Tuesday, 20th SeptemberA full day in Warsaw, a city of such contrasts. Parts are very ugly, parts are very beautiful. It is so difficult to comprehend that this city has been virtually reconstructed since Hitler ordered the complete destruction of Warsaw and only 85% remained in 1944. Like Berline, the old parts have been rebuilt exactly as they would have been, even down to the cobblestones!
We started the day with a visit to the statue of Chopin - we had a group photo taken here in this beautiful setting. Chopin didn't survive Hitler or Stalin either, and has been reconstructed as well in a very beautiful setting surrounded by red roses.
Next stop was at the memorial to the Jews of the Warsaw Ghetto - a very moving memorial with its photos and stories of the hundreds of thousands of Jews who were eliminated in one fell swoop by the Nazis and the ghetto completely demolished. Of the 8 million Jews who lived in Poland before the Second World War, only 10,000 now live in this country.
We actually had a couple of hours free time in the middle of the day for lunch in a lovely patisserie (Cat is starting to gain weight!), to do a bit of amber and souvenir shopping (no teatowels here, either)and a photo opportunity with the city's mermaid, before we were "treated" to a film on the destruction of Warsaw and subsequent rebuilding of the city. We are all absolutely amazed at what has been achieved, given that most of it happened under the rule of the USSR - and the disapproval!
We finished the afternoon with a tour of the Royal Palace, again another complete reconstruction. We were able to walk through all the state and private rooms and marvel at the beautiful gold decorations in the room. The people of Poland were very fortunate in that a number of the palace's treasures were smuggled out of the palace and hidden during the War.
On the walk back to the bus, Cat came across a couple of eyes which were promoting free eye tests for the citizens. This evening we are being treated to a Chopin concert before dinner.
2 comments:
I notice that Cat always travels with you so I am just wondering what is the story behind him?? Enjoying your blog as usual! Jeni.
Don't fret over the tea towel - the amber earrings will do instead.
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