New Town

Even though it dates back to the late 14^th century, this area, which has existed for centuries outside Warsaw’s stone walls, is called New Town. Most of the buildings had to be reconstructed after World War II but there is a lot to see in this part of town. Freta Street is the main street in the New Town and connects the New Town to the Old Town.

The New Town Market Square used to contain a town hall but now the main attraction is St. Casimir’s Church. It was built in the 17^th century in the Baroque style. Most objects in this church are from the 20^th century but there are some from the 18^th century. Elsewhere in the New Town, The Church of the Holy Spirit is often the starting point for pilgrimages to Czestochowa and is also in the Baroque style. Opposite along Freta Street is Saint Jacek’s Church which contains a mixture of Renaissance and Baroque styles and served as an insurgent hospital during World War II. Another church worth checking out is the Gothic Church of the Visitation of Blessed Virgin Mary. It is one of the oldest buildings of Warsaw, located just off the New Town Square with a wonderful view of the district of Praga from the rear of this church.

 New Town, Warsaw

On Freta Street, there is also the Maria Skłodowska-Curie Museum housed in the 18^th century townhouse where she was born. Here you can see some of the Nobel Prize winner’s scientific tools, personal objects as well as other objects from her time. A visit to the New Town would not be complete without seeing some of the palaces built by Polish nobles. The 18^th century pink creamy, Neoclassical Sapieha Palace on Zakroczymska Street is another example of a building used as a hospital during the war. A plaque now hangs on the outer wall in remembrance of those who lost their lives during the war.

Dluga Streetis one of the oldest streets in Warsaw and was once an important market street and trade route leading to Sochaczew and Lowicz. This leads outwards from the New Town towards the wonderful Krasinski Square and Palace and the poignant Monument of the Warsaw Uprising.

For more info about Warsaw’s New Town click here.