It was but a short period of snow in Warsaw this year, yet it was  still so very beautiful…. and most enjoyable for two Aussies so far from home.

We saw yet another face of Warsaw, a city we have come to love and feel so very much at home in. We did not have the white Christmas we had hoped for, but the snow in January was pretty good none the less.

These pictures are taken in and around Warsaw and Praga in mid to late January.  We often  visit the beautiful parks and palaces around us when walking in this lovely city that is so full of character and charm. Once again we were not disappointed, the snow showing yet another face to this special and vibrant city.

Praga sits on the opposite bank of the Vistula river to Warsaw’s Old Town and New Town.  So why the two names? Together they ARE Warsaw….. the Old Town (Stare Miasto) and New Town (Nowe Miasto)?  What IS the difference?

The Old Town is the historic centre, the oldest part of the city of Warsaw.  It was founded in the 13th century as the Prince’s castle and is surrounded by walls (the Barbican). 90% of the Old Town was flattened / destroyed during WWII, so what we see today is the amazing resurrection of Warsaw’s Old Town. It is thanks to the many generous donations and committed people who were determined to bring Warsaw back to life and it’s former glory, that this city is here for us to enjoy today. Many historical photos  and documents were used as references during the rebuild to provide accuracy. So good was the reconstruction that it achieved UNESCO listing.

It is simply amazing to look at these buildings that look to all intents and purposes to be hundreds of years old, when in fact they are well less than that, closer to 70 years.

The New Town, is just so much younger, having been founded between the end of the 14th century and on into the 18th century!  Yep, it definitely deserves the title of New Town! It was built outside the Old Town walls and functioned as a separate city with it’s own administration. Like the Old Town it was also significantly damaged in WWII, during the Warsaw Uprising of 1944. It too has been so beautifully and lovingly rebuilt from photos and other documents, to resemble its former glory.

The beautiful and charismatic  Praga, was relatively untouched during WWII, yet many of the old buildings still bear the wounds of that time.  Some are being restored, yet  many are not….. and some just sit empty, waiting to be loved again.  Praga is known  as the arty district of Warsaw and the term ‘shabby chique’ seems to suit it quite well.

