WARSAW, POLAND

Warsaw, the capital of Poland, is a political, cultural, transportation, and industrial centre, and is one of the Europe’s great historic cities. It was the site of the second international Peace Messenger Cities Assembly in 1989. Settlements existed on the site of Warsaw from 11^th century, but the city probably grew around castle built in the 13^th century by a duke of Masovia. In 1413, Warsaw became the capital of the duchy of Masovia, which was incorporated with Great Poland in 1526; the city was made the capital of Poland in 1596. Warsaw was the principal centre of unsuccessful Polish uprising against Russian domination in 1830 and1863; German forces took the city in 1915, during World War I. It was liberated by Polish troops and proclaimed capital of the restored Polish state in 1918. During World War II, the city was occupied (1939 – 45) by German troops and subjected to systematic destruction. From August to October 1944, the Polish nationalist underground and German troops battled for Warsaw; following their victory, the Germans deliberately demolished the city. A post-war decision to retain Warsaw as the national capital resulted in a large- scale reconstruction. Among Warsaw’s most notable buildings are the Holy Cross Church, the 15^th century St. Carmelite Church, several fine palaces, and the monuments to Copernicus and Adam Mickiewicz. Warsaw has many educational and cultural institutions, including the University of Warszawa and the Polish Academy of Sciences.