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Wandering Chef: Rob Zack in Poland

These companies will help you explore and trace your ancestry.

The University of Warsaw Library is rarely listed in guidebooks, but it’s one of the city’s most beautiful places. Designed by Polish architects Marek Budzyński and Zbigniew Badowski and completed in 1999, it holds nearly 3 million cataloged volumes and welcomes more than 3,000 visitors per day. The building itself is a book to be read, beginning outside with the bronze plates bearing texts in ancient languages (Sanskrit, Hebrew, Arabic, Greek, Old Russian, Old Polish) as well as musical, chemical, and mathematical notations. At the entrance to the library stands a large book, open to a page that reads “Hinc Omnia” (meaning “hence all,” as in “hence all the wisdom comes”). Once you’ve explored indoors, head to the elaborate roof garden, where you’ll find meandering paths, panoramic views of Warsaw, and even various references to Einstein’s theory of relativity. If you’re feeling brave, take the glass footbridge over the library roof—the sky will be reflected under your feet, making it feel as if you’re walking on clouds.

The Warsaw Uprising is an exceptional chapter in the city’s history - one that is both heroic and tragic. The monument commemorates the thousands of heroes of the 1944 Warsaw Uprising who gave their lives for their homeland, having fought against the occupiers for 63 days under woefully uneven odds. Monument presents the fighters as they crawl out from under a bridge support. The monument is placed near to the former entrance to underground sewage, that the Home Army (Armia Krajowa, AK) soldiers was forced to use in order to move around the area. The monument was unveiled on 1 August 1989, the 45th anniversary of the uprising.

This part of the city’s wall was built in the 16th century however during World War II, nearly the entire Barbican was completely destroyed. After the war it was decided to rebuild the walls surrounding the former Old Town, together with the Barbican. This is a must-see site when you visit.

Warsaw’s distinct character, a blend of the East and the West, fascinates visitors. The city is poised and cultured. Adventurous cuisine, vibrant nightlife, and a rich cultural history provide multiple points of departure for exploration.

Overview

Overview

While Warsaw has many wonders of its own, the city is close to a number of fascinating attractions. A day trip to Żelazowa Wola, the birthplace of Frédéric Chopin, is a must for classical music fans, and can be combined with a visit to Kampinoski National Park. Art lovers shouldn’t miss Kazmimierz Dolny and its open-air gallery, while those interested in Poland’s industrial heritage should head to the city-within-a-city of Księży Młyn in Łódź. Also worth seeing is Janów Podlaski, a historic stud farm with Arabian horses and beautiful scenery.

There’s a legend about the origin of Warsaw in which a peasant named Wars is directed to the site by a mermaid named Sawa—hence the Polish name of the city, Warszawa. Today, Sawa serves as the official emblem of Warsaw, and statues of the syrena (meaning both “mermaid” and “siren” in Polish) are scattered all over town. The most fascinating version can be found in the Powiśle district near the Świętokrzyski Bridge. Polish sculptor Ludwika Nitschowa created the statue in 1936, using Krystyna Krahelska, a student of ethnography at the University of Warsaw, as his model. As the story goes, Krahelska was also a poet, girl scout, and soldier of the Polish Home Army, but died at only 30 years old on August 2, 1944, just a day after the start of the Warsaw Uprising.

Warsaw is one of those cities that may not be on the top 5 tourist destinations, but it will completely surprise you. Head to the old town and you will find incredibly beautiful and colorful architecture. The buildings were reconstructed after World War II, but you probably wouldn’t even notice because everything looks original.

Prozna street has a tragic history. Most of the Ghetto buildings were totally destroyed. Only a few of them are left. Prozna street is unique because this is the only street in the historic Jewish part of Warsaw where tenement buildings have been preserved on both sides of a street. They were never restored after World War II. After years of preparations finally started the revitalization of the historical tenement houses. Every September, Warsaw holds the festival of Jewish Culture “Singer’s Warsaw.”

The castle was the official residence of the Polish monarchs. After the building’s devastation by the Nazis during the Warsaw Uprising, the Communist authorities delayed a decision on whether to rebuild the castle. Finally, the decision to do so was made in 1971. It took nine years. Funds were provided thanks to the dedication of the community. Royal Castle, together with the Old Town was registered in UNESCO World Heritage Site.

After a full day of exploring Warsaw on foot, I decided to take a moment to unwind in Saxon Gardens. To enjoy being in the moment with the locals and travelers alike, as the sun highlighted the scene. The day was then topped off with a Chopin concert. An ideal way to finishing a day in Warsaw. While the entire experience was memorable, sometimes it is about finding that one moment that helps to make you realize where you are and truly appreciate it.

This small art space was one of the highlights from my Warsaw trip. Unique and off the tourist track.