heir. The burgeoning town – and the whole of Mazovia – fell under direct rule of the king in Krakow and was incorporated into royal territory.
Warsaw’s fortunes took a turn for the better after the unification of Poland and Lithuania in 1569, when the Sejm (the lower house of parliament) voted to make Warsaw the seat of its debates, because of its central position. The ultimate ennoblement came in 1596 when King Zygmunt III Waza decided to move his capital from Krakow to Warsaw.
The Swedish invasion from 1655 to 1660 was not kind to Warsaw, but it swiftly recovered and continued to develop. In 1795 the city's prosperity was again shattered – following the partition of Poland, its status was reduced to that of a provincial town. When Napoleon invaded in 1806 on his way to defeat in Russia, the Frenchman created the Duchy of Warsaw and the city became a capital once more. The celebrations were brief however, as in 1815 Warsaw, and the rest of Poland, fell under Russian rule. The Varsovians rebelled against their rulers in 1830 and 1864, but the city remained in Russian hands until WWI. After WWI Warsaw was reinstated as the capital of independent Poland.
German bombs began to fall on 1 September 1939 and a week later the city was besieged; despite brave resistance, Warsaw fell within a month. The conquerors instantly set about terrorizing the local population with arrests, executions and deportations, and a Jewish Ghetto was swiftly built. The city rebelled against the Germans twice, first in April 1943 and second in August 1944. Both rebellions were ruthlessly crushed.
At the end of the war the city of Warsaw lay in ruins and 800, 000 people – more than half of the prewar population – had perished. A massive rebuilding project was undertaken soon after and despite over 40 years of communist rule the city once again regathered its strength and is now enjoying an unprecedented period of economic growth.
Warsaw’s fortunes took a turn for the better after the unification of Poland and Lithuania in 1569, when the Sejm (the lower house of parliament) voted to make Warsaw the seat of its debates, because of its central position. The ultimate ennoblement came in 1596 when King Zygmunt III Waza decided to move his capital from Krakow to Warsaw.
The Swedish invasion from 1655 to 1660 was not kind to Warsaw, but it swiftly recovered and continued to develop. In 1795 the city's prosperity was again shattered – following the partition of Poland, its status was reduced to that of a provincial town. When Napoleon invaded in 1806 on his way to defeat in Russia, the Frenchman created the Duchy of Warsaw and the city became a capital once more. The celebrations were brief however, as in 1815 Warsaw, and the rest of Poland, fell under Russian rule. The Varsovians rebelled against their rulers in 1830 and 1864, but the city remained in Russian hands until WWI. After WWI Warsaw was reinstated as the capital of independent Poland.
German bombs began to fall on 1 September 1939 and a week later the city was besieged; despite brave resistance, Warsaw fell within a month. The conquerors instantly set about terrorizing the local population with arrests, executions and deportations, and a Jewish Ghetto was swiftly built. The city rebelled against the Germans twice, first in April 1943 and second in August 1944. Both rebellions were ruthlessly crushed.
At the end of the war the city of Warsaw lay in ruins and 800, 000 people – more than half of the prewar population – had perished. A massive rebuilding project was undertaken soon after and despite over 40 years of communist rule the city once again regathered its strength and is now enjoying an unprecedented period of economic growth.
Bronze Bell
When they made the bell they let it cool too fast, so it cracked. There is a legend attached to the bell. If you hold onto to the bell and walk clockwise around it while making a wish, your wish will come true. If it is a small wish, you should walk around once, but if it is a large wish you should walk around 3 times. However, you can not tell anyone your wish until it comes true.
When they made the bell they let it cool too fast, so it cracked. There is a legend attached to the bell. If you hold onto to the bell and walk clockwise around it while making a wish, your wish will come true. If it is a small wish, you should walk around once, but if it is a large wish you should walk around 3 times. However, you can not tell anyone your wish until it comes true.
