Short article on Warszawa

I have visited many different cities in Poland, But the strongest sentiment I have towards Warsaw – the capital of Poland. There are a number of worth seeing and interesting places which I especially recommend. My beloved part of Warsaw which in my opinion is an absolute must for all visitors of Warsaw are the Old Town and only slightly younger New Town, , situated in the heart of Warsaw. It is crowded here at any time of the day, and in every season. The Old Town is not just a place where guests in the Polish capital go for a walk, it is also the favorite spot of Warsaw’s inhabitants. This oldest part of central Warsaw, with its almost seven centuries of history, possesses special and unique charm. This is the charm of the old dwelling houses, reconstructed with great reverence after World War II. Each of them has not only a number, but also a name of its own. It is a charm of the churches with towers rising high above their roofs, and the charm of narrow streets. It is hard to believe that the Old Town was founded so long time ago – at the turn of the XIII century and to imagine that it was completely destroyed during the Warsaw Uprising in 1944. Although it was reconstructed after the war in minute detail, it preserves the atmosphere of an early 18th – century town – apart from the maybe all to fresh paint on the walls. I love walking around the Castle Square, visiting the Royal Castle and meeting my friends at the Warsaw’s oldest monument – the Column of Sigismund II Vasa – the king who moved the capital of Poland from Cracow to Warsaw in 1596. From the Castle Square we always come to the, always teeming with people, Old Town Market Square with the beautiful Syrena (Mermaid) Monument – the symbol of Warsaw. It is said that the Mermaid, located in the middle of the Market Square, is looking after the spring beating in the heart of Warsaw. I think that practically everybody who visits the Old Town will find something attractive there. For instance, an exhibition of art in one of the numerous galleries, or the outdoor exhibition which is open all year round on the Market Square. The Old Town Square is the place where you can find a lot of artists, musicians, sculptors and painters. You can have your portrait in 5 minutes or you can buy a picture of Warsaw, as well as other souvenirs. I guess the best places for buying souvenirs and gifts in Warsaw are the countless little shops in the Old Town which offer all sorts of original Polish handicraft. I think it is no secret that modern or old paintings and graphic art purchased here are the best kinds of souvenirs from Warsaw and Poland. Other popular souvenirs can include amber jewellery, silver and gold jewellery with ambers, corals and opals or beautiful embroidered tablecloths with napkins (of course of Polish linen). Recommended gifts are also leather products, sculptures, tapestry, glassware, ceramics and artistic household goods. As I have noticed many of Warsaw’s visitors are inevitably attracted by Polish folklore. Folk art goods, such as baskets, furniture, toys made of wicker, dolls in folk costumes make for attractive gifts from Poland. Those art works may be purchased at the chain of “Cepelia” shops. In order to absorb the beauties of the city, you can also have a trip around the Old Town and the New Town by britzke or by a horse – drawn tram ( omnibus). There is also an unusual opportunity of making a weekday or weekend excursion cruise on the Vistula River, as the water trams stop at Podzamcze (at the foot of the castle). For those who get tired of walking and shopping there are countless restaurants in the Old Town. Cuisine is said to be the simplest way to learn a nation. Poland has a number of flavors, which you should try. The Polish cuisine is a complex mix of influences, Turkish, Russian, Lithuanian, German and Jewish tradition, all leaving their mark. Of course the best meals you will have in Poland are likely to beat people’s homes, if you get the invitation. For those who do not have such opportunity, Warsaw and the Old Town have many restaurants offering Polish and international cuisine, so you will not have any difficulty in finding a place to eat which fits your budget. I recommend you especially one place, locates in the Old Town, offering excellent Polish dishes that you must not miss - “U Dekerta” Restaurant. It is the traditional restaurant offering old Polish and European style cooking, a wide choice of international wines and unique atmosphere in a Gothic interior. First on the menu in most places are soups, definitely one of Polish cuisine’s strongest points, rarying from light and delicate dishes to concoctions that are meals in themselves. I think that the best known soup is “barszcz” – a spicy beetroot broth, very often accompanied by a small pastry. Other soups worth looking out for are “żurek” – a creamy white soup with sausage and potatoes, “krupnik” – a thick barley and potato soup wtch chunks of meat, and “rosół” – a chicken soup. In Poland especially treasured dishes are smoked meats and sausages, beaf and pork in different garnishes. The basis of most main courses is a fried or grilled cut of meat, commonest of which is the “kotlet schabowy” – a fried pork chop. But the first thing that people recall about Polish cuisine is “bigos” – cabbage stewed with meat, sausage, dried mushrooms, dried plums and spices. Another national speciality you will find everywhere are “pierogi” – dumplings stuffed with meat, cabbage and mushrooms or with cottage cheese. Also compulsory is “flaki” – tripes cooked in a spiced broth with vegetables. You must try “gołąbki” – cabbage leaves stuffed with meat, rice and occasionally – mushrooms, and “golonka” – pig’s leg, the best with horseradish. Carp and Trout are reliable fish dishes, usually grilled or sautéed, occasionally poaches. Main dishes come with some sort of vegetable, usually boiled or mashed potatoes and cabbage – either boiled or sauerkraut. Salads are generally made of lettuce, cucumbers and tomatoes. I advise you to go for an individual salad dish like “mizeria” – cucumber with cream, or “buraczki” –grated beetroot. Fried potato pancakes – “placki ziemniaczane” are particularly good and I recommend them to you, either with sour cream or sugar. As a dessert it is nice to choose different cakes – cheesecake – “sernik” or apple pie – “szarlotka”. If it is available, try “kompot” – fruit compote, in season of fresh strawberries, raspberries, plums or apples. In the evening you will certainly have a really nice time in one of the numerous cafes or pubs in the Old Town