Last summer, I took a random child-free trip to the vibrant city of Warsaw in Poland with my cousin for a long weekend. Somewhere I have never visited before, but somewhere I have wanted to visit again ever since. In this post, I will be sharing some interesting facts about Warsaw that will make you want to visit too!
We literally jumped on a RyanAir flight and stayed in the PURO Hotel, which for us was the right place to stay for getting around and enjoying the capital city of Poland.
Starting with Pierogi, Poland’s most famous food! There are so many restaurants dedicated to this little dumpling, but we visited the Zapiecek restaurant based at Świętojańska 13 in Warsaw Old Town.
I possibly would have enjoyed my plate of sweet fruit pierogi with a jug of sweet cream even more if I hadn’t enjoyed far too much Polish vodka at the Selavi nightclub hours beforehand.
Exploring Warsaw And What I Loved
Walking back to the PURO hotel via Nowy Świat street was the longest walk ever, but also the most scenic. I even stumbled straight through the middle of the most peaceful protest.
Polish citizens really do have a lot of respect for their capital city and the cleanliness and beauty of every street is a testament to the people of Warsaw.
The Polish capital boasts a vibrant street art scene, well-maintained green spaces which are beautifully tended to and showcases its rich cultural heritage proudly. If you want to know more interesting facts about Warsaw, Poland, be sure to keep reading!
The Most Fun Facts About Warsaw
- As of 2023, the population of Warsaw is just under 1.8 million people, making it the capital city and largest city of Poland, covering an area of 200 square miles. Poland itself is the 9th largest country in Europe.
- Average temperatures in the summer are similar to the UK and we were happy to walk around in t-shirts for most of the day. However, winter’s are cold and you should be prepared to wrap up for the bitter elements!
- If you are heading to Warsaw on your travels soon, stock up on Zloty which is the currency of Poland.
- Polish people voted on whether or not to join in the EU in 2003, with a resounding 77% in favour, which lead Poland to become a member of the European Union on 1st May 2004.
Summary: Interesting Facts About Warsaw
Click on the menu below to jump to a specific interesting fact!
- The Reconstruction of Warsaw’s Historic Centre After WWII
- Marie Curie Was Born In Warsaw
- The Palace Of Culture and Science Was a Gift
- The Narrowest House in the World Is In Warsaw
- Nicolaus Copernicus Monument Is One Of Poland’s Most Famous Landmarks
- Kabacki Forest Was The Site of Poland’s Worst Air Crash
- Warsaw Loves Vegans
- The Polish Constitution is The World’s Second National Constitution
- Is Poland Located in Eastern Europe or Central Europe?
- PURO Hotel Warsaw, Poland
The Reconstruction Of Warsaw’s Historic Centre After WWII
The capital city of Poland used to be a vibrant centre for Jewish people, with busy markets, charming cobblestone streets and coluorful townhouses.
Owing to its many grand boulevards, elegant buildings and rich cultural life, people from around the world used to call it “Paris of the North”. But then the Second World War happened and the Warsaw Uprising to liberate Warsaw from the German occupation.
Historical landmarks such as the Royal Castle were largely reduced to ruins by Nazi troops and many variations of the Polish language became extinct. During this time, around 85% of Warsaw’s historic centre was decimated.
However, the Polish spirit was nothing short of strong and eventually the city was rebuilt. Warsaw during the rebuilding process led to the city’s nickname as the “Phoenix City.” The name symbolises the city’s ability to rise again, rebuild and flourish despite the devastating destruction it had gone through.
The reconstruction of Warsaw Old Town took five years and saw the loving restoration of churches, palaces and the Old Town market place, all of which are very well maintained. As such, it is no surprise that the Historic Center of Warsaw is a cultural UNESCO World Heritage Site and simply breathtaking to walk around.
Marie Curie Was Born In Warsaw
Born on 7th November 1867, Marie Curie is probably one of the most famous people associated with Warsaw. Winner of two Nobel Prizes in two different categories, Physics and Chemistry, Marie Curie certainly made her mark on the world.
You can take a tour of the Museum of Maria Skłodowska-Curie at Freta 16, to find out more about this remarkable woman and where she was born. If you take a stroll to the Multimedia Park Fountain, don’t forget to take pictures of the iconic Monument to Maria Skłodowska-Curie!
The Palace of Science and Culture Was a Gift
…and you wouldn’t expect who it was from. Drum rolls, please. It was from the Soviet Union!
Poland and the Soviet Union had a very tumultuous and complex relationship in the past. They found themselves on opposite sides during World War II. Though came together on the same side during the Cold War, though political tensions were high.
It was during the Cold War that the infamous Joseph Stalin commissioned the construction of the Palace of Culture and Science in Warsaw.
Regardless of whether it is considered a “good” or “bad” gift, no one can argue about its cultural relevance. It currently stands as the second tallest building throughout Poland and is the sixth tallest building in the European Union.
The Narrowest House In The World Is In Warsaw
With a width of just 152 centimetres at its widest point and is 72 centimetres wide at its narrowest, you can find the house located between 22 Chłodna Street and 74 Żelazna Street.
Designed by Polish architect Jakub Szczesny, the “Keret House” really is an architectural marvel and was designed for writers to stay there.
