Warsaw – The Majestic Capital - Discover Poland Magazine - Travel, do business and invest in Poland!

Warsaw – The Majestic Capital

Warsaw is Poland’s capital and largest city. Situated in the east of the country on the banks of Vistula River, it was devastated by the horrors of World War II, but now boasts an entirely reconstructed Old Town, a thriving arts scene and a lively nightlife. A modern day home to almost two million people Warsaw truly is the “Phoenix City”.

With a wealth of architectural delights, a bustling Old Town and world-class cultural treats, you would be forgiven for thinking that Poland’s capital city had enjoyed a progressive and comfortable existence for many years - but nothing could be further from the truth. Occupation, persecution, coercion and destruction are the more stark watchwords of Warsaw’s modern history. Yet the Warsaw of the early twenty-first century is a far cry from the city brought to its knees by war and oppressed by fascist and Communist regimes; this thriving and dynamic metropolis is a testament not only to Varsovians redoubtable energy but also to the spirit of Poles across the nation.

Almost entirely rebuilt to recreate its former splendour following the end of World War II, Warsaw straddles the Vistula River in east central Poland. Lying in the heartland of the Masovian plain, it is midway between the Baltic Sea and the Carpathian mountains. Summers are hot with temperatures reaching a sultry 30 degrees centigrade, although winters can be cold with the mercury often dipping below freezing. Most Poles would say the city is at its best in spring and autumn when the climate is pleasant; the former being crisp, sunny and full of flowers in bloom – there are over 80 parks in the city, while the latter is sunny and cool, but not cold. Such conditions are ideal to explore this wonderful and enchanting capital.

The Warsaw we know today was founded on the site of the small fishing village of Warszowa in about 1300 by the Płock prince Bolesław II of Masovia and grew rapidly to become the Masovian seat of power. When the ducal line in the region died out in 1526, the city was incorporated into the Polish Crown. It was made the capital of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth just 70 years later when King Sigismund III Vasa moved his court from Krakow to Warsaw’s more central location.

From its humble beginnings as a sleepy riverside village, Warsaw has become one of central Europe’s most important capitals, and is the eighth biggest city in the European Union. Today it is a vibrant, forward-looking cultural hotbed and world-renowned tourist destination. However, it endured a twentieth century that was turbulent at best.

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