Warsaw

I couldn't believe it, but this morning we had the heater on whilst having breakfast! No rain overnight - what a surprise! - but certainly much cooler. 

The beautifully reconstructed Stare Miasto (Old Town). 

Getting into Warsaw early was our goal in order to get a parking spot near the old town - having done some homework on this we were pleasantly surprised to get a parking spot just around the corner from the Barbican and the entrance to the old town.

Plac Zamkowy - Royal Castle on the right and the column of King Sigismund III, the king who made Warsaw his capital. 

The Market Square has been totally reconstructed after being destroyed at the end of WWII. It is reported that some old citizens claim it to be perhaps closer to the Middle Ages centre than pre-war because the plans for the rebuilding were taken from the original baroque plans. 

You can't help but make comparisons when walking around Warsaw, realising that it was totally destroyed at the end of the war on the orders of Hitler. The reconstruction is mind blowing. This is the case for most communities that experienced this level of destruction ie Dresden.

The Royal Castle in 1945 and 2016. 

The Rynek ( Market Square) 1945 and 2016. 

We attended a baroque organ recital at the beautiful St Anne's Church by a Polish virtuoso - the church was particularly enjoyable! 

St Anne's Church, one of the most beautiful in Poland.

Having exhausted ourselves around the Old Town we drove to the Museum of the Warsaw Uprising. I can understand how Poles could remain angry for generations after a history like theirs. The museum is such a moving experience that it can't help but leave a lasting impression. A pattern of human slaughter was perfected by both the Nazis and the Stalinists. 

A view of the museum. 

Everyday Poles going about their business in 1939. 

The politics of the allied forces also leaves a lot to be desired - they basically abandoned the Poles in the hours of need. It is often said that WWII didn't end for the Poles in 1945 but went in for another 45 years! 

It was late Friday afternoon when we left Warsaw - very stupid as we were caught up in Friday afternoon traffic jams on our way to the village of Łomna for our overnight stop. 

Some more images of the day:

A beautiful shop front on the Market Square. 

A small business woman!

Again, some very fine galleries around the city. 

King Sigismund III and his Polish soccer scarf!

Horse and carriage entering the old town through the reconstructed barbican. 

Map of the carve-up of Poland after 1945. 

Some buildings have never recovered. 

A little windy!