Bunker on 18 Mila Street
More than 100 people died on May 8, when the Nazis surrounded the bunker. Nothing remains from the bunker. It is marked by a commemorative stone engraved in Polish, Yiddish and Hebrew
More than 100 people died on May 8, when the Nazis surrounded the bunker. Nothing remains from the bunker. It is marked by a commemorative stone engraved in Polish, Yiddish and Hebrew
Commemorative Gateway
A commemorative Gateway Monument was built on the site of the ramp, known as Umschlagplatz (collection point), used for railroad transport to Treblinka. Names of 400 Jews are etched on it. The train station began its first actions in the summer of 1942.
A commemorative Gateway Monument was built on the site of the ramp, known as Umschlagplatz (collection point), used for railroad transport to Treblinka. Names of 400 Jews are etched on it. The train station began its first actions in the summer of 1942.
Ghetto Walls
Only a small piece remains of the ghetto walls, which were about 11 miles long
Only a small piece remains of the ghetto walls, which were about 11 miles long
Holy Cross Church
Chopin was born near Warsaw in 1810 to a Polish mother and French emigre father. He lived in Warsaw until 1830, when he made his way to Paris — where he chose a life of exile because of the brutal repressions imposed by Imperial Russia after a failed uprising.
As Frederic Chopin gasped for air on his deathbed in Paris in 1849, he whispered a request that became the stuff of musical legend: Remove my heart after I die and entomb it in Poland. He wanted the symbol of his soul to rest in the native land he pined for from self-imposed exile in France.
Fulfilling Chopin's deathbed wish, which was also inspired by the composer's fear of being buried alive, his sister Ludwika smuggled the heart to Warsaw, probably beneath her skirts. First it was sealed in a jar of liquor believed to be cognac. Then it was smuggled into Warsaw past Russian border guards. Once in his hometown, Chopin's heart passed through the hands of several relatives before being enshrined within a pillar in Holy Cross Church.
It remained there until World War II, when the Nazi occupiers removed it for safekeeping during the Warsaw Uprising of 1944. Even as they slaughtered Poles block-by-block, killing 200,000 people in retribution for the revolt, they took pains to preserve the relic of a composer that the Germans have sometimes claimed as their own, because of the influence great German composers had on him. After the fighting was over, they returned it to the Polish church in a ceremony meant to show their respect for culture. Ever since, the composer's body has rested in peace at the famed Pre Lachaise cemetery in Paris — while his heart has endured a wild journey of intrigue and adulation.
Chopin was born near Warsaw in 1810 to a Polish mother and French emigre father. He lived in Warsaw until 1830, when he made his way to Paris — where he chose a life of exile because of the brutal repressions imposed by Imperial Russia after a failed uprising.
As Frederic Chopin gasped for air on his deathbed in Paris in 1849, he whispered a request that became the stuff of musical legend: Remove my heart after I die and entomb it in Poland. He wanted the symbol of his soul to rest in the native land he pined for from self-imposed exile in France.
Fulfilling Chopin's deathbed wish, which was also inspired by the composer's fear of being buried alive, his sister Ludwika smuggled the heart to Warsaw, probably beneath her skirts. First it was sealed in a jar of liquor believed to be cognac. Then it was smuggled into Warsaw past Russian border guards. Once in his hometown, Chopin's heart passed through the hands of several relatives before being enshrined within a pillar in Holy Cross Church.
It remained there until World War II, when the Nazi occupiers removed it for safekeeping during the Warsaw Uprising of 1944. Even as they slaughtered Poles block-by-block, killing 200,000 people in retribution for the revolt, they took pains to preserve the relic of a composer that the Germans have sometimes claimed as their own, because of the influence great German composers had on him. After the fighting was over, they returned it to the Polish church in a ceremony meant to show their respect for culture. Ever since, the composer's body has rested in peace at the famed Pre Lachaise cemetery in Paris — while his heart has endured a wild journey of intrigue and adulation.
