Warsaw Old Town

The Old Town Square was initially built in the 13 th century. but destroyed by fire. Still it was rebuilt, was the residence of the Polish Monarchy, then became inhabited by artists, Jews, red light area too. But always bounced back to become the administrative pulse of Warsaw. Come World war II, it was among one of the most attacked cities. But maximum damage was done during and after the Warsaw Uprising by the Polish underground army against the Germans, when the Germans retaliated by razing the Old Town to rubble. It was only the Polish pride that helped restore the Old town by paintings and pictures by pre world war architecture students. Bricks and small artefacts restored form the rubble ,as well as old bricks flown in from other parts of Poland helped in the restoration work.

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St Annes church survived the Nazi onslaught but was nearly destroyed by the construcation of the Trasa WZ tunnel, which threatened its foundations. A team of 400 builders worked at it for weeks to avoid what could have been irreparable damage to this old church.

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One can easily spend a couple or more hours here, just drinking in the place, the street artists, the beautiful St Johns Cathedral, the view from atop terrace of St Annes Church, just walking down various allys, going shopping for amber and other souvenirs, going for a horse carriage ride or just sitting in the shade of the Victory Column looking at life from another perspective. 

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There are lots of cafes to sit and have your lunch right in the square itself. There are souvenir shops all over. For amber, you can get some discount at this shop called Amber Palace, which is near St Johns Cathedral.

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Opening hours of St Annes Church:

Open 09:00 - 15:00, Sun 10:00 - 19:00.

No visiting during mass.

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