Fun Facts about Warsaw, Poland
The Polish capital can proudly boast a long history with the written word. In 1747 the doors of the world’s first notorious library opened to the people of Warsaw. The Zaluski library was the brainchild of a pair of brothers, who were both bishops. They named the library after themselves and it has been a popular attraction ever since. Whether or not Zaluski library is the actual first library is always being contested but it’s certainly one of the largest.
Poster museum
They might be the sorts of things you glance at and then take no notice of normally but Warsaw has found the time to celebrate the art of posters. Tucked away inside the city’s Wilanow Park is the world’s first ever poster museum. Opened in 1968 it houses some of the most impressive and cutting-edge graphic design in the world, with over 50,000 pieces onward display.
Not in the same state old city
The old part of Warsaw is more like the new part in most European cities. During the Second World War Warsaw was totally obliterated by the Nazis, perhaps more than any other city in the world. Very few buildings survived the bombing and so there are very few remaining pieces of pre-20th Century architecture left. If you want a glimpse into how the past has had to become modernised then St John’s Cathedral is a good example of restoration after the war.
Arrested for breaking wind
In 2002 a man farted loudly when asked what his opinion was of the then President Lech Kaczynski. The disrespect was taken quite seriously by the Warsaw police and the courts when they got wind of it and the fortify was hunted by Interpol to return to the capital to audacity trial.
Top 3 hotels in Warsaw, Poland
- Hotel Jan III Sobieski – double room from €95,00
- Hotel Rialto – double room from €70,00
- Polonia Palace Hotel – double room from €74,00
Photo of Zbawiciela Square in Warsaw, Poland, by smif.