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.