The hidden gems of Warsaw

Most tourists who come to Warsaw limit their sightseeing in the city to the few sights listed in their guide books. There is the Old Town, the Royal Gardens at Łazienki Park, a Jewish Heritage trip to see the few relics of the once thriving diaspora, and Wilanów Palace. Add the Palace of Culture to the list. Not many tourists spend more than two days in the capital, and are usually more anxious to go to Kraków or Gdańsk, both of which are more renowned for their sights and monuments.

However, Warsaw's offer doesn't end with the replica of the Old Town and the Royal Castle or the viewing platform on the 30th floor of the Palace of Culture.

Communist block
For those Westerners fascinated with communism and its architecture, Warsaw is probably the second-best place in the world after Moscow to visit. Apart from the conspicuous Palace of Culture, which will house the museum of communism in the near future, the center of Warsaw is full of buildings from the era of social realism. Just try Plac Konstytucji for instance - huge monumental apartment blocks with colonnades and pillars, which give them an imperial look, as well as statues depicting the heroes of the working class between them. As a matter of fact, the Old Town itself was rebuilt in the 1950s in a way which adopted the old architecture to new reality - religious symbols on facades were replaced with characters from Greek mythology.

Monumental cemeteries
But if you are looking for old, world-class monuments, then the Powązki cemeteries are for you. Located in the Wola district, the burial grounds of all the various religious groups that have inhabited Warsaw over the last few hundred years lie adjacent to each other. The Catholic cemetery, which is one of the oldest and largest in Europe, as well as the Lutheran and Calvinist cemeteries were established in the 1790s. The gravestones, mausoleums and sculptures decorating the graves there are the work of the finest architects and sculptors from the neoclassical period to the Secession. The Jewish cemetery, which is the largest such burial ground in Europe, can also be found in the vicinity. 

Tragic fate
For those willing to learn something about Warsaw's tragic fate during World War II, the Museum of the Warsaw Uprising is the place to see. Located in a renovated tram power station, this fully interactive facility is nothing like the typical, staid museum. You can see films from the Uprising and even listen to songs that the young soldiers sang.

The Uprising ended in the near-complete destruction to the city, which today resembles its pre-war version only in certain parts. However the Praga district, which lies across the Vistula from the center, was not destroyed during the war and has maintained its identity both in terms of 19th century architecture and in terms of culture. If you want to see how the pre-war capital looked, then you should consider taking a trip across the river.

Modern marvels
If you are keen on more modern sights, you might be surprised by the fact that Warsaw's Metropolitan, designed by the world-famous architect Norman Foster, was named the world's top office building in 2004. Also, don't forget to check out the unique skyscraper housing the Intercontinental Hotel, a stone and glass construction with a one-leg support allowing the sun  to reach the surrounding smaller buildings. The new Library of the Warsaw University with a garden on its roof is also worth seeing, and demonstrates how modern, glassy architecture can be combined with greenery and nature.