Wilanow complex is located at the end of the Royal Route and it reminds about a glorious period in Polish history. Wilanow Palace was built in the end of the 17^th century as the summer residence of King Jan III Sobieski who in 1683 won the battle at Vienna and saved Europe from Turkish invasion.

Praga is an old district of Warsaw city on the eastern side of the Vistula river. City centre, Old Town, New Town, Lazienki Park and Palace are all located on the western side of the river. It is the only place in Warsaw where you can see remains of the 19^th century industrial town because Praga was not affected as seriously as left bank of the city by Second World War.

At the time of the Wettin dynasty Palace housed a rabbit farm and that is where the name of Palace comes from (Krolikarnia means “rabbit farm”). It is a square building covered with a dome, recalling Andrea Palladio’s masterpiece, the Villa Rotonda, near Vicenza.

Lazienki is a park of area of 73ha which contains many tourist attractions. History of park goes back to 17^th century when Marshal Stanislaw Herakliusz Lubomirski engaged Tylman van Gameren who built a hermitage and a bathing pavilion here on an island. Today’s name of park – Lazienki, comes from this bathing pavilion because Lazienki means “bath/bathrooms”.

Belvedere Palace is located at the end of the Ujazdowskie Avenues, right next to Lazienki Park. History of this building goes back to the 17^th century. In the time of Stanislaw August it was a porcelain and faience factory. Its present form in Baroque style dates from 1818 when it was remodeled by Jakub Kubicki for the Russian governor – general Prince Constantine and his wife.

Church of St Stanislaw Kostka is located in the northern part of Warsaw in Zoliborz District. It is well known church in Warsaw because of the grave of Father Jerzy Popieluszko. His grave is in the church cemetery, covered with a stone cross and surrounded by linked rocks arranged in the manner of a rosary.

The Monument to Heroes of the Ghetto is located by the square of the same name between Anielewicza, Zamenhofa, Karmelicka and Lewartowskiego streets. It was created by the sculptor Natan Rapaport and the architect Marek Suzin and unveiled in 1948, shortly after the end of Second World War when the whole city still lay in ruins.

Umschlagplatz Square is the site where the former railway was siding on Dzika Street. From here around 300,000 Jews from Warsaw Ghetto and elsewhere were loaded onto cattle trucks and dispatched to almost certain death in the extermination camps, mainly to Auschwitz and Treblinka.

Pawiak Prison was built in 1830s by Henryk Marconi on the command of the Russians. In the times of tsar, political opponents were imprisoned there. However, it gained the fame during the Nazi occupation, when it was used to imprison Poles and Jews arrested by the Germans.

The Nozyk Synagogue was built in 1898 – 1902 and funded by Zelman and Ryfka Nozyk. It is located at Twarda Street at the back of the Jewish theatre. The entrance is modern and uninteresting but the building itself is authentic with neo-Romanesque and byzantine elements.

Palace of Culture and Science is a landmark of Warsaw City visible from every corner of the capital. It is a huge building in the very centre of the city. It was a “gift” for the people of Warsaw from the nations of USSR. It was built in 1952 – 1955 to the design of a Russian architect, Lev Rudniev.

The Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession was designed by Szymon Bogumil Zug and built in 1777 – 1781. This Neo-Classical building is crowned by a dome 58 m high. For a long time the church was the highest building in Warsaw and bore witness to the religious tolerance of the Polish nation and of Stanislaw August Poniatowski 1764 – 1795, the last king of Poland.

The Saxon Gardens were laid out between 1713 and 1733 by August II Mocny (the Strong) to a design by Jan Krzysztof Naumann and Mateus Daniel Poppelmann. In 1727 they became the first public park in Poland and served as a summer salon for Varsovians.

Plac Teatralny is located close to the Old Town and Krakowskie Przedmiescie Street. It is the cultural heart of Warsaw. In the 19^th century the square was dominated by huge National Theatre designed by Antonio Corazzi and Ludwik Kozubowski and completed in 1833.

Plac Bankowy used to be a quiet little square but today is one of the most busiest places in Warsaw. Before the collapse of the Ghetto Uprising in 1943, the largest synagogue in Warsaw stood in this square. The most interesting buildings stand on the west side of the square.

Palace was built in 1728 to a design by Jan Zygmunt Deybel. This late-baroque three-storey palace is easily recognizable for its oval shape of the frontal part. It used to stand in narrow shopping street but after East – West route was constructed in 1949 it became surrounded by major traffic artery.

