The Old Town (UNESCO World Heritage)

★★★ Stare Miasto — The Reborn Old Town

The Warsaw Old Town is unique in world history: as the only city, a complete reconstruction was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site (1980). After the destruction in World War II, it was meticulously reconstructed between 1949 and 1963 based on paintings (especially Canaletto's 18th-century vedute!), photographs, and plans. The result is astonishing: You feel like you're walking through a 400-year-old district.

★★★ Plac Zamkowy (Castle Square)

The gateway to the Old Town and Warsaw's central meeting point. The Sigismund's Column (Kolumna Zygmunta III Wazy) from 1644 — the city's oldest monument — towers over the square. Here begins the Royal Route (Trakt Królewski), the historic grand avenue to the south.

★★★ Zamek Królewski (Royal Castle)

The Royal Castle on Castle Square was the residence of Polish kings and the seat of the Sejm (parliament). The Nazis completely blew it up in 1944. The reconstruction (1971–1984) was a national effort — millions of Poles donated for it. Today it houses magnificent halls with original paintings by Rembrandt, Bacciarelli, and Canaletto.

Plac Zamkowy 4. 40 PLN (9€). Tue–Sun 10:00–18:00 (summer), 10:00–16:00 (winter). Mon closed. Audioguide available in German. Duration: 1.5–2 hours.

★★★ Rynek Starego Miasta (Old Town Market Square)

The market square is the heart of the Old Town: Colorful townhouses from the 17th/18th century frame the square with the Syrenka (Warsaw Mermaid) — the city's coat of arms and symbol. In summer full of street cafés and artists, in winter atmospherically lit.

★★ Barbican & City Walls

The Gothic barbican (1548) is one of the few preserved parts of the medieval fortification. In summer, an art market takes place here. From the city walls, there is a beautiful view of the Vistula.

★★ St. John's Cathedral (Katedra Św. Jana)

The oldest church in Warsaw (14th century), where Polish kings were crowned and the Constitution of May 3, 1791 — Europe's first democratic constitution! — was solemnly adopted. In the basement: Graves of famous Poles.