The Nozyk Synagogue is the only synagogue in Warsaw that survived the war. It is located in an area of Warsaw that was originally inside the Little Ghetto in 1940, but was later outside the Ghetto after it was made smaller, following deportations.

Out of thousands of synagogues in Poland, there are only about 245 remaining. All of the unique wooden synagogues were destroyed, although some 17th century wooden Catholic churches remain to this day. The Nozyk synagogue was named for the man who founded it in 1900, Zalman ben Menasze Nozyk, and his wife Rywka bat Mosze (some guidebooks say it was founded in 1902).

Today services are held here every Friday night and every Saturday. Inside, you will see the interior of a moderately wealthy synagogue from turn-of-the-century Warsaw, with the cabinet containing the Torah scrolls and the bema (or pulpit) in the nave. The upper galleries are set aside for women.

6 Twarda St, Warschau 00-104, Polen
Tel.: 48-22-620 3496

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St. John’s Cathedral was originally built in the 14th Century and is Warsaw's oldest church.

The last King of Poland, Stanislaw August Poniatowski was both crowned and buried here and the crypt is also the resting place for a number of political and public figures.

The cathedral, like much of Warsaw's Old Town, was destroyed during the latter stages of the 2nd World War. It was rebuilt with a gothic facade and the interior contains some beautiful side chapels, memorials and intricately carved choir stalls, copies of the ones commisioned by Jan III Sobieski in the 17th Century.

On an outer wall is a track from the radio-contolled tank that took part in the destruction of the cathedral during the Warsaw uprising.

ul. Kanonia 2/Swietojanska 8

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The Saxon gardens were designed and laid out in the early 18th Century and were, originally, the private gardens for the royal residence of Morsztyn Palace. In 1727 they became a public park and in the middle of the 19th Century were re-designed.

At the Eastern end of the park is Pilsudaki Square and the Tomb of the Unknown Solider. Inside the park are a Fountain and Watertower – designed by the architect Henryk Marconi – some pieces of 18th Century statuary and an ornamental lake.

To the west of Krakowskie Przedmiescie and the east of Marszalkowska.

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The National Museum in Warsaw is based in an imposing Modernist building and includes an impressive selection of Medieval Arts, pre and post 20th Century Polish Arts and works by foreign painters.

The collection includes works in various different styles - including Romantic, Impressionist and Symbolist - that became popular during the 19th century. The historical works by Jan Metejko including the wonderful, melancholic portrait “Stanczyk” – the Jester painted in 1862 were very striking.

The Medieval Art Galleries contain some extremely impressive and exquisitely carved alter pieces, statues and pieta many from Polish churches which are no longer in existence. The scale, detail and colour in the woodcarving and painted decoration is quite extraordinary. As are the pietas and scenes of the crucifixion, which are quite disturbing in their portrayal of suffering.

Most exhibits are labelled in both Polish and English and some paintings have two or three line explanations of the subject matter.

My one – minor – criticism is that the map/guide we were given was rather confusing and it was hard to find our way around the galleries. However, I think a fuller guide may be available for purchase.

All in all the museum offers an interesting and extensive collection of paintings, sculpture and decorative arts that embraces various styles and trends.

Aleje Jerozolimskie 3
www.mnw.art.pl

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