I can’t begin to imagine how cramped and suffocating it is inside. Whilst I love writing I doubt I could find much inspiration in that small space.
Nicolaus Copernicus Monument Is One Of Poland’s Most Famous Landmarks
Standing before the Staszic Palace, the bronze Nicolaus Copernicus monument is a dedication to the Renaissance astronomer who was born in Poland and sees him holding an armillary sphere and compass.
The inscription on the east face of the monument reads, “Nicolo Copernico Grata Patria” (Latin: “To Nicolaus Copernicus [from a] Grateful Nation”). The west face (as pictured above)”Mikołajowi Kopernikowi Rodacy” (Polish: “To Mikołaj Kopernik [from his] compatriots”
The monument certainly has a few stories to tell. Most notably when it was moved to Nysa by the Germans in WWII. They were due to melt it down, however it was rescued and returned to its rightful place in 1945 and unveiled again in 1949.
Kabaty Woods Was The Site of Poland’s Worst Air Crash
On 9th May 1987, LOT Polish Airlines Flight 5055 crashed near the Kabaty Woods Nature Reserve, located to the south of Warsaw. Tragically a total of 183 lives were lost.
A memorial stone stands as a tribute to the lives lost at the crash site in the Kabaty Forest. A place of rest and relaxation for people in the surrounding areas.
Warsaw Loves Vegans
Not only is the capital of Poland home to a rich history and beautiful landmarks, but it’s also a hub of amazing amazing vegan restaurants.
I’m not just talking about regular vegan restaurants, I’m talking about food places totally dedicated to veganism. From Italian cuisine, to Mexican, Japanese, Polish food and more. Even vegan travellers will rejoice in the menu options available to them! Even if you’re not vegan but are curious to try vegan food, Warsaw is the perfect place to be.
The Polish Constitution is The World’s Second National Constitution
Written in 1791, The Polish Constitution, then known as the Governance Act was the first modern constitution in Europe. At the time, it was the second in the world, following the US Constitution.
Created in Warsaw, it has been adapted several times over the years. Most recently it was updated on 2nd April 1997 and was originally known as the Constitution of the Republic of Poland.
A copy of the original Governance Act from 1791 is still held in the Central Archives of Historical Records in Warsaw.
Although it faced many challenges and was not fully realised, it showed the progressive thinking and aspirations for social reform in Poland back in the day.
Is Poland Located in Eastern Europe or Central Europe?
The answer entirely depends on who you ask!
Some argue that Poland, along with other countries like the Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia, falls within Central Europe. Geographically-speaking, it is.
While others believe that Poland’s cultural and historical ties align it more closely with Eastern Europe. Therefore considering it an Eastern European country.
I personally classify Poland as being in Eastern Europe. With so much still to see, I cannot wait to return!
PURO Hotel Warsaw, Poland
During our whistlestop weekend in Warsaw, we stayed at the PURO Hotel Warszawa Centrum. It’s central location made it very conveniently placed for us to get around.
Here’s one of the most interesting facts about Warsaw, the city centre itself is quite flat. Walking around in the city centre is so easy. You will not realise how far you walk in a day as there really is so much to see and do along the way.
Breakfasts at the PURO Hotel are included in the price and are a great way to start the day! With a small buffet selection, alongside pastries, cereals and fruit, the made to order menu was my favourite!
The Croque Madam toastie featured above was a particular highlight from staying at this ultra modern and quirky hotel.
Final Thoughts On Interesting Facts About Warsaw
There’s one thing I’m sure about, Poland is a stunningly gorgeous country. Jaw-dropping natural landscapes, check. Lovely people, check. Beautiful stories, check. It ticks all the boxes. And trust me, experiencing Poland firsthand is an absolute must.
Take a stroll through the bustling marketplaces of the old town. Indulge in a picnic amidst the wide-open fields of Łazienki Park. Strike up conversations with the friendly locals like we did. You find gems when you ask about their favourite spots in the city and best places to eat.
There’s so much to do, and there’s so so much more to discover! The fascinating insight into Warsaw featured above is just the very tip of the iceberg! If you are heading there on your travels, message me for tips on must visit places in Warsaw!
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For further reading on European countries, check out these interesting facts about Lithuania.
Check out our Google Web Story video featuring facts about Warsaw from this post.
Discover the charm of another European capital city by checking out fun facts about Riga.
Very interesting! I know so little about Poland but love to travel. Great post–it was fun to get a glimpse of Warsaw. Visiting from Grammy’s Grid Unlimited Linkup.
Thank you for stopping by Jennifer! I really didn’t know what to expect from my visit but was totally blown away… the people, the level of respect… everything was pristine and clean and so well maintained and looked after. It was almost heartbreaking returning to the UK!
Poland is on our bucket list. There is so much great info here. I am pinning this to look at when we start to plan our trip.
Thank you for pinning Catherine! Poland is amazing, especially Warsaw, it was a real treat exploring, totally topped any expectations I had! 🙂 Hope you get to visit soon!
Warsaw looks like an awesome place to visit. I’ve just Googled ‘Keret House’ and wow it is teeny tiny! Think I’d be a little claustrophobic in there.
Thanks so much for sharing with #MMBC. Hope to see you again. 🙂