POLAND’S capital was once called the little Pans’, later The invincible city”, and then a Phoenix city." It was rebuilt many times after the destruction of successive wars, and World War li in lac l razed the city to the ground. At present Warsaw is modern city I hat respects tradition and its historical monuments. Warsaw is the largest Polish city, the seat of central authorities, a transportation hub. a large business center and the head-qjiarfcrs qJ many. Polish mid international companies. Il's A city of cultural events, avant fcarde exhibitions and concerts >y famous stars, as well as a city of business, congresses and meetings, and an Important transit point on international routes.

Warsaw became a political center with lightning speed- In 1413 it became the capital of the Mazovian Duchy, and in 1596 Polands capital was moved there from Oacow. In 1791 the so-called Four-Year Sejm debated in the city, passing one of the worlds oldest constitutions, called the May 3 Constitution. Warsaw was the birthplace of Maria Sklodow-ska-Curie. and Frederic Chopin lived and gave concerts there.

At present Warsaw is a modern city As in communist times, its landscape is dominated by the Palace of Culture and Science, but more and more sleek glass towers are appearing in the center. The capital’s symbol is I he reconstructed Royal Castle, which together with the Old Town, the Royal Route and park and palace complexes in Lazienki and Wilanow is one of the main destinations of Polish and foreign tourist excursions. However. your stay in Warsaw should not be limited to historical silues. You can visit museums. galleries and exhibition halls. There are numerous parks and from the banks of the Vistula you can admire the cityscape. There are a few small forests and natural reserves within city borders, as well as part of lhe Mazovian Landscape Park. Warsaw also borders on (he Kampinoski National Park, which Is the only example in Europe of a large metropolis next to a natural reserve.

The excursions usually start from Zamkowy Square with the status of King Siglsinound 111 Vasa who moved the capital from Cracow. By the square stands the Royal Castle which contains a museum of historical Interiors. It Includes a complex of rooms of Poland’s last ruler. King Stanislaw August Ponia-towski. This is all in the Old Town, a small district with unique ambiance. It’s full ol piemresque lanes, museums

and galleries Resident artists add to the districts atmos-|>h' i The 15 century St John's Gothic cathedral dominates Swiclojanska Street. Its cellers hold the sarcophaguses of th Mazovian Princes. Poland's inter war President Gabriel Narutowicz. politician and composer lunacy Paderewski and Primate Stefan Wyszyn-ski.

The central point of the Old Town is the ever-busy Old Town Square. It's filled with cafes and restaurants and artists selling their paintings. Horse cabs offer tours around the city and you can listen to a street organ. The most interesting of the townhouses on the square include Klucznmkowska house with the Pod Kr«»L»l\ 1cm res-

taurant and the Pod Bazulisz-kiem house which refers to a legend of a monster whose mere image was deadly. There is also the Historical Museum and the Museum of Literature. The district used to be surrounded by defensive walls of which part have been reconstructed, including the Barbakan.

The neighbouring New Town is also worth seeing. At 16 FretA St. the future Nobel Prize winner who discovered radium and polonium. Mana Sklodowska Curie 11867-1934). was born. Among the numerous churches, the most Interesting is the church and nunnery of the Order of the Holy Sacrament h was founded by Maria Kaz-imiera. tlie wife of King Jan III Sobieski, as a votive offering commemorating the king’s victory over the Turks in tiie battle of Vienna In 1683.

The Royal Route, which starts by the Royal Castle, is a symbol of Warsaw's history. It has always connected the castle with residences in Kazienki and Wilanow. It's a street of palaces and churches, elite society and elegant salons. There you can see monuments to Polish national bard Adam Mickiewicz and astronomer Nicholas Copernicus. The l7"‘-ccntury Rad-zlwil Palace later called Nami-estnikowsk! (the Governors) is

the sivit of the Polish president. It is i big and busy street, filled with young people - two palaces on it house Warsaw University and the Academy of Fine Arts. Nearby you can see Marshal Jozef PLsudski Square with the lomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Saski Gardens behind it. and Teatrahiv Square with the capitals largest theater complex containing the Wielki Theater and National Opera. On Krakowskie Przedmlescle and in its vicinity .you will find places and .monuments connected with Frederic Chopin: the room in which he lived in Czapski Plance. the Church of the Holy Cross where his heart is interred and Ostrogski Castle on Tainka Street with a museum and a concert hall.

Nouy Swial Street. lined with elegant shops, is equally beau-tiiul. Nearby, on JerozoUniskie Avenue, one of the city’s main arteries, is the National Museum with a rich collection of Polish and foreign art and the Polish Army Museum. Many Polish and foreign companies have their headquarters in the vicinity.

along Ujazdowskie Avenue, linecl with townhouses and palaces which are mostly occupied by embassies now. The route reaches the Royal Lazienki park and palace complex of King Stanislaw August Poniatowski. There you will find the cleanest air in central War-

saw. The park's Palace on the Water houses a museum where \m can see. for example, the table at which the king worked. Other Lazienki attractions include a pond with gondolas, the Orangery with the former Court Theater, the Palm House and the Theater on the Island. In the summer, you can listen to piano concerts by the Chopin monument. Next to the park is the Belvedere Palace, the former residence of the Polish president. The Royal Route ends at the park and palace complex in Wilanow built by King Jan III Sobieski. The palace was completed only in 1996 and later it was frequently redecorated and rearranged according to the fashion of the day. The richh ornamented facade is homage to the royal family and the king’s victory in the Vienna battle.

Warsaw will charm you with other beautiful districts and jiarks and the Vistula Escarpment. Praga. the district on the eastern bank, has retained its traditional style, with fragments of the 19'-century district pre-