Christmas in Warsaw is an incredible, unique and unforgettable extravaganza of music and light. During the Christmas holidays, the Big Illumination is lit up here - part of the "Fall in Love with Warsaw" campaign. Light lace envelops lanterns, trees, shop windows. Snowflakes, woven from rays of light, soar in the evening sky, shower the walls of houses, fall on tiled roofs and paving stones. Live music, joyful faces, expectation of something extraordinarily good will suddenly remind you that the son of God was born so that we could all be happy. And it is already impossible not to fall in love with Warsaw.
Old city
If you are lucky enough to find yourself in Warsaw these days, you should first of all go to the Old Town. It starts from Palace Square, surrounded by colorful houses and the Royal Castle along the east side. During the Christmas holidays, Poland's main Christmas tree flaunts here.
The heart of the city is the market square. In its center is a statue of the Warsaw Mermaid. The symbol of the city, a mermaid, holds a sword and a shield in her hands, her appearance is warlike and unshakable. She will emerge from the waters of the Vistula at the right time and defend Warsaw.
During the Christmas holidays, the market square is full of noise. Everything is sold here: jewelry, ceramics, wood, lace from the Guralian craftswomen.
Here you can warm yourself up with hot mulled wine, eat sugar glazed apples, taste urek - the national Polish soup, drink coffee with marzipan cake.
All shops and restaurants close early on Christmas Eve. The inhabitants of Warsaw begin to prepare for the holy supper.
When dusk falls to the ground and the first star shines in the sky, Poles gather at a festive table covered with a snow-white tablecloth - a sign of their purity of intentions. There must be a bunch of hay on the table, as a reminder of the nursery in which the newborn Christ was placed. A candle is lit, placed in front of each device, and one more, extra, for an unexpected guest. Gifts are hidden under the tree. Poles exchange gifts for Christmas, not New Year.
After 9 pm Christmas Mass begins in churches in Poland. Then - carols and a cheerful return home to the festive table.
What to see
Krakowskie Przedmiescie - Warsaw's promenade, the famous Royal Route, leads from the castle to the summer residence of kings in one of the most beautiful parks in Warsaw - Royal Lazienki. On this street is the Warsaw University and the Radziwills Palace with a monument to Jozef Poniatowski.
Also worth visiting in Warsaw:
- Marie Curie Museum
- Chopin Museum
- Catholic church of the Holy Cross, with a bronze statue of Christ. Chopin's heart rests in this cathedral.
And you should definitely see the Wilanow Palace, the object of national pride of Poles. At Christmas, festive illumination is lit here. And in the labyrinth of lights shining with different colors, you will want to get lost forever.
