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The interior of the Basilica of the Holy Cross awaits a disturbing object: the very heart of Chopin, the most acclaimed figure of Polish culture. Even more curious is the fact that the organ of the famous musician is preserved in a bottle of cognac, inside one of the pillars of the basilica. Chopin himself asked his sister Ludwica, shortly before she died in Paris at the age of 39, to move his heart to Poland due to the deep love she professed for his land and partly also because of his apprehension about it. be buried alive.
This is one of the string of anecdotes that are part of the Royal Warsaw Route, the route traditionally taken by the kings of Poland, from the official residence in Castle Square to the summer residence in Willanow Palace. In fact, Chopin himself lived his early years in a house on this famous avenue, since his father worked as a teacher at the high school and university, a few meters from the basilica.
Although 80 percent of the capital was destroyed, both the Royal Route and the historic center remain in an admirable state of conservation, as if they had avoided the ravages of recent contemporary history. In fact, during the Nazi invasion and suspecting that what really happened was going to happen, several teams of architects and engineers took note, building by building and meter by meter, of a good part of the historic area of the city. The pharaonic and complex reconstruction work was a resounding success, which allowed something unique: that the historic center, despite being a copy of the original, is today part of the historical and cultural heritage of UNESCO.
Palaces abound in Poland; they come in various sizes, Renaissance, Baroque and Gothic, in the shape of a fortress or Versailles court. A few meters from the basilica is the Staszic Palace, which dates back to 1620. In the beginning it functioned as an Orthodox chapel, until in the 19th century it adopted its current form, in a neoclassical style. Today it houses the Society of Friends of Science and it is possible to make tourist visits. Right in front stands a monument that pays tribute to another of the country's great glories, Nicholas Copernicus (1473-1543), who went down in the history of science by affirming the heliocentric system, in which the Earth and the other planets rotated. around the Sun, and not the other way around as was claimed for centuries.
The monument - which is visited by hundreds of tourists every day - was created on the initiative of priest Stanisław Staszic. It was inaugurated in 1830, made by the Danish sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen. The monument is 2.8 meters high, made of bronze and shows Nicholas Copernicus seated, holding a compass in his right hand and a sphere in his left. Interestingly, the statue shows Copernicus in a sitting position because he is a "guest" in Warsaw. In Torun, his hometown, he is shown standing.
The Ruta Real avenue is wide and elegant, lively, with shops and some restaurants; There are also street musicians, who surprise with their great quality when it comes to performing classical pieces. At Christmas time they decorate the trees with white lights and Warsaw residents go out without fear to walk, braving the low temperatures of several degrees below zero. The solution, says one of them, is layers of clothing, the more the better, while he indicates that he has six layers on top of each other.
Another option is to stop by the hotel often to rest, gain warmth and strength. Very close to the Royal Route is the Sofitel Warsaw Victoria, a fantastic five-star hotel where the majesty of a grand palace converges with delicate and modern interiors decorated by French designers. What sets it apart from the rest is its spa, which includes a large heated pool, sauna and rest areas with Balinese beds and designer furniture. The rooms are very spacious, with wonderful views of a square where the soldiers who fell in the Second World War are remembered and where an impressive military parade takes place every day at noon. Its generous and extensive breakfast buffet is a declaration of love for la dolce vita, which includes cava, pickled herring, smoked meats, top-quality cold cuts and a wide range of pastries.
The royal castle of Warsaw is another mandatory stop on a visit to the imperial city. Its dimensions impose on the newcomer. It is a baroque and neoclassical style palace, built under the reign of Sigismund III. Its exterior is made of brick, a construction element that thermally insulates from the powerful cold that lurks in the winter months. Its large rectangular patio stands out. The interior rooms are lavishly decorated, with chandeliers, sculptures and large paintings.
In front stands a gigantic column with the statue of King Sigismund III, one of the great national glories, much loved in the capital for having moved the capital of Poland from Krakow to Warsaw in 1596, a strategic change that It consolidated the importance of the city as the political and cultural epicenter of the country.
A pleasant surprise is the rich, varied and, above all, tasty, Polish gastronomy; It is the result of the historical mix of invasions and exchanges with other nations. You cannot visit Warsaw without trying two of the most emblematic dishes of Polish cuisine, such as pierogi, small dumplings filled with various ingredients, such as ground meat, cheese or pickled cabbage, or zapiekanka, a baguette gratin with mushrooms. Polish gastronomy is also known for its delicious meat, one of its emblematic dishes is roast suckling pig that immerses you in the authentic flavors of the region.
In the heart of the old town is the Market Square (Rynek Starego Miasta), famous for its colorful facades. In the middle of the square is The Mermaid of Warsaw, a symbol of the city since 1855. Legend has it that a mermaid swam to the banks of the Vistula River. A rich merchant captured her to profit from her singing, but a fisherman's son freed her and returned her to the river. She, grateful, promised to always protect the city; She is why she appears armed with a shield and a sword.
The Market Square is an architectural melting pot where different styles coexist. From Gothic to Renaissance, passing through Baroque, the buildings that surround the square form a unique visual spectacle. The colorful facades stand out, adding vitality to the space, creating an atmosphere that invites you to get lost in time.
One of the plaza's focal points is the Little Mermaid's House, an early Renaissance gem. Its picturesque façade and the statue of a mermaid adorning the corner capture the attention of visitors. This building, which has hosted various functions over the centuries, is a symbol of Warsaw's resistance and resilience.
On the other hand, the constant coming and going of tourists and locals, who during the Christmas period go to the mulled wine stands, to have a sausage, to do some last-minute shopping or to watch them ice skating in the fountain itself. of the little mermaid, an activity that would surely have been liked by the Polish monarchs.