The palace was built for prince Dominik Radziwill in the 17^th century. Residence was designed by Tylman van Gameren in Baroque style. Later it was bought by General Ludwik Pac and remodeled according to the plans of Henryk Marconi and completed in 1828.

Palace was built in 1740 to a design by Jan Zygmunt Deybel and completed by Giacopo Fontana. It was built for Jan Klemens Branicki who was powerful magnate, adviser to August III and a connoisseur of fine art.

Palace was built for Primate Michal Radziejowski in 1691. Before it was old manor from 16^th century which was converted into a palace. Since 1691 it was a home to Polish Primates, highest officials of the Catholic Church for around 200 years.

By “city centre” we mean the area between bordered by Jana Pawla II street from the west, Stawki street and Muranowska street from the north, Miodowa Street and Czackiego Street from the east and Aleje Jerozolimskie from the south.

The traditions of Polish parliamentarism go back to the 15^th century. By the end of 18^th century this tradition was interrupted because of the loss of independence for around 120 years until 1918.

Ujazdów Avenue (Aleje Ujazdowskie) runs from Plac Trzech Krzyzy to Belwederska Street, elongating the Royal Route toward south. Avenue was laid down during the reign of Stanislaw August Poniatowski between 1768 – 1773.

Three Crosses Square in Polish Plac Trzech Krzyzy. Two crosses mounted on the top of Baroque columns mark the beginning of Road of Calvary. Crosses were commissioned by August II and made by Joachim Daniel Jauch in 1731. The third cross is held by St John Nepomuk.

New World Street (ulica Nowy Swiat) is a part of Royal Route – medieval route leading from the Royal Castle to Czersk and on to Krakow. First buildings appeared here in the end of 18^th century. After a few small palaces, some town houses were built here at the beginning of 19^th century. During the Second World War the street was seriously damaged and many buildings were reconstructed after the war.

Gniski-Ostrogski Palace was built between 1681 – 1685 by Tylman van Gameren and is considered to be great architectural masterpiece. The pavilion was erected on an elevated terrace above a cellar. There is a famous legend about the Golden Duck which lived here in the cellars under the palace. Golden Duck was a guardian of palace’s treasures.

Staszic Palace was built by Antonio Corazzi between 1820 – 1823 in the late Neo-Classical style as the headquarters of the Royal Society of Friends of Science. Stanislaw Staszic was the co-founder who funded the project. Staszic was scholar, philosopher and writer.

Church of the Holy Cross was built in 1626 and pretty soon completely destroyed in 1650s during the war with Sweden. Today’s church was built between 1679 – 1696 and was designed by Giuseppe Simone Bellotti in baroque style. Its façade was completed in 1760.

Today’s University occupies building which was built by King Jan Kazimierz in 1634 as his summer palace called Villa Regia. It used to be King’s favourite residence. In the first half of the 17^th century, the palace belonged to the Vasa dynasty.

The construction of the first wooden church on this site begun in 1654 by Queen Maria Gonzaga, wife of Jan Kazimierz. She was the one who brought the Order of the Visitation. Construction was interrupted many times and finally was resumed in 18^th century by architect Karol Bay.

The palace was built in the 17^th century for Commander Stanislaw Koniecpolski and later adopted to be the seat of the Russian tsar’s governor, General Jozef Zajaczek. In 1791-1792 the Congress of the Constitution of 3^rd May gathered here.

Adam Mickiewicz (1798 – 1855) was the Romantic Polish national poet, the author of the Polish national poem – “Pan Tadeusz”. He was the author of many famous lyrics, sonnets and ballads and the renowned “Dziady” and also many other works.

The church was founded in the 15^th century by Duchess Anna of Mazovia who brought the Bernard Monks to Warsaw from Krakow. Church was rebuilt and remodeled many times. After the Swedish invasion in 1655-1660 it was rebuilt in a Baroque style to a design by Jozef Bellotti. In 1864 it became a religious academic institution and this role maintains also today.

Krakowskie Przedmiescie was once a road leading from the city gates to Jazdow and Czersk castles. In the 17^th and 18^th centuries it was lined with stately palaces and mansions, town houses and churches. After the war street was rebuilt and now it is probably one of the most beautiful streets in Warsaw with many magnificent palaces housing government departments.

