The Old Town is included on the UNESCO World Heritage List (1980) as an example of almost complete reconstruction. During the Warsaw Uprising in 1944, 90% of the Old Town was destroyed, and only 6 of the 260 houses survived. In 1945, major reconstruction began. This is the only area in the world with a completed reconstruction of the historic fabric of the city on such a scale.
The May 3rd Constitution was adopted in the Royal Castle in 1791 - the first in Europe and the second in the world (after the American one of 1787). This is an act regulating the legal system of the hereditary monarchy of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. Here you can see canvases by Rembrandt and Canaletto - Bernard Bellotto (his paintings of Warsaw were used by architects and conservators to reconstruct the Old Town).
Sigismund III Vasa's Column on Castle Square - it was this king who moved the capital of Poland from Krakow to Warsaw in the 16th century.
In the Cathedral of St. John, there are the graves of medieval Masovian princes, the last king of Poland - Stanisław August Poniatowski and Ignacy Jan Paderewski - an outstanding pianist, politician and prime minister of the government of the Republic of Poland in 1919.
The Old Town Square was built at the turn of the 13th and 14th centuries and is the oldest square in Warsaw. It has dimensions: 90 x 73 m, surrounded on four sides by beautifully decorated, colorful tenement houses. Eight streets branch off from it: Celna, Jezuicka, Kamienne Schodki, Krzywe Koło, Nowomiejska, Wąski Dunaj, Zapiecek and Świętojańska. Fairs, important historical events and executions of convicts were once held here. From the 15th century to 1817, the town hall was located in the center of the square, and in 1855, a monument to the Mermaid by Konstanty Hegel and a water fountain were erected here. This happened in connection with the launch of the first modern city waterworks, designed by Henryk Marconi. Today you can also admire the Mermaid - the emblem of Warsaw. This is a copy of an old one, the original is in the nearby Museum of Warsaw.
The Old Town has its own specific, wonderful atmosphere. In addition to visiting the Royal Castle, you can wander through narrow streets, admire beautifully decorated tenement houses, the Barbican, experience moments of reflection and admire several churches, visit the Museum of Warsaw, which occupies 7 tenement houses, see the panorama of Warsaw from the bell tower of St. Anna at Krakowskie Przedmieście, etc. There are also numerous restaurants and cafes.

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Old Town, Warsaw, Poland
April 19, 2014