Warsaw (pl. Warszawa) the capital of Poland is populated by over 1,7 mln people. The biggest city of Poland, located in east-central part of the country on a Vistula River. After the German Invasion of Poland on 1st September 1939 began the Second World War, Warsaw was defended till September 27. Central Poland, including Warsaw, came under the rule of the General Government, a German Nazi colonial administration. All higher education institutions were immediately closed and Warsaw’s entire Jewish population – several hundred thousand, some 30% of the city – herded into the Warsaw Ghetto. The city would become the centre of urban resistance to Nazi rule in occupied Europe. When the order came to annihilate the ghetto as part of Hitler’s “Final Solution” on 19th April 1943, Jewish fighters launched the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising. Despite being heavily outgunned and outnumbered, the Ghetto held out for almost a month. When the fighting ended, almost all survivors were massacred, with only a few managing to escape or hide…
By July 1944, the Red Army was deep into Polish territory and pursuing the Germans toward Warsaw. Knowing that Stalin was hostile to the idea of an independent Poland, the Polish government-in-exile in London gave orders to the underground Home Army (AK) to try to seize control of Warsaw from the Germans before the Red Army arrived. Thus, on 1st August 1944, as the Red Army was nearing the city, the Warsaw Uprising began. The armed struggle, planned to last 48 hours, was partially successful, however it went on for 63 days. Eventually the Home Army fighters and civilians assisting them were forced to capitulate. They were transported to PoW camps in Germany, while the entire civilian population was expelled. Polish civilian deaths are estimated at between 150,000 and 200,000.
After the war, under a Communist regime set up by the conquering Soviets, the “Bricks for Warsaw” campaign was initiated, and large prefabricated housing projects were erected in Warsaw to address the housing shortage, along with other typical buildings of an Eastern Bloc city, such as the Palace of Culture and Science, a gift from the Soviet Union. The city resumed its role as the capital of Poland and the country’s centre of political and economic life. Many of the historic streets, buildings, and churches were restored to their original form. In 1980, Warsaw’s historic Old Town was inscribed onto UNESCO’s World Heritage list.
Advised time to visit
We recommend pick-up time as early as 07.00 or 08.00. The distance form Cracow is 280 km. and the drive takes about 3 hours.
Included in the price
- Pick up at the location of your choice
- Travel convenience and security
- Tour transportation in both directions
- Individual rides (the whole vehicle is at your disposal)
- All transport costs included (fuel, parking fees, etc.)
- We’re always ready to help you in a need!
Not included in the price
- Entrance fees and guides
- Food and drinks during the tour