Royal Route (Royal Tract) runs from the Royal Castle, along Krakowskie Przedmiescie Street, Ujazdowskie Avenue and Sobieskiego Street to arrive finally at Wilanow Palace.

Legend says that the Mother of God appeared to a rich but childless miller, who asked her for a son. The Holy Mother asked him to build a church where he saw a snowcapped hill and to baptize the son he was to have in the newly built place of worship.

The complex of the Church and Convent of the Holy Sacrament was designed by Tylman van Gameren and built in 1688 – 1692 by King Jan III Sobieski and Queen Maria Kazimiera. The complex possesses pieces of baroque art and the gravestone of Marie Charlotte de Bouillon, who was the granddaughter of Marie’s husband.

New Town Square lies in the heart of New Town. At the turn of 14^th and 15^th century it was laid out as a spacious rectangular square. Until 1818 it had its town hall standing in the middle of the square. Today it is a triangular-shaped square.

The combined St Jacek’s Church and Dominican Convent are regarded as the largest sacral complex in Warsaw and were built by Joannes Italus between 1612 and 1638. The original church possessed fourteen altars and five chapels. In 1944 it was adapted as a hospital, treating injured insurgents of the Warsaw Uprising.

Warsaw Uprising was fought in August and September 1944. In a combined effort, soldiers and civilians fought together for 63 days to expel the Germans and regain control over their own city. Despite their brave efforts and the initial success, the citizens of Warsaw lost after Hitler sent for reinforcements.

This building was first constructed as a regular house between 1702 – 1704. Around 1750s it was remodeled into a palace and in 1768 it was rebuilt to a design by the royal architect Jan Chrystian Kamsetzer. The most interesting and beautiful feature of this building is the ballroom located on the first floor which is decorated with stucco works and paintings.

The little wooden Church of the Holy Spirit existed since 14^th century. It was burnt down by Swedish invasion in 1655. The present church was constructed between 1707 – 1711 to replace the previous building and was also rebuilt after World War 2.

The New Town was founded at the turn of the 15^th century and was reconstructed after the last war in its shape from the 18^th and 19^th century. It was destroyed in 80% during the Second World War and reconstructed in the 1950s with architecture relating to the style of the 18^th and 19^th centuries.

Old Town of Warsaw is ringed by sections of old defensive city walls. It is pretty big portion as for the European capital. Construction of the walls began in the first half of the 14^th century. Works were continued until the mid-16^th century. It is possible to walk along the walls through the special trail running between the inner and outer lines. In the outer circle of walls there is a famous monument to the Little Insurgent.

It was founded for the Augustinian Order in 1354 and destroyed during World War 2 in 1944. Only a partially burned crucifix survived which is now located in the central nave. Interior was minutely restored to a design by Sister Alma Skrzydlewska and the crucifix incorporated into modern design.

Next to the Cathedral is the Jesuit Church of the Virgin Mary of Grace founded by King Zygmunt III. It was built for the Jesuit Order between 1609 and 1629, at the same time as the monastery. This Mannerist-Baroque church dedicated to the Merciful Mother of God survived almost untouched until 1944 when it was destroyed.

St John’s Cathedral is the oldest church in Warsaw, built at the turn of the 14^th century and reconstructed in the Gothic style. Two coronations of Polish Kings took place here: of Stanislaw Leszczynski in 1704 and Stanislaw August Poniatowski in 1764.

The decision to build the Royal Castle was made when Zygmunt III Vasa moved the capital from Krakow to Warsaw in 1596. Castle was completely destroyed by the Germans during World War 2 and reconstructed from 1971 to 1988 thanks to efforts of the whole community.

The first part of Castle Square was in existence in 1644 but completed at the beginning of 19^th century. After the World War 2, the burger’s townhouses were restored which today surround the Castle Square. In the middle of the square stands the oldest secular statue in Warsaw – Zygmunt’s Column.

Old Town Square is a rectangular square of 90m by 73m and existed on the site of modern Market Square on the turn of the 13^th and 14^th centuries. Until the beginning of the 19^th century it was an administrative and commercial hub of the city.

The Old Town history goes back to the late 13^th . Today's look is due to complete reconstruction (1949 – 1963) after it was destroyed during World War 2. It is the oldest quarter of Warsaw and has a preserved medieval street plan.