Walk in Warsaw: Royal Route
Krakowskie Przedmieście, Warsaw / Shutterstock
Krakowskie Przedmieście Street
Next to Nowy Swiat (New World St) and Ujazdowskich Avenue, this is one of Warsaw's most impressive streets. There are souvenir shops, galleries and government buildings on both sides of the street. The name comes from the settlement around the now non-existent Cracow Gate, which was just outside the very centre of Warsaw in the 14th century. In 1454 the Franciscan Church was built here and the whole area became known as Franciscan Suburbs or Franciscan Square. The main road leading to the church, known as Krakowskie Przedmieście, soon became the most fashionable street in town. The most distinguished Warsaw families built their palaces and residences here, including the Czapskis, Potockis or the Wessels. The street staged the triumphal entries to the capital of dignitaries like Hetman (Commander-in-chief) Stefan Czarnecki or King Jan III Sobieski on his return from his victory in Vienna. During the partitions the most significant patriotic demonstrations took place here, the most important of which was the tragic demonstration on 27th February 1861, when 5 Polish citizens were killed by Russian bullets. Their funeral turned into one of the greatest patriotic demonstrations the city ever saw.
In 1907, before Poland gained independence, Krakowskie Przedmieście gained electric lighting. The first electric trams in the city also made their debut here. Unfortunately, the 2nd World War put an end to the street's good times, leaving it in a sorry state. The communist leaders of Poland turned the elegant road into a normal transportation thoroughfare. Krakowskie Przedmieście regained its luxurious character at the beginning of the 21st century. The rebuilding of the street took 2 years and was finished in 2007 and involved the narrowing of the carriage-way to build wide pavements, re-surfacing and changing some details of the street architecture. The re-surfacing work involved paving which was supposed to resemble the cobblestones in paintings by Canaletto. The yellow granite on the new surface of Krakowskie Przedmieście was imported all the way from China. The atmosphere is enhanced by stylish benches, street lights in the shape of Crosiers (Priests' shepherd staffs) and tasteful flowerbeds. Unfortunately, the street hasn't yet been fully adapted for use by the disabled and cyclists.