Jewish History
Jews settled in Warsaw during the 14th century, after the reign of King Kasimierz. In 1809, a Jewish quarter was established in the city. The population of Warsaw continued to grow in the19th and 20th century. In 1816, Jews numbered 15, 600 and, by 1910, the population reached 337,000 (38% of the total population of Warsaw).
During World War I, thousands of refugees came to Warsaw. By 1917, there were 343,000 Jews living in Warsaw, about 41% of the total population. Warsaw’s pre-war Jewish population in 1939 was 393,950 Jews, approximately one-third of the city total. From October 1939 to January 1940, Germans enacted anti-Jewish measures, including forced labor, the wearing of a Jewish star and a prohibition against riding on public transportation.
In April 1940, construction of the ghetto walls began.. Roughly 30% of the city’s population was to be confined to an area that comprised just 2.4% of city lands. The ghetto was divided into two sections, a small ghetto at the south end and a larger one at the north end. German and Polish police guarded its outside entrance and a Jewish militia was formed to police the inside. The population of the ghetto reached more than half a million people. Unemployment was a major problem in the ghetto. Many Jews died from mass epidemics (such as typhoid) and hunger. The streets were filled with corpses. Jews in the ghetto still had to pay for burial, and if they couldn't afford it, the bodies were left unburied.
This first mass deportation of 300,000 Jews to Treblinka began in the summer of 1942. The number of deportees averaged about 5,000-7,000 people daily, and reached a high of 13,000. A second wave of deportations to Treblinka began on January 18, 1943, during which many factory workers and hospital personnel were taken. Unexpected Jewish armed resistance, however, forced the Nazis to retreat from the ghetto after four days of deportations.
Mordechai Anielewicz, at the age of 24, became the leader of the Jewish Fighting Organization (ZOB). He recruited more than 750 fighters, but amassed only 9 rifles, 59 pistols and a couple of grenades. On April 19, 1943, the Warsaw Ghetto uprising began when German troops penetrated the ghetto to begin a third round of mass deportations. The ZOB faced a formidable force of 2,000 armed German soldiers, yet the Germans were unable to defeat the Jews in open street combat. After several days, the Germans switched tactics and began burning down houses.
On May 16, 1943, the ghetto was liquidated and the Germans blew up the Great Synagogue on Tomlacke Street in victory. Sixty thousand Jews died in the ghetto uprising.
Jews settled in Warsaw during the 14th century, after the reign of King Kasimierz. In 1809, a Jewish quarter was established in the city. The population of Warsaw continued to grow in the19th and 20th century. In 1816, Jews numbered 15, 600 and, by 1910, the population reached 337,000 (38% of the total population of Warsaw).
During World War I, thousands of refugees came to Warsaw. By 1917, there were 343,000 Jews living in Warsaw, about 41% of the total population. Warsaw’s pre-war Jewish population in 1939 was 393,950 Jews, approximately one-third of the city total. From October 1939 to January 1940, Germans enacted anti-Jewish measures, including forced labor, the wearing of a Jewish star and a prohibition against riding on public transportation.
In April 1940, construction of the ghetto walls began.. Roughly 30% of the city’s population was to be confined to an area that comprised just 2.4% of city lands. The ghetto was divided into two sections, a small ghetto at the south end and a larger one at the north end. German and Polish police guarded its outside entrance and a Jewish militia was formed to police the inside. The population of the ghetto reached more than half a million people. Unemployment was a major problem in the ghetto. Many Jews died from mass epidemics (such as typhoid) and hunger. The streets were filled with corpses. Jews in the ghetto still had to pay for burial, and if they couldn't afford it, the bodies were left unburied.
This first mass deportation of 300,000 Jews to Treblinka began in the summer of 1942. The number of deportees averaged about 5,000-7,000 people daily, and reached a high of 13,000. A second wave of deportations to Treblinka began on January 18, 1943, during which many factory workers and hospital personnel were taken. Unexpected Jewish armed resistance, however, forced the Nazis to retreat from the ghetto after four days of deportations.
