Wednesday, 10 April 2013

Warsaw's Meridian

A curiosity is to be found at Teatralny Square: here is a symbol of the meridian of 21°00'in a Eastern longitude running through Warsaw. Whis designated line connects the clock tower on Jabłonowski Palace to the huge pilar standing in the parking lot in front of the National Opera. Altough it is surrounded by an intricate metal fence, you need to truly keep an eye out for it, as it is often obscured by parked cars. 
Since Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) is fixed relative to the zero meridian passing through Greenwich, local time is then determined in each country's capital. The time deifference, for example, between Warsaw and Paris is therefore one hour and fourteen minutes.
Teatralny Square takes its name from the monumental Grand Theatre (Teatr Wielki), which houses both the National Opera and the National Theatre.
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Monday, 8 April 2013

The Presidential Palace

Bult in the 17th c., it was uesd for various public purposes. In 1989 it hosted the Round Table talks that started the  systematic transition in Poland. Since 1994 the Palace has been the headquarters of the President of the  Republic of Poland, its residents being successively: Lech Wałęsa, Aleksander Kwaśniewskie, Lech Kaczyński, and at present - Bronisław Komorowski.
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Saturday, 6 April 2013

The Thirtieth Floor

XXX Palace of Culture and Science Viewing terrace 'The Thirtieth Floor' is on the 30th floor, at a height of 114m, which is reached by modern elevator. From here, you can admire a truly panoramic view of Warsaw, even at night.
Details: www.pkin.pl
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Belfry at St. Ann's Church

To get to the lookout terrace, you have to climb up 150 stone steps. But when you eventually reach your destination, you eill enjoy a spectacular view of the Old Town. Details: www.taraswidokowy.pl
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Warsaw Photoplasticon

Built  at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, a Fotoplastikon was a popular device that allowed viewers to watch changing three-dimensional images. The Warsaw Fotoplastikon is unique becuase  it is one of the very few in the world adn is located in thr oryginal hitosrical building.
It boasts a collection of more than 5,000 old photos from various corners of the globe, induding a number of photos from the pre-war Warsaw, which actually ceased to exist in 1944.
Warsaw residents consider the Fotoplastikon to be a very magical place. Durimg the Nazi occupation of World War II, it served an additional role as a clandestine meeting and contact point. After the war, when over 80% of the capital lay in smoldring riuns, it fueled hopes for the city's reconstrictions, by highligting and showing colour photographs of pre-war Warsaw.
During the 1950s and '60s, sweethearts often went here on dates, and the room resounded with Polish jazz, which was banned at the time.
Today, when visitors enjoy original black-adn-white slides of pre-war Warsaw, they do so whilst listening to contemporary show-tunes, played on a phonograph.
In 2008, the Fotoplastikon was placced under the auspices of the Warsaw Rising Museum.

A few years ago, in a poll conducted among Varsowians, it was found to be the capital city's magical place.
Warsaw Photoplasticon - Official side
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En Espanol

University Library

University Library (in Warsaw called BUW) - an interesting example of contemporary architecture in Warsaw. The basement is home to the 'Hulakula' Family Entertainment Center (offering blillards, bowling adn climbing wall facilities), while the roof of the building features one of Europes's most beatiful and largest roof gardens. From up there visitors can anjoy a spectacular view of the Vistula river and the National Stadium and through spacially constructed windows they can have a look at the library interior. In Wednesdays in Hulakula are latino fiestas, you can dance salsa, bachata, merengue:) Po polsku In Spanish