Hope you enjoy these pics.. there are ‘just a couple’……

The Vistula river, reflecting the blue, blue sky, is beginning to ice over
Blue skies and some snow from our 10th floor apartment building
This is just like something from a Christmas card for us! Just outside out apartment front door
Skating on the Vistula river. It looks so exhilarating!
We are just loving this whole experience!
For the engineers – a more modern bridge across the Vistula
The Vistula river is all ice and snow as it looks to the Old Town
The snow has come at last!
Footprints in the fresh snow on the iced over Vistula river
Span enjoying the snow and ice on the banks of the Vistula river – Praga side
Just outside the walls of the Old Town. New Town on the left
Our street in night light after a fresh snow fall
Looking across the Vistula river
So many beautiful fur coats came out with the snow
Kosciuszko Monument near the Hala Mirowska market place
Old Town from the banks of the Vistula river
Living the dream.. having an ice-cream while it is snowing flat out!
Walking on the Vistula river – see the toboggan tracks
A quiet stroll across one of the many bridges over the Vistula river
Ice fishermen
A surreal feeling to be standing on this ice and watching the fast water flowing beneath
Praga – Shabby Chique
Praga – workman have a warming fire
On the Praga side of the Vistula river bank
The Palace of Culture and Science (AKA the Russian building) makes a great backdrop to the underground entrance
Keeping the paths clear for pedestrians
The lake is iced over – these duckies must have cold feet!
Street lights at Christmas near Łazienki Park in Warsaw
Picturesque view from Praga river bank to Old Town
Yeah.. the Alkohole shop stays open when it’s snowing.. just 29 steps from our back door!
Looking down over the icey lake to the Palace on the Isle in Łazienki Park
Hala Mirowska market street traders still come even in the snow
Imitating the Christmas decorations in Łazienki Park
The Chinese Garden in Lazienki Park looks so different in the snow
Span just loving the snow
Looking down the frozen lake to the Palace on the Isle in Lazienki Park
Makes us feel a bit soft that our bike is garaged up for the winter!
Just a lovely snow scene in Lazienki Park
What a perfect stage for special wedding pics
Lazienki Park walkway covered in snow
The Palace on the Isle – a lovely setting in the snow for wedding pics
It’s snowing flat out in Łazienki Park
The Chinese ducks do not look real – their colours so bright and markings so perfect. They make a lovely against the white snow
Lovely colour contrasts – looking towards the Palace on the Isle in Łazienki
Looking down the frozen lake with only small pools of water for the birds
Small amphitheatre near the Palace on the Isle in Łazienki park- this structure was funded by the EU
No squirrels around today in Łazienki Park
Loving the snow – in front of the Place on the Isle in Lazienki Park
The Chinese Garden in Łazienki Park
Taking 5 on one of the many benches in front of the Chopin monument in Lazienki Park
Our local underground train station- Racławicka
Krasiński Palace from inside the Krasiński Park – so beautiful!
A small area of water thanks to the small fountain that keeps the water moving in the pond in Krasiński Park
A cute sense of humour .. snow art!
Mum still brings the baby out for a walk in the snow and to see the ducks in Krasiński Park
Just walking in the Krasiński park near Old Town. the red coat a great contrast to the snow
Krasiński Palace and bright coloured winged horses are opposite the somber Uprising monument in Old Town
Old Town square – the trampled snow is no longer white
Two dandies together in Łazienki Park
Trampled pathway down our street
Front door to our apartment block
A nice angle of the Chinese garden in Łazienki Park
Our local bread shop
Police on Partol in Old Town Square
People enjoying a ‘cool’ walk along the Vistula river
A beautiful day, blue skies and lots of snow from our apartment window – loving it!
Hundreds of seagulls on the ice
Snow does not stop the trams!
Iced over Vistula river stretches a long, long way
A pretty view from our apartment as night falls
It’s a cold climate to be a lost doggie!
Ice fishing on the Vistula river
Our street….. Crikey we are soft, our bike is garaged, but this bloke is on his bike in the snow!
Christmas decorations inside Łazienki Park
Now that’s a LOT of ice and snow on the Vistula river
Spreading grit (sand and salt) so people can pass safely. Just when they thought they were done with Autumn leaves… down comes the snow!
Many, many bridges across the Vistula river
Barges becoming iced in on the Vistula river
For the train enthusiasts!
Preschool play ground – The snow looks like flowers on the dormant bushes
The lake in front of the Palace on the Isle all iced over
A more modern bridge across the Vistula river
Someone has a cute sense of humour with this artwork
Perfect location for a photo shoot
A lovely fur to go shopping at Hala Mirowska market place
Now that’s a BIG ICE BLOCK… Martini anyone??
The bank of the Vistula river on Praga side with light snow
These kids had the police looking for them – see their tracks on the iced over Vistula river
Birds in flight
One of many bridges that cross the Vistula river
A young family exploring the iced up Vistua river
A great angle – looking across the Vistula river to that stadium
A lovely pic looking down the Vistula river
The Palace of Culture and Science in Warsaw
Vistula river – amazing that the water still flows so fast under the ice
These duckies MUST have cold tootsies! – Krasiński Park
A woman’s work is never done!
Christmas decorations in Łazienki Park
Ice fishing on the Vistula river
View from our 10th floor apartment
The Vistula river all iced up and the beach covered with snow
Children’s playground in Praga
Vew across the Vistula river to Old Town as the ice forms
Police looking for kids walking over the iced up Vistula river – love the colour contrast
We are just loving the snow. – small stream near Chinese garden in Łazienki park
View of Warsaw stadium and the Vistila river with the beginnings of pancake ice
Lamp near the Chinese garden in Łazienki
Look at meeee.. I’m standing on water !!!!
Christmas deco\orations in Łazienki park
Our street in Old Mokotow
Łazienki park entrance with some christmas lights still shining
A lovely view of the Palace on the isle – lake is completely iced over
A lovely older gentleman ensuring the ducks do not go hungry in the cold
The Palace on the isle – water iced over
Inside Łazienki Park, just near the Palace on the Isle
All rugged up on a freezing day of minus 14
Just love park bench in Łazienki Park, near Chopin monument
Only a little water not iced over thanks to the small fountain that keeps the water moving
Front of our apartment building in Old Mokotow
Mother Nature shows us how to make lace..
Children’s playground near our flat in Old Mokotow, very colourful
Park near Old Town -warsaw
Lots of ice fishing holes on the Vistula river – These beers would be lovely and cold!
View of military church with Uprising monument in fore ground
Many trees in the parks have new bird and squirrel boxes for the cold weather
Warsaw Old Town wall or Stare Miesto Barbican wall
Not a grave yard, but pruned trees covered for winter – opposite the Royal Castle in Old Town
A natural Christmas tree
Park benches in Lazienki Park
An oldie covered in snow. This car has not moved in all the months we have been here!
Just married – and a lovely fur wrap
A little snow can’s\t stop this gal shopping for Polish gold (Amber)!
Just outside our apartment front door – see frozen water from the drain pipe
Ooh.. Ooh.. that’s cold under my feet !!! Peacocks of the Palace on the Isle in Łazienki Park
No one using the benches near Krasiński Palace today – very pretty none the less
Daytime on the road leading to Łazienki Park
Just like a Christmas card – Chinese garden in Łazienki Park
Frozen solid – Lake in front of the Palace on the Isle in Łazienki Park
Night lights on the road leading to Łazienki Park

And a couple of videos…