Mordechai Anielewicz, at the age of 24, became the leader of the Jewish Fighting Organization (ZOB). He recruited more than 750 fighters, but amassed only 9 rifles, 59 pistols and a couple of grenades. On April 19, 1943, the Warsaw Ghetto uprising began when German troops penetrated the ghetto to begin a third round of mass deportations. The ZOB faced a formidable force of 2,000 armed German soldiers, yet the Germans were unable to defeat the Jews in open street combat. After several days, the Germans switched tactics and began burning down houses.
On May 16, 1943, the ghetto was liquidated and the Germans blew up the Great Synagogue on Tomlacke Street in victory. Sixty thousand Jews died in the ghetto uprising.
Jewish History Museum
In April 2013, the Museum of the History of Polish Jewry in Warsaw - built on hallowed ground of the Warsaw Ghetto - opened to visitors. The museum itself is housed in a structure of green glass and stone, symbolic of transparency, and the main entrance faces a plaza dominated by the Nathan Rapoport memorial, which commemorates the heroes of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising.
In April 2013, the Museum of the History of Polish Jewry in Warsaw - built on hallowed ground of the Warsaw Ghetto - opened to visitors. The museum itself is housed in a structure of green glass and stone, symbolic of transparency, and the main entrance faces a plaza dominated by the Nathan Rapoport memorial, which commemorates the heroes of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising.
Maria Curie Museum
Maria Curie was born in Warsaw, but moved to France to study science because that was the only place a woman could study science in her time. She was the lady that discovered Polonium and Radium (elements on the periodic table). She named Polonium after Poland (Polonium is its Latin name). She was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize, and one of 2 people to win 2 Nobel Prizes in 2 different sciences (physics and chemistry). She worked for the Red Cross during World War I, and was the first woman in Paris to get a driver's license.
Maria Curie was born in Warsaw, but moved to France to study science because that was the only place a woman could study science in her time. She was the lady that discovered Polonium and Radium (elements on the periodic table). She named Polonium after Poland (Polonium is its Latin name). She was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize, and one of 2 people to win 2 Nobel Prizes in 2 different sciences (physics and chemistry). She worked for the Red Cross during World War I, and was the first woman in Paris to get a driver's license.
Palace of Culture and Science
It was raised after the Second World War during the era of Soviet domination, and it remains one of the most controversial buildings in Poland. It took 3,500 Soviet workers 3 years (from 1952 to 1955) to complete the 230 meter-tall building. The Palace of Culture and Science exhibits characteristics of Stalinist-style architecture, and was built as Joseph Stalin’s “gift” to Warsaw. It can be compared to similar tiered structures in Moscow called Stalin’s Seven Sisters. Though the Russian architect who drafted the design for the building incorporated details from Polish architecture into the project, Soviet-era elements dominate, like the austere statues that stand guard on the ground floor of the Palace's exterior. Though it serves a useful purpose, housing schools, museums, restaurants, theaters, and office space, it remains a symbol of Stalin's oppressive influence over an era.
It was raised after the Second World War during the era of Soviet domination, and it remains one of the most controversial buildings in Poland. It took 3,500 Soviet workers 3 years (from 1952 to 1955) to complete the 230 meter-tall building. The Palace of Culture and Science exhibits characteristics of Stalinist-style architecture, and was built as Joseph Stalin’s “gift” to Warsaw. It can be compared to similar tiered structures in Moscow called Stalin’s Seven Sisters. Though the Russian architect who drafted the design for the building incorporated details from Polish architecture into the project, Soviet-era elements dominate, like the austere statues that stand guard on the ground floor of the Palace's exterior. Though it serves a useful purpose, housing schools, museums, restaurants, theaters, and office space, it remains a symbol of Stalin's oppressive influence over an era.
