Touring the downtown

Our second weekend in Warsaw and we decided to take a walking tour of downtown Warsaw. We figured out how to take a bus downtown and managed to get it right the first time and even arrive on time to our destination. WOOHOO!!! Ok I make it sound like a huge accomplishment but we took the easy route. We walked an extra block so that we could take a direct bus downtown and not have to switch but it still counts!

We spent the beautiful morning walking through the city. We tried to listen and I can tell you that it is much easier to understand a polish accent than it is an arabic one. We however did not plan well enough and decided to leave the stroller at home. We were not sure if it was a stroller friendly city or not and our backs were paying the price after 3 hours. For future reference this place is great for strollers and it seems much of Europe is. We saw areas of the city that had been completely destroyed in WWII, a part of the wall that surrounded the Jewish Ghetto, many statues, the palace, and the changing of the guard at the tomb of the unknown solider. After the tour we had lunch at a nice Italian restaurant and returned home for naps and relaxation. It was a great day out in a new place.

Did you know that the mermaid is the symbol of warsaw? Go figure

Love  the colored houses. These houses line The Old Town Square. This square was completely destroyed during the war and was rebuilt after in 7 years times. It is a UNESCO world heritage site.

Absolutely love this picture. She tends to stroke her Daddy's cheeks when he holds her.

 

The Royal Castle...Well a former royal castle.

Zygmunts Column. The oldest Secular monument in Warsaw. It was said that if his Sword should even touch the ground (instead of being held up as it is) then it would be the sign of the downfall of Warsaw. The column was knocked over during WWII and the sword hit the ground. Then the city was almost completely destroyed. Sometimes legends do come true.

This bell is though to grant wishes. You walk around it with your hand on top Once for a small wish and 3 times for a large wish and as long as you don't tell anyone your wish will come true. Little Lady had to get in on the action but I had to help her reach the top. I figure she wished for Mommy to stop putting her in time out or maybe for ice cream. Who knows.

The city walls.

Marie Curry's old house that is now a museum. She is the baby in the painting holding a test tube.

Monument to the 1944 Warsaw Uprising

Namiestnikowski Palace. It is now the official President's residence

In front of the President's Residence

A wedding party that went by while we were eating lunch.