Royal Castle in Warsaw = Zamek Krlewski w Warszawie. Begun as the Castle of the Dukes of Masovia. Restyled and enlarged in the 16th and 17th centuries. Rebuilt in after destruction in World War II. DSC_0964
Today was a free day in Warsaw before the tour officially began. Susan and I planned to explore the old town and visit Warsaw Castle. While the tour would later make a stop there, ti would not go inside the castle as we planned to do.
As is typical of European hotels, breakfast was a buffet mean to suit every taste and breakfast tradition. A difference in in Poland was all the delicious breads that were provided. Also, there were unique Polish breakfast items such as Salceson, head cheese, Smalec, a lard spread and Synka Mysliwska, slices of smoked ham.
We took a taxi to the Old Town, Stare Miasto. The cab left us off at Midowa and Krakowskie Przedmieście at the foot of old town square. Old town square is a pedestrian precinct. The two blocks from here to Warsaw castle is the Royal Route. We walked up the street to the Royal Castle in Warsaw (Zamek Krlewski w Warszawie) and purchased our entrance tickets. The tour was
The Royal Castle in Warsaw began as the castle of the Dukes of Masovia. It was restyled and enlarged in the 16th and 17th centuries and replace
Sigismunds Column (Kolumna Zygmunta III Wazy) in Castle Square. The column and King Sigismund III Vasa, who in 1596 had moved Polands capital from Krakw to Warsaw. Installed in 1644, reconstructed in 1949. Palace Square - Plac Zamkowy. DSC_0207
Wawel Castle in Krakow as the seat of Polands monarchs. The castle was the seat of the Russian governor during the period of partition, The castle destroyed during World War II. Photographs in the entrance show piles of rubble where the castle and Castle Square (Plac Zamkowy) are located. The castle was rebuilt in its in its 17th century appearance in (Some decorative items had been rescued before the destruction.)
The interior tour first leads through the the Great Apartment with the Throne Room and then the Royal Apartments. In the Royal Apartments is the Canaletto Room, with a collection of Canalettos paintings of Warsaw. (Lest you think he only painted Venice.) Canalettos 22 views of Warsaw and the Royal Castle were invaluable in the postwar reconstruction of Old Town Warsaw. After the apartments is the Lanckorońska Collection, an art collection including two Rembrandts and portraits of Polish monarchs and nobility. There is also a large collection of Polish decorative arts. In the basement is the tiled and vaulted Deputies Chamber. Outside in the courtyard are views of the towers of the castle.
During the reign of Stanislaus Augustus this room was used for state ceremonies. Royal Castle in Warsaw. The Great Apartment. IMG_5232
after touring the Royal Castle, we explored a bit of the old town. In one direction was St. Johns Archcathedral. Built in the 14th century in Masovian Gothic style, its faade has a surprisingly modernist appearance. The Gothic exterior was embellished over the years, but the church was largely destroyed during World War II. The exterior was restored to its original Medieval appearance, but the interior is entirely modern. Adjacent is the Jesuit Church (Church of the Gracious Mother of God). This church was builtin the Polish Mannerist style and consecrated in 1627. It was also destroyed during World War II and rebuilt with the original late Renaissance faade but a modern interior.
Right across the street from the two church was Restauracja Zapiecek. It looked like a good choice for lunch, and it certainly was! We shared a pierogi sampler and I had Polish sour rye soup (Żurek) and sausage. Żurek soup was a major discovery for me and I ordered it whenever I could during our tour through Poland. After uch, we walked back along Krakowskie Przedmieście.
Returning to the hotel in the afternoon, I was up for a bit more exploration around the Frascati neighborhood.
