Echoes of History: A Journey Through Krakow and Warsaw

Take home something special from a vast market hall built in the 14th century, which is surrounded by arcaded passageways and topped with rows of gargoyles.

The covered market continues a centuries-old tradition with an eclectic range of goods of sale – you might be most interested in the amber jewelry or the handicraft items from the Podhale region. On the upper floor, you will find the 19th Century Polish Art Museum which features truly beautiful and under-appreciated artwork that packs a mighty patriotic punch. 

Take home something special from a vast market hall built in the 14th century, which is surrounded by arcaded passageways and topped with rows of gargoyles.

The covered market continues a centuries-old tradition with an eclectic range of goods of sale – you might be most interested in the amber jewelry or the handicraft items from the Podhale region. On the upper floor, you will find the 19th Century Polish Art Museum which features truly beautiful and under-appreciated artwork that packs a mighty patriotic punch. 

Visit the historic street that was the center of Kazimierz's Jewish community.

This wide street (Szeroka actually means wide) acted as a sort of square and marketplace for the community. While today well-maintained buildings line it, in the 19th century it would have been better described as "bustling" than "quaint". You can find all the major Jewish heritage sites nearby, including Krakow's oldest synagoague, the fortress-like Old Synagogue, which sits on the southern end of the street. Today it houses a museum of Jewish heritage.

Visit the historic street that was the center of Kazimierz's Jewish community.

This wide street (Szeroka actually means wide) acted as a sort of square and marketplace for the community. While today well-maintained buildings line it, in the 19th century it would have been better described as "bustling" than "quaint". You can find all the major Jewish heritage sites nearby, including Krakow's oldest synagoague, the fortress-like Old Synagogue, which sits on the southern end of the street. Today it houses a museum of Jewish heritage.

Visit the historic street that was the center of Kazimierz's Jewish community.

This wide street (Szeroka actually means wide) acted as a sort of square and marketplace for the community. While today well-maintained buildings line it, in the 19th century it would have been better described as "bustling" than "quaint". You can find all the major Jewish heritage sites nearby, including Krakow's oldest synagoague, the fortress-like Old Synagogue, which sits on the southern end of the street. Today it houses a museum of Jewish heritage.

Visit the historic street that was the center of Kazimierz's Jewish community.

This wide street (Szeroka actually means wide) acted as a sort of square and marketplace for the community. While today well-maintained buildings line it, in the 19th century it would have been better described as "bustling" than "quaint". You can find all the major Jewish heritage sites nearby, including Krakow's oldest synagoague, the fortress-like Old Synagogue, which sits on the southern end of the street. Today it houses a museum of Jewish heritage.

Warsaw Mermaid (Warszawska Syrenka) is the official symbol of Warsaw.

On the square, Syrenka appeared in the 19th century. According to the legend, she is the sister of Copenhagen Mermaid.

Tour the impressive Royal Castle for an entertaining crash course in Warsaw and Polish history.

Like everything else in central Warsaw, the Royal Castle was heavily damaged during the German bombing campaign that sparked WWII in September 1939 and was then completely and literally reduced to smoldering dust in 1944 in revenge for the failed Warsaw Uprising. What you see today is a carbon copy built in the 1970s when the Communist authorities became desperate to position themselves as 'socialist patriots' following decades of delay in the building schedule. Opened to the public in 1984, the Castle today is filled with period furniture and works of art. Highlights of the castle tour include the Great Apartment and its magnificent Great Assembly Hall, which has been restored to its 18th-century decor of dazzling gilded stucco and golden columns. The neighboring National Hall was conceived as a national pantheon; the six huge canvases (surviving originals) depict pivotal scenes from Polish history. Further on from the National Hall is the lavishly decorated Throne Room. Connected by a short corridor is the King’s Apartment, the highlight of which is the Canaletto Room at the far end. An impressive array of 23 paintings by Bernardo Bellotto, better known in Poland as Canaletto, captures Warsaw's mid-18th-century heyday in great detail. The works were of immense help in reconstructing the city’s historic facades. 

Warsaw Mermaid (Warszawska Syrenka) is the official symbol of Warsaw.

On the square, Syrenka appeared in the 19th century. According to the legend, she is the sister of Copenhagen Mermaid.

