Basic info about Warsaw

Warsaw (called in Polish: Warszawa) is a capital city of Poland and its biggest city. Warsaw is also the capital city of the Mazovia province.

Continue reading to learn more about Warsaw.

Warsaw

Population of Warsaw is around 2 millions (out of 38.5 mln of Polish).

Flag of Warsaw

Coat of Arms of Warsaw

Warsaw's motto is: Semper invicta (Always Invincible). Warsaw was a place of many battles, most recently during the Second World War, but the people never surrendered. Because of a fighting history you can find lots of battlefield or fighting mementos in Warsaw. Warsaw may not be the most beautiful city in the world, as it was often destroyed and robbed during its history. During Second World War around 2/3 of Warsaw was destroyed!

Administration

Warsaw is governed by the President of Warsaw. Currently it's Hanna Gronkiewicz-Waltz from the Civic Platform party (ruling party).

Warsaw is divided in 18 districts (dzielnic) ruled by mayors. Warsaw is also divided by the Vistula (Wisła) river to two parts: left-bank and right-bank Warsaw. For my whole life I've been living in the left-bank Warsaw, mainly Wola district (which also means "will" in Polish). The newest district in Warsaw (from the end of 2002) is Wesoła (meaning: fun) in the right-bank part.

Symbols of Warsaw

The symbol of Warsaw is a legendary mermaid, Sawa, who later became a wife of a fisherman called Wars. Sawa has sworn to protect the people that's why she is usually depicted with a shield and a sword, just like you can see in the coats of arms. The neighbourhood where they were living later became Warszawa.

Palace of Culture and Science

© Nnb, Wikipedia.

The people in Warsaw are very fond of the mermaid, and affectionaly call her "syrenka" instead of the official "syrena" term. Through the city there are lots of monuments or representations of mermaid. Or places with names referring to our syrenka. A walk through the city following the mermaids can definitely lead you to interesting places, which you wouldn't know about or go there other way.

The building symbol of Warsaw is Palace of Culture and Science (Pałac Kultury i Nauki). It's located in the city center, near a major transport hub and moreover it's visible from a long distance, so if lost, just ask how to get there. This Palace is also one of the highest tower clocks in the world (you can see the time on it well) and has the viewing terrace (great 4-directions panorama) on the 30 floor*. Buy a ticket and see the day or night view of Warsaw, both stunning.

* We call it 30 floor, because we count the "fisr floot" as "zero". "Second floor" is "first floor" for Polish. So when you go to the viewing terrace, use "30 floor" even if this is a 31st floor for you. 

Transport and Accommodation

Warsaw is the only Polish city with metro. You can also ride buses (also during the night), tramways and trains. Around Pałac Kultury i Nauki (abbreviated to PKiN in writing, Pałac in speaking) there are: metro stop "Metro Centrum", various bus and tramway stops and two train stations: Warszawa Śródmieście (mainly local and regional trains) and Dworzec Centralny (main train station in Warsaw) which serves major country and international routes. During the night in front of the Dworzec Centralny is a nightly buses (Nxx) junction. Almost all of the buses stop there and usually depart at 15 minutes after and before a full hour (23-05). Just check it earlier, there are tens of the bus lines and they have different bus stops.

Accommodation is not a problem in Warsaw, from cheap hostels and hotels to the luxury hotels, it's all here.

Come and see Warsaw with your own eyes, it's worth it!