Centuries of history, waiting to be rediscovered...
A cloudy, brisk October morning greets the capital city of Poland. Merchants make preparations to greet their patrons, restaurants work to satisfy the demand of zurek, flaki, and bigos, and tourists flock to the streets to experience the "indestructible city" for themselves.
Hidden away on a concealed back alley, a weathered but determined artisan works calmly and precisely on a particularly elegant piece of baltic amber. The work looks effortless - something that naturally manifests after decades of careful work.
The artisan polishes the semi-precious gemstone, secures the piece with meticulously crafted sterling silver, and inspects his work.
Satisfied, he places the one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry in a little white box to be shipped. This particular piece, we are told, was specifically requested by a wealthy foreigner - no other information was offered.
Not the original piece, but a similar example.
The Warsaw Connection: ITA's man on the ground in Poland
"Old Town is closed to traffic, so you park or take the subway and then walk from there. It was first built in medieval times, so cobblestone roads and bridges take you across the moat and into the square. You can still see parts of the old walls that protected the area...
"The first thing that hits you is the smell -- in the best way possible. There's a ton of restaurants in the area, mostly traditional Polish types. You can smell the hunter's stew, baked bread, perrogies, and other things that they make fresh -- It's wonderful...
"All the buildings are required to keep the original designs, so it feels like you've traveled back centuries to be there. Shops line the road, restaurants have outdoor seating, and a few old churches hold services every day.
"In the square, there are always entertainers -- usually dressed straight from the 1900's and singing, playing instruments, and bringing the area alive. A few painters sell their work for cheap in the square. Apparently, several famous artists began their careers by doing this. It is a cultural and historical center for Poland -- a place that has thrived since its near destruction in WW2."
A Little Bit of History
It would take a library of information to cover the history of Old Town. There are countless videos, articles, books, interviews, blog posts, pictures, and detailed descriptions regarding this section of the city alone.
The city has been around for centuries now, dating back all the way to 1200's and the Dukes of Mazovia. One of the most interesting and relevant pieces of history - especially due to the videos that have been recovered - is the extensive bombing that took place by the German Luftwaffe. The city was devastated, but still stood.
Following the war, a meticulous and intensive restoration effort was commissioned. Workers were directed to rebuild Old Town with as many of the original pieces as possible, to the original specifications. Despite this, certain aspects of the square were lost forever during the fight.
If you're interested in diving deeper into the history of Old Town, we've found the following links to be especially helpful:
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Best,
Joe
