Lonely Planet Experiences - Warsaw’s Wild Side

Informazioni generali

Destinazione
Varsavia, Polonia

Il programma nel dettaglio

Praga is a district with a unique, wild spirit. Once multicultural, with Polish, Jewish, and Russian citizens living together, it managed to survive WWII but was then left neglected for years.  The neighbourhood has since been rediscovered by artists, and now Praga is a district of alternative clubs, street art projects, little cafés run by people with passion, and old citizens who still meet in the courtyards of their tenement houses. During this Warsaw tour, you’ll see how history is coexisting with modern life in Praga, and how old habits are helping to retain the spirit of the neighbourhood. Once you find yourself in the meeting point you will sense the sweet, inviting aroma. That is because we start our tour in front of the oldest chocolate factory in Poland. Ideal souvenirs for your loved ones can be found right here! We’ll stop for a cup of hot, dense chocolate to keep our energy levels up for the day ahead. Walking into the most historical parts of the district, you’ll spot little pieces of art: murals, statues, and even art projects done by children from the neighbourhood. Praga has become a place where artists can find their own space to create — and on this Warsaw tour, we’ll tell you the stories of a few of them. As we explore, you’ll see remnants of the past, and the multicultural character of the Praga district: the Polish-Russian spirit distilling factory, former Jewish bath house and their hall of residence, and the domes of the Orthodox church next to the pinnacles of the Catholic cathedral. We’ll also travel in time: from the oldest tenement houses on Zabkowska Street that retain their 19th-century charm, through to the longest block of flats in Warsaw featuring typical architecture from the communist period, to the post-industrial buildings that have been converted into uptown lofts and new investments around Port Praski. We’ll stroll down Zabkowska Street, the main artery of old Praga, with houses that date back 150 years. This street is unique in Warsaw, as most of the historical architecture on the left riverbank was destroyed by the Nazis after the Warsaw Uprising. But here in Praga, the authentic spirit of pre-war life can still be seen. It’s an area that’s full of neighbourhood stories, tastes of the old days, and preserved backyards of tenement houses — which have become a real treasure of Praga. Decades ago, each of them — with their own gardens, little chapels, and benches all around — had buzzing life inside. Few still remain as they originally did, but we’re going to explore the most interesting ones.



From time to time we will stop to grab some tasty local specialities. You’ll learn why some treats are served in jars, and you’ll have a chance to try traditional Polish tatar, as well as pyzy and flaki. We’ll wash it down with a sip of Polish vodka or Oranzada, a sweet drink beloved by children from the ‘80s. One very important part of Praga’s past was the bazaars. There are plenty of stories about the times when you couldn’t find anything in the shops in Poland — but you could find everything in Rozyckiego Market. While sniffing around for “illegal meat” you could hear about what was going on in the world beyond, and, tired after hunting, you could then have your jar filled with hot flaki. As you ate, you could enjoy the sounds of Praga’s folk bands — or sing along with them. We’ll pass by Rozyckiego Market and the monument to Praga’s folk bands, and you’ll learn about this part of Praga’s soul. We’ll finish our walk in a great panoramic spot of Warsaw Old Town. From here you can, by foot, head back to the city centre or enjoy the nightlife on the riverbank.