Presidential Palace
The Palace was erected in the 1640s by the Great Crown Hetman Stanisaw Koniecpolski and his son Aleksander. The palace played a significant role during the Great Sejm session. After Poland regained independence in 1918, the palace became the seat of the Prime Minister and the side wings were occupied by the offices of the Chancellery of the Council of Ministers. At the time of occupation, between 1941 and 1942 the palace was rebuilt into the Deutsches Haus - it was then a luxurious hotel with a casino. As it was not destroyed during the defense of Warsaw in September 1939 and during the Warsaw Rising, after the end of World War II it became the seat of the prime minister and the Council of Ministers.
The Palace was erected in the 1640s by the Great Crown Hetman Stanisaw Koniecpolski and his son Aleksander. The palace played a significant role during the Great Sejm session. After Poland regained independence in 1918, the palace became the seat of the Prime Minister and the side wings were occupied by the offices of the Chancellery of the Council of Ministers. At the time of occupation, between 1941 and 1942 the palace was rebuilt into the Deutsches Haus - it was then a luxurious hotel with a casino. As it was not destroyed during the defense of Warsaw in September 1939 and during the Warsaw Rising, after the end of World War II it became the seat of the prime minister and the Council of Ministers.
The Royal Castle
The Royal Castle was built in the years 1589-1619 for King Sigmund III Vasa, from the Swedish dynasty of Vasa, which ruled Poland at the time. The Royal Castle was further rebuilt by the Kings - August III Strong from the Saxon dynasty and Stanislaw August Poniatowski in the 18th century. During WWII, Germans destroyed the Royal Castle in Warsaw. In November of 1944, after the Warsaw uprising against the German occupiers, the Royal Castle, like many other important buildings in Warsaw, was methodically dynamited, so nothing would be left of it. The Castle was rebuilt in the years 1971-1988 as a national monument of Polish history and culture. Interiors were meticulously restored using the preserved ruin fragments and the old documents as examples of the original state.
The Royal Castle was built in the years 1589-1619 for King Sigmund III Vasa, from the Swedish dynasty of Vasa, which ruled Poland at the time. The Royal Castle was further rebuilt by the Kings - August III Strong from the Saxon dynasty and Stanislaw August Poniatowski in the 18th century. During WWII, Germans destroyed the Royal Castle in Warsaw. In November of 1944, after the Warsaw uprising against the German occupiers, the Royal Castle, like many other important buildings in Warsaw, was methodically dynamited, so nothing would be left of it. The Castle was rebuilt in the years 1971-1988 as a national monument of Polish history and culture. Interiors were meticulously restored using the preserved ruin fragments and the old documents as examples of the original state.
St. Anne's Church
A church on this site dates back to the 14th century when the wooden church of St. Leonard was built here. This was replaced by a Gothic wooden construction and graveyard in the 16th century and it wasn’t replaced with a brick one until well after the time of Jan III Sobieski in 1772. The new church was called St. Anne's and was founded by Prince August Adam Czartoryski to a design by Jan Kotelnicki. The church suffered damage during both world wars and was even used as an internment camp by the Nazis, who also looted and damaged it. The church bells dating from 1723 and 1777 survived thanks to the bravery of the local people who hid them and these are now housed in the newly built Third Millenium Tower.
A church on this site dates back to the 14th century when the wooden church of St. Leonard was built here. This was replaced by a Gothic wooden construction and graveyard in the 16th century and it wasn’t replaced with a brick one until well after the time of Jan III Sobieski in 1772. The new church was called St. Anne's and was founded by Prince August Adam Czartoryski to a design by Jan Kotelnicki. The church suffered damage during both world wars and was even used as an internment camp by the Nazis, who also looted and damaged it. The church bells dating from 1723 and 1777 survived thanks to the bravery of the local people who hid them and these are now housed in the newly built Third Millenium Tower.
Supreme Court Building
Standing as pillars on the inside outer walls of the building are the 3 graces. No one knows why they are not clearly visible on the outside, it was just how the architect designed it. The rumor is that the Warsaw bishop did not like their clothes because they were too revealing, and that is why they are on the inner outside walls.
