Perhaps, one of the most beautiful cities in Europe -this is Warsaw. The sights of the Old Town, lovingly restored by the Poles after the war, are protected by UNESCO. Not everyone knows that the modern "old" Warsaw is only a few dozen years old - during the Second World War the historic center of the city was almost completely destroyed. However, the Poles are very careful about their history. Virtually all the sights in Warsaw and its medieval buildings were restored according to ancient drawings with striking accuracy. Therefore, strangely enough, the city's image today even more corresponds to the ideas of the architects of the 17th century than it was before the war. In the Old City does not leave the feeling that his houses and streets are already several hundred years old. About the emergence of Warsaw goes one legend. The young prince Casimir went hunting and, after being carried away by the pursuit of the beast, lost his way. He stayed a long time until finally he came out to a tiny fishing hut on the bank of the Vistula. Entering the house, he saw a poor fisherman who had recently given birth to two twins. The boy was called Varsh, and the girl was Sava. In gratitude for the hospitality, the prince awarded the fisherman's family and became the godfather of his children. On the money received from the prince fisherman built a new big house. Then other fishermen began to settle nearby. There was a settlement that received its name in honor of the fisherman's children. Eventually it became a city. The first mention of the city was found in the annals of the end of the IV century.
Castle Square
Explore the sights of Warsawrecommend from the Castle Square of the Old City. It's always noisy and crowded. A visit to the square is included in all excursion programs. There are often concerts, folk festivals and other interesting events. On the square there is one of the oldest monuments of Warsaw - the column of Sigismund III of the Vaza. The marble column was installed in 1644 at the direction of King Władysław IV in memory of his father. The bronze statue of Sigismund III looks at the Castle Square from a height of 30 meters. In the hands of the monarch - saber and cross. There is a legend that if an old king drops a saber from his hands, the city is waiting for misfortune and destruction. In 1944, during the uprising, the monument was destroyed. After the war, the statue of Sigismund was restored and installed on a new granite column.
the Royal Castle
One of the main attractions of ZamkovaSquare of Warsaw - Royal Palace. The construction of the castle began in the IV century with the erection of the Great Tower. Later, around it was built a wooden fortress. In the 16th century, King Sigismund III decided to move the capital from Krakow to Warsaw. He settled in the fortress and made it the Official Royal Residence. Over time, in place of the old wooden buildings rose stone palace of unusual pentagonal shape. It is considered that any "self-respecting" old castle should have at least one ghost. The Warsaw Royal Palace is no exception. Even in the XVII century, in the palace chambers, Sigismund Augustus saw the ghost of his deceased wife Barbara. Double met with the "white lady" and King Stanislaw Poniatowski. According to legend, their first "meeting" took place in1772. Then the ghost predicted the first partition of Poland. The second meeting happened in 1794. At that time, troops of Alexander Suvorov stormed the outskirts of Warsaw. A white shadow appeared in one of the palace windows and the decay of Poland and the imminent death of the monarch were predicted. Did not ignore the Royal Castle and the alchemists. During the reign of Augustus II of Saxony, the famous alchemist Jan Bettger unsuccessfully tried to make gold in the laboratories of the palace. During the Second World War, the castle, like other sights of Warsaw, was blown up by German soldiers. They began to restore it only in 1970. In the rebuilt walls carefully and carefully assembled fragments by a miracle of surviving wooden carvings, masonry, plaster and wall paintings. 
St. John's Cathedral
Walking along the Sventoyanskaya street deep intoThe old city do not forget to look around. And then miss a lot of interesting. On the right side stands the oldest church in Warsaw - St. John's Cathedral. It was in him that the king sued the Crusaders. Here Stanislov Leszczynski and Stanislaw August Poniatowski were crowned. Tadeusz Kosciuszko prayed in the church and Peter Skarga preached. Here is stored a huge wooden crucifix - an amazing monument of Gothic art. It, back in the 16th century, when Germany was swept by the Reformation movement, one merchant from Warsaw was taken from Nuremberg. Otherwise it would have been destroyed along with other wooden sculptures. Before this crucifix, which became a national shrine, the Polish kings bowed to their knees, going to the decisive battle. The crypt of the cathedral is considered the most honorable burial vault of Warsaw. Here are buried the remains of several generations of Mazovian princes. The first Polish president Gabriel Narutovich and the famous writer Henryk Sienkiewicz also rest there. By the way, do not forget to go to the famous "magic" bell - this is also one of the attractions in Warsaw. It is installed near the cathedral. They say that if you put your hand on it, make a wish, and then go around three times around - clockwise! - the desire will certainly come true. Near the Cathedral of St. John is the church of the Jesuit Fathers, built in the Renaissance style. However, it is quite easy to find it - the top is visible directly from Zamkova Square. The temple was built in the XVII century Sigismund III, dedicating it to the patroness of the city - the Holy Immaculate Virgin Mary.
