WARSAW
Documents
Italian citizens only need an identity card valid abroad.
Climate
Poland enjoys a temperate climate which is, however, prone to sudden changes.
Spring: Sunny but with possible sudden cold spells even towards the end of the season.
Summer: The average temperature is about 19°C but on particularly hot days teh temperature can reach 30°C.
Autumn: Generally sunny and dry.
Winter: The coldest months are January and February. Average January temperatures are a few degrees below zero.
Currency.
The national currency is the Zloty. Currency change is legal and can be carried out in private exchange agencies called “Kantor”. Many hotels, restaurants, big shops, travel agencies, airline companies and petrol stations accept American Express, Eurocard, MasterCard and VISA credit cards. 1 Euro is worth about 4 Zloty.
Language
More than 98% of the population is of Polish origin, and Polish-speaking. A small minority speak German (approx. 200,000), Ukraine (180,000) and Bielorussian (165,000). English and German are spoken in almost all tourist areas and hotels.
Time Zone
The time zone GMT+1. The voltage is 220 Volts. Plugs are of standard German type.
Telephone communication
To call Italy, enter the international prefix 0039, the regional prefix with the leading 0, and finally the number of the person you wish to call. To call Poland from Italy, enter the international prefix 0048, the regional prefix without the leading 0 and finally the number you wish to call.
Transport
Getting around Warsaw is very simple, thanks to an efficient suburban railway and metropolitan network
Taxi service:
Bialy Taxi, tel. 9668, 633 33 33
Lux Taxi, tel. 9666
MPT, tel. 919
Sawa Taxi, tel. 644 44 44
Super Taxi, tel. 9622
Volfra Taxi, tel. 9625
Train and bus:
Train station Al. Jerozolimskie 54, telephone: 25 50 00 / 620 03 61 (national routes) / 620 45 12 (international routes);
Bus station Al. Jerozolimskie 1, telephone: 44 94 33
For train times consult the website of the Polish railway PKP (available in French, English, Polish and German) http://www.pkp.pl/english/index.php
Tourist Information Centre
Powstancow Warszawy Square 2 - Tel: 827 38 64
E-mail: warsawtour@telbank.com
Tourist Information Centre
Zamkowy Square 1/3 - Tel: 635 18 81
Italian Embassy
Dabrowskiego Square 6 - Tel: 26 34 71-4
Things to see in Warsaw:
The Citadel on the Zoliborz hill, a prison fortress built in 1832 by Tzar Nicolas.
The Muranow area, with its monument to the heroes of the ghetto (the Pommik Bohaterow Ghetto), which commorates the revolt of the Jews of Warsaw in 1943, which ended with the destruction of the ghetto.
The Market Square (Rynek Starego), surrounded by tall coloured Renaissance and Baroque buildings, has been the centre of the city’s life for centuries, surrounded by market stalls and full of painters and tourists.
It is an excellent starting point for discovering the real Warsaw.
The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist with its marvellous gothic interior.
Il Palac Zamoyskich (the Blue Palace)
Wilanow, in the suburb Ursynòw-Natolin, an enormous complex of gardens and palaces. The royal palace (the Palac) is found at the centre of the park, which is now part of the National Museum.
Plac Zamkowy ( Castle square ) is the fulcrum of the urban structure of the city: the square is surrounded by buildings from the 16th century and by the Zamek (Castle), while Sigmund II’s column (1644), designed by the Italian artists Tencalla and Molli rises from the centre.
Museums:
The Kolkcij Jana Pawia II Museum:
Contains the paintings donated by Pope John Paul II: around 450 works dating from the Renaissance to Impressionism.
Address: Plac Bankowy 1 - tel: (22) 620 27 25
The Palace of Culture and Science (Pałac Kultury i Nauki, PKiN):
The Palace of Culture and Science, a gift from Stalin to the Polish people is definitely to be included as one of the symbols of the city. Built between 1952 and 1955, beside the central station, it is situated in the shopping and business centre of Warsaw.
The National Museum:
Contains a collection of ancient and medieval art works, European and Polish paintings, sculptures, coins and prints.
The Chopin Museum (Muzeum Fryderyka Chopina):
The Chopin museum is dedicated to the most famous Polish composer. It contains original musical compositions, letters and paintings. Near the museum you can wander around the quarter in which Chopin lived during the last years of his life, before leaving for France.
Address: ul. Okolnik 1 - Tel: (22) 827 54 71
The Royal Castle (Zamek Krolewski):
Initially a ducal palace, it became the presidental residence when the capital of Poland was moved from Cracow to Warsaw. The Senate room and the royal apartments are open to the public.
Address: 4 Zamkowy Square - Tel: (22) 657 23 28 / 657 21 70
The Lazienki Royal Palace (Lazienki Krolewskie):
Surrounded by a 183-acre park, the Lazienki is one of the most beautiful palaces in Europe. The Royal summer residence, several pavilions, the classic style Palace On The Water (Pałac na Wodzie) and an ancient-style theatre are all to be found at the centre of the park. Entrance is free.
Address: ul. Agrykola 1 - Tel: (22) 621 10 13 / 625 79 44