Tour the impressive Royal Castle for an entertaining crash course in Warsaw and Polish history.

Like everything else in central Warsaw, the Royal Castle was heavily damaged during the German bombing campaign that sparked WWII in September 1939 and was then completely and literally reduced to smoldering dust in 1944 in revenge for the failed Warsaw Uprising. What you see today is a carbon copy built in the 1970s when the Communist authorities became desperate to position themselves as 'socialist patriots' following decades of delay in the building schedule. Opened to the public in 1984, the Castle today is filled with period furniture and works of art. Highlights of the castle tour include the Great Apartment and its magnificent Great Assembly Hall, which has been restored to its 18th-century decor of dazzling gilded stucco and golden columns. The neighboring National Hall was conceived as a national pantheon; the six huge canvases (surviving originals) depict pivotal scenes from Polish history. Further on from the National Hall is the lavishly decorated Throne Room. Connected by a short corridor is the King’s Apartment, the highlight of which is the Canaletto Room at the far end. An impressive array of 23 paintings by Bernardo Bellotto, better known in Poland as Canaletto, captures Warsaw's mid-18th-century heyday in great detail. The works were of immense help in reconstructing the city’s historic facades. 

Enjoy the exquisite setting of this palace on a small island amidst the park's lake.

Located in the middle of the park lake is the Neoclassical Łazienkowski Palace - the best memorial to Stanisław August, the country's last and most cultured monarch. It was built on the site of a bathhouse erected for another member of royalty, hence the name "Łazienki" meaning simply "baths". Often referred to as the Palace on the Isle (Pałac Na Wyspie) due to its location, it is connected to the surrounding park by two collonaded bridges, creating a remarkably romantic setting. It is the smallest of Warsaw's royal palaces, and it can be visited without a guided tour. The ornately decorated interiors of the palace are well worth seeing. The palace Picture Gallery contains works by Rubens and Rembrandt, and one of the most attractive theaters in Warsaw can be found within it as well. The highlight though may be the colorful Solomon Room, with its walls covered in paintings depicting the History of Solomon. In addition to the palace itself, a large terrace with a fountain also sits on the island. Steps lead down into the water where small boats wait for passengers. You'll probably want to take lots of photos, as well as take some time to just sit on the steps of terrace and watch the swans float by. Within sight of the palace is another interesting little island, which serves as the stage for a small classical style theater sitting on the shore of the lake.

Take a break from nature to check out some contemporary art.

Ujazdowski Palace was once inhabited by King Stanisław August's Italian-born mother. These days it's home to the Contemporary Art Centre, the city's leading venue for modern art shows.

Catch a free outdoor concert at the Chopin Monument.

Just inside the park near the Łazienki Królewskie bus stop, you can find a statue of Poland's greatest composer Frederic Chopin. This is the setting for regular free Chopin recitals that take place here every Sunday between 12pm-4pm, from mid-May to late September. To find out what the programme is for each individual Sunday, go to www.lazienki-krolewskie.pl/en/.

Enjoy the exquisite setting of this palace on a small island amidst the park's lake.

Located in the middle of the park lake is the Neoclassical Łazienkowski Palace - the best memorial to Stanisław August, the country's last and most cultured monarch. It was built on the site of a bathhouse erected for another member of royalty, hence the name "Łazienki" meaning simply "baths". Often referred to as the Palace on the Isle (Pałac Na Wyspie) due to its location, it is connected to the surrounding park by two collonaded bridges, creating a remarkably romantic setting. It is the smallest of Warsaw's royal palaces, and it can be visited without a guided tour. The ornately decorated interiors of the palace are well worth seeing. The palace Picture Gallery contains works by Rubens and Rembrandt, and one of the most attractive theaters in Warsaw can be found within it as well. The highlight though may be the colorful Solomon Room, with its walls covered in paintings depicting the History of Solomon. In addition to the palace itself, a large terrace with a fountain also sits on the island. Steps lead down into the water where small boats wait for passengers. You'll probably want to take lots of photos, as well as take some time to just sit on the steps of terrace and watch the swans float by. Within sight of the palace is another interesting little island, which serves as the stage for a small classical style theater sitting on the shore of the lake.