#EXHIBIT
Castle for Contemporary Art
If Thursday proves to be rainy, why not head inside to see quality art for free? One of Warsaw’s best known public art galleries is located inside a castle perched on the city’s picturesque escarpment of Vistula river’s former riverbank. Head there for quality contemporary art (currently on show is art from Ukraine, Sharon Lockhart’s retrospective and a collection of art grouped under the title “Together/Apart” – more info in the Details link below). If quality art gets you hungry, grab some quality food at Quchnia Artystyczna (Artistic Quisine) restaurant overlooking the escarpment!
Where: Centrum Sztuki Współczesnej (the Center for Contemporary Art), ul. Jazdów 2
Map: click to open
When: 12-7PM Tuesday-Sunday, to 9PM on Fridays
How much: 12/6 PLN, free on Thursdays!
Details: click
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#FOOD
Did you already try W-Zka (wuzetka), Warsaw’s signature cake?
Like Vienna or New York, the city of Warsaw also has its own “official cake”. According to an urban legend, the W-Zka is supposed to honor the East-West (Wschód-Zachód, or W-Z) route which you now use to get from subway station Ratusz Arsenał to the Old Town (Stare Miasto). The fact is that wuzetka (voo-zet-kah) was invented at the time of construction of the W-Z Route. After World War II, Poland was a communist state. The new government, which by definition was against religion, aimed to create new, secular rituals that would counterbalance the existing Catholic traditions – so to have a cake to commemorate a road opening did not seem the least bit bizarre at the time! So what is Wuzetka? Andrzej Blikle, owner of the oldest patisserie in Warsaw, explains: It’s sponge-cake that has been seeped in chocolate, covered with chocolate icing with a layer of whipped cream inside. Be sure to try it yourself. Below is the address our favorite pastry shop (run by the daughter-in-law of Poland’s ice-cream tycoon) where they seem to be the biggest and tastiest. Smacznego!
Where: Cukiernia Marta Grycan (Marta Grycan’s Pastryshop), ul. Nowolipki 12
Map: click to open
When: daily, 10AM-7PM
How much: 5,50 PLN for a wuzetka
#MUSEUM
Łazienki – a museum that’s actually a park
You should not miss one of Warsaw’s greatest attractions: The Łazienki Royal Park and Residence. One of the biggest city parks in Europe hides a true pearl of Warsaw neo-classicism: the Palace on the Island, a former bathing pavillion redesigned as a summer residence of the last of Polish kings.See the neoclassical summer palace of the last king of Poland, visit his theatre in the Old Orangery and don’t forget to bring some nuts and seeds to feed the squirrels and the peacocks!
The entry to the Palace is free of charge on Thursdays!
Where: Łazienki Królewskie (Royal Baths)
Map: click to open
When: 9am – 8pm
How much: Palace – free on Thursdays (otherwise 6 / 10 zł). Park – always free of charge.
Details: click here
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#CONCERT
Dance the Polonez!
Marcin Masecki is a young pianist with an unconventional approach to classical music. His concerts are punk in spirit, proving that there are more ways to play the piano than you suspect. This time around, the pianist became a composer – his version of the famous Polonezes will be played by a 10-member brass orchestra. Masecki’s contemporary polonez is inspired by more modern sounds, such as surf rock, hip hop and jazz. Come make some noise to celebrate Masecki’s album release this Thursday!
Where: Cafe Kulturalna
Map: click to open
When: Thursday May 23, 10PM
How much: free admission
Details: click here (in Polish)
And don’t forget to come to our free, guided walking tour of Warsaw! Everyday! Click “Orange Umbrella Free Tour Warsaw” on the left for more details.
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