Standing as pillars on the inside outer walls of the building are the 3 graces. No one knows why they are not clearly visible on the outside, it was just how the architect designed it. The rumor is that the Warsaw bishop did not like their clothes because they were too revealing, and that is why they are on the inner outside walls.
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
The Polish mausoleum was built only in 1925. Fifteen battlefields were chosen. From one of them, chosen by chance, the ashes of an unknown soldier were taken to Warsaw. Fate chose the Lwów battlefield, where a bloody battle lasting more than six months began in November 1918. Unidentified remains were located after exhumation of the graves at the battlefied. The uniform and cap, characteristic of those worn by peasants from Central Poland and by Polish legionaries during the war, identifed the remains as those of a volunteer soldier on the front lines, no more than twenty years old.
The Polish mausoleum was built only in 1925. Fifteen battlefields were chosen. From one of them, chosen by chance, the ashes of an unknown soldier were taken to Warsaw. Fate chose the Lwów battlefield, where a bloody battle lasting more than six months began in November 1918. Unidentified remains were located after exhumation of the graves at the battlefied. The uniform and cap, characteristic of those worn by peasants from Central Poland and by Polish legionaries during the war, identifed the remains as those of a volunteer soldier on the front lines, no more than twenty years old.
Walls and Barbican
The walls were originally raised in the Middle Ages, with gates located at several points round the city. The Barbican was built in 1540 on the site of an earlier gate, probably in response to increased threat of invasion. There were 2 gates in the big circular looking defense. The person/merchant would enter one gate and it would close behind him, then he would be interrogated. If the guards didn't like his answers, they could shoot him from the first floor of the side buildings, or hold him for further interrogation. The poor person had nowhere to go to. If he was allowed to pass into the city, a different gate would be raised and he could pass through. When the city was attacked, the guards made no effort to hold the outer walls, they immediately retreated to the inner walls. When the attackers climbed the outer walls, they were trapped between the outer and inner walls and the city defenders could pick them off with arrows. Not long after it had been built, advances in artillery made the Barbican obsolete, and it was used in actual defense of the city only once. On June 30, 1656, when the Swedes invaded the city and the Polish troops repelled the effort. In the 18th century, the Barbican was partially demolished, and in the 19th century houses were built on its ruins. During World War II, nearly the entire Barbican was completely destroyed, and after the war it was decided to rebuild the walls surrounding the former Old Town, together with the Barbican.
The walls were originally raised in the Middle Ages, with gates located at several points round the city. The Barbican was built in 1540 on the site of an earlier gate, probably in response to increased threat of invasion. There were 2 gates in the big circular looking defense. The person/merchant would enter one gate and it would close behind him, then he would be interrogated. If the guards didn't like his answers, they could shoot him from the first floor of the side buildings, or hold him for further interrogation. The poor person had nowhere to go to. If he was allowed to pass into the city, a different gate would be raised and he could pass through. When the city was attacked, the guards made no effort to hold the outer walls, they immediately retreated to the inner walls. When the attackers climbed the outer walls, they were trapped between the outer and inner walls and the city defenders could pick them off with arrows. Not long after it had been built, advances in artillery made the Barbican obsolete, and it was used in actual defense of the city only once. On June 30, 1656, when the Swedes invaded the city and the Polish troops repelled the effort. In the 18th century, the Barbican was partially demolished, and in the 19th century houses were built on its ruins. During World War II, nearly the entire Barbican was completely destroyed, and after the war it was decided to rebuild the walls surrounding the former Old Town, together with the Barbican.
Warsaw Mermaid
In the center of the square in Old Town is the Warsaw Mermaid. Legend has it that she swam in the river that runs through Warsaw. Her voice was so beautiful that all of the fishermen loved her, and would listen to her sing. One of the fisherman kidnapped her and locked her up so that only he would here her singing. She never sang for him. The other fishermen were upset and broke into her prison and released her, but she didn't feel like singing after the abuse she suffered. However, she is still seen as the protector of Warsaw and a good luck charm. Before Warsaw was taken over by the Nazis, it has never fallen to an enemy.
