1/4/2026
Warsaw – The Heart of Poland
The Polish capital is a vibrant metropolis blending the past with the present and future. Although it is one of the most dynamic and progressive regions in Central Europe, its streets breathe with history which makes its inhabitants justifiably proud.
A Town that Rose from Ashes
Warsaw became the seat of Polish kings in 1596, replacing Krakow. Warsaw is less particular about its historical value, which allows it to develop into a modern European metropolis much more quickly than Prague.
Most of the historical monuments you can see there are copies built in the second half of the 20th century. Warsaw had been repeatedly affected by World War II, with some 85 % of the buildings in ruins by the end of the war. After the war, the most important historical monuments, such as the royal palace with the adjacent square, or numerous churches, were built again. The builders meticulously followed the original plans, so that the new parts are often very hard to tell from the old ones. But many of the original narrow lanes were replaced with wide boulevards to allow for modern traffic. What might have seemed an irrecoverable loss then, proves a valuable opportunity now, as it allows for smooth modern development.
From March 2026, you can travel to Warsaw comfortably by Leo Express trains. We will run twice daily on the Prague – Krakow – Warsaw route and back, offering both day and night train connections.
A City that Never Gives Up
Warsaw was the capital of the Polish Kingdom, and after World War I, it became the capital of the Polish Republic. The red Royal Palace, formerly the seat of the kings, was the seat of the presidents until 1939. It was completely demolished during the Nazi occupation, and then completely rebuilt based on old plans and photographs in the 1970s. Miraculously, many original works of art survived the war in the cellars, and could return to the palace after the renovation. Today, it hosts the National Museum where you can admire, among many other exhibits, two paintings by Rembrandt.
🇵🇱 The Warsaw Uprising
One of the most notable parts of the town’s history is the Warsaw Uprising of August 1944. Still remembered, revered, and strongly felt, the heroic, albeit futile, struggle of the Polish defenders remains a powerful memento not only for the city, but for the whole country. You can see monuments of the uprising all over the city – there are statues, memorials, or plaquettes on houses. Indeed, we have them too in Prague and other towns, only where you would find one or two names in Prague, in Warsaw there will be dozens. Also, be sure to visit the Warsaw Uprising Museum and Archive in the neighbourhood of Wola. The modern exhibition inspires deep thought and reflection.
A City with Ambition
And current Warsaw? It is quickly developing into a European metropolis. The number of inhabitants exceeded 1,800,000 in 2024, and its role as the centre of Polish industry and trade is growing accordingly.
This results in the speedy construction of high-rises and skyscrapers. There are dozens now, and new ones are emerging. The oldest one of them has never been liked among the people of Warsaw. The architecture of the 237m high Palace of Science and Culture betrays its Soviet models. It was built in 1955 by Soviet architects, allegedly as a “Present to the People of Poland” – in reality as a token of the Soviet hegemony over Poland, the Polish say. There were debates about demolition plans after 1989, but the building is still standing today. The Palace hosts several museums, and it offers a beautiful vista from the 30th floor, 114 m high.
TEXT: Jakub Jukl
PHOTO: Shutterstock.com
The whole article can be found in the winter issue of the Leo Express Magazine
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