Market Square
Not far from the Castle, surrounded by houses with narrowfacades, is the Market Square. Once there lived wealthy townspeople. The buildings look very bizarre - each owner tried to make his house unlike the neighboring. Therefore, their facades are painted in various colors, and many are decorated with bas-reliefs, paintings or sculptures. Before they came up with the numbering of houses, the Poles gave them names. As a rule, this name reflects the peculiarities of the house - "The House under the Lion", "The House under the Ship", "The House under the Pelican", etc. The market square in Warsaw is one of the main attractions and the most popular tourist destination. And the residents themselves are very fond of walking here. Street artists and musicians, cozy cafes, small shops, cabs waiting for riders - all this seems to have been taken from the Middle Ages. Walking along the Market Square allows you to stop for a while, take a breather and, at least for a while, escape from the hustle and bustle of another, modern Warsaw.
Siren
Once in the Market Square, you need"Get acquainted" with the ancient patroness of the city - the Siren. They say, once a very long time, curiosity led a young mermaid into the waters of the Vistula. The fishermen were fascinated by her, and she fell in love with these simple and kind people and with pleasure sang their beautiful songs with them. Once, one merchant learned about the existence of a mermaid and decided to make money on her magical voice. He caught the Siren, put her in a cage and made him sing, collecting money for the performance. But the fishermen came to the aid of a mermaid and released her. In gratitude for this Siren promised to protect Warsaw from all troubles. Now a bellicose mermaid with a sword and shield is a symbol and one of the main attractions of Warsaw. Her figure is depicted on the coat of arms, and the monument is set on the Market Square. 
Historical Museum of Warsaw
The Historical Museum is also located on the Market Square.area. If you have some free time, be sure to check it out! You will be shown an amazing documentary about the devastation that was in Warsaw after the war and the slow, painstaking restoration of the city. Going out into the street, you will see the Old Town with different eyes.
The executioner's house
The narrow Danube can be reached by the basement. There is an old hangman's house nearby. Once upon a time, the sights of this district in Warsaw were brothels. "They were in charge" of the city's "master's affairs". He willingly "gave jobs" to young women, getting a good extra income. Now the house is a restaurant "Maharaja".
Monument to the Little Rebel
Not far from the executioner's house there is a monument to the LittleThe rebel. The monument was opened in 1983. It was dedicated to all the young heroes of the Warsaw Uprising of 1944. Looks sculpture very touching - on the pedestal is a small, fragile figure of a child of four or five years old. In the hands of a baby holding an automaton, and on his head - too large, slipping on his forehead helmet. It is believed that the monument had a real prototype. The child is the son of a doctor who helped Resistance fighters. Like many children, he was connected between detachments. The men gave him the nickname "Curly". Like most rebels, the baby died.
Old Town streets
The streets of old Warsaw are very similar to their ownthe nearest neighbors - the streets of Tallinn, Vilnius and Riga. Narrow and winding, they are perfect for a leisurely walk. The smallest street in Warsaw is called "Stone Steps". It leads to the Vistula. The steps are already more than 200 years old. At the entrance to the Market Square, the street Sventoyanskogo sticks into a small street Zapechek. Once on it traded birds. Now Zapechek is interesting because in its pavement they immured the slab, informing that the Old Town is a monument of world culture. Next, the Bake flows into the Bakery. She leads to the fortress wall. There were earlier executions. On the street of Whole is the highest place of the Old City. Here is an unusual observation deck. It is called absolutely not romantic - the Purulent Mountain. This name is not accidental - in the Middle Ages this place was an ordinary city dump. Garbage from the Old Town was brought here. However, it was a long time ago. A view of the Vistula opens amazingly beautiful! On this site you can finish a walk around the Old Town. Are you tired? Well, after seeing all the sights, you can turn into a nice cafe with a good conscience - there are so many of them on the streets of Old Warsaw. The cuisine in Poland is simply fantastic. However, this is a topic for a separate conversation.
