Bicycle in Warsaw
Cycling Through History: Discovering the Heart of Warsaw
Warsaw is a city best explored in motion. My guided bike tour was the perfect way to feel the pulse of the Polish capital and see its most important landmarks from a unique perspective. This wasn't just a physical activity; it was a journey through time, rich with history and legendary tales.
The Royal Castle – Witness to Great Events
Our bicycle sightseeing journey began at Castle Square (Plac Zamkowy). Dominating the square, the Royal Castle is more than just the former seat of Polish kings and the meeting place of the Sejm (Parliament); it is a powerful symbol of the city's indomitable spirit.
The Castle was utterly destroyed during World War II, with its ruins symbolically blown up by the Germans after the defeat of the Warsaw Uprising.
The Castle, along with the entire Old Town (Stare Miasto), was meticulously rebuilt in the 1970s and 1980s thanks to immense effort and public fundraising. This act was of historic significance, underscoring that the residents of Warsaw had not forgotten their identity. Today, we can admire it in its full splendour, even though it is, in essence, a faithful historic reconstruction. In 1980, the Castle and the Old Town were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List—a global exception due to its status as a total reconstruction, not an original monument.
Around the Old Town Walls
Right next to the Castle stands Sigismund's Column (Kolumna Zygmunta), one of the oldest and most recognizable monuments in the city. King Sigismund III Vasa famously moved Poland's capital from Krakow to Warsaw in 1596, forever changing the city's destiny.
Cycling through the Old Town, you can't miss its defensive walls, the most famous part of which is the Barbican. It’s worth knowing that in the Middle Ages, Warsaw had two rings of defensive walls separated by a narrow space. Much like the Royal Castle, these fortifications were destroyed and then painstakingly reconstructed after the war to restore the historic character of the Old Town Market Square area.
The Legend of the Vistula Mermaid
Next, we rode along the picturesque Vistula Boulevards, soaking up the views and the lively atmosphere. It was there, on the riverbank, that we saw the symbol of Warsaw: the Warsaw Mermaid (Syrenka Warszawska). Legend has it that two mermaids swam up the Vistula River from the Baltic Sea, and one of them, captivated by the fishermen's songs, decided to stay forever, becoming their protector.
This Warsaw bike tour allowed me to fully appreciate the city's dynamism—from the historic charm of the Old Town and the Royal Route to the modern, vibrant Vistula River recreational zone. It’s an unforgettable way to truly feel the spirit of this resilient city.
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