In the center of the square in Old Town is the Warsaw Mermaid. Legend has it that she swam in the river that runs through Warsaw. Her voice was so beautiful that all of the fishermen loved her, and would listen to her sing. One of the fisherman kidnapped her and locked her up so that only he would here her singing. She never sang for him. The other fishermen were upset and broke into her prison and released her, but she didn't feel like singing after the abuse she suffered. However, she is still seen as the protector of Warsaw and a good luck charm. Before Warsaw was taken over by the Nazis, it has never fallen to an enemy.
Warsaw Old Town
Warsaw Old Town was established in the 13th century. The heart of the area is the Old Town Market Square: until the end of the 18th century the square was the most important place in Warsaw; regular fairs and festivities were held here. Warsaw was deliberately annihilated in 1944 as a repression of the Polish resistance to the German occupation. The capital city was reduced to ruins with the intention of obliterating the centuries-old tradition of Polish statehood. The rebuilding of the historic city, 85% of which was destroyed, was the result of the determination of the inhabitants and the support of the whole nation. The reconstruction of the Old Town in its historic urban and architectural form was the manifestation of the care and attention taken to assure the survival of one of the most important testimonials of Polish culture. The city – the symbol of elective authority and tolerance, where the first democratic European constitution, the Constitution of 3 May 1791, was adopted – was rebuilt. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Warsaw Old Town was established in the 13th century. The heart of the area is the Old Town Market Square: until the end of the 18th century the square was the most important place in Warsaw; regular fairs and festivities were held here. Warsaw was deliberately annihilated in 1944 as a repression of the Polish resistance to the German occupation. The capital city was reduced to ruins with the intention of obliterating the centuries-old tradition of Polish statehood. The rebuilding of the historic city, 85% of which was destroyed, was the result of the determination of the inhabitants and the support of the whole nation. The reconstruction of the Old Town in its historic urban and architectural form was the manifestation of the care and attention taken to assure the survival of one of the most important testimonials of Polish culture. The city – the symbol of elective authority and tolerance, where the first democratic European constitution, the Constitution of 3 May 1791, was adopted – was rebuilt. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Warsaw Uprising Monument
The monument commemorates the thousands of heroes of the 1944 Warsaw Uprising who gave their lives for their homeland, having fought against the occupiers for 63 days under woefully uneven odds. It is a two-part monument. The first part presents the fighters as they crawl out from under a bridge support, while the second part shows them entering the canal system. An entryway into the canal system used to escape from the Germans was located on Plac Krasiskich.
The monument commemorates the thousands of heroes of the 1944 Warsaw Uprising who gave their lives for their homeland, having fought against the occupiers for 63 days under woefully uneven odds. It is a two-part monument. The first part presents the fighters as they crawl out from under a bridge support, while the second part shows them entering the canal system. An entryway into the canal system used to escape from the Germans was located on Plac Krasiskich.
Zamehof Artwork
This art is to commemorate Ludwig Zamenhof. He created an universal language to bring the world together, called esperanto (hope in a language close to Spanish). Esperanto is a combination of many different languages. Zamenhof is commemorated because he was Jewish. The Nazis thought of it as a Jewish language, and persecuted people because of it. The Communist thought of it as the language of spies, and continued the persecution. Now, however, many people speak this language and it still lives on. These are pictures of different famous people, like Marie Antoinette, Yoda, and Donkey from Shrek.
This art is to commemorate Ludwig Zamenhof. He created an universal language to bring the world together, called esperanto (hope in a language close to Spanish). Esperanto is a combination of many different languages. Zamenhof is commemorated because he was Jewish. The Nazis thought of it as a Jewish language, and persecuted people because of it. The Communist thought of it as the language of spies, and continued the persecution. Now, however, many people speak this language and it still lives on. These are pictures of different famous people, like Marie Antoinette, Yoda, and Donkey from Shrek.