What is the Capital of Poland?

Poland is a country in Central Europe. It’s official name is the Republic of Poland. Poland is one of the biggest countries in the European Union. In the article, we will learn about what is the capital of Poland, its former capitals, and much more.

Capital of Poland

Warsaw is the capital city of Poland. About 1.86 million people live in the city, and over 3.27 million people live in the larger area around it. That makes it the 7th most crowded city in the European Union. It is the largest city in the country, both in terms of population and area.

Warsaw is a lively hub of Polish culture. It houses numerous museums, like the Warsaw Uprising Museum and the National Museum, where you can learn about the country’s history and art. There are also plenty of theaters and music venues for entertainment. As the capital, Warsaw is where the Polish government works. The Parliament and the Presidential Palace are here. It is also a major economic hub, especially for finance, tech, and other services.

Where is Warsaw?

Warsaw, also spelled “Warszawa” in Polish, is in the central-eastern part of the country and situated on the Vistula River. It’s about 260 kilometers from the Baltic Sea to the north and 300 kilometers from the Carpathian Mountains to the south. It is also 523 kilometers east of Berlin, Germany. It is situated in the heart of Masovian Plane, a glacier-formed basin with an average elevation of 100 meters above sea level. Geographically, the city’s coordinates are approximately 52.2297° N latitude and 21.0122° E longitude.

Interesting Facts

• In Warsaw, there are lots of colorful paintings on walls called murals. They show different things like history or what people think about society. You can find them everywhere in the city, making the streets and neighborhoods more interesting.
• In Warsaw, there’s a museum all about Polish vodka. You can go there to find out about how vodka is made in Poland.
• Underneath the streets of Warsaw, there’s a secret path called the Warsaw Underground.
• The Warsaw Barbican is an old castle that used to protect the city. It’s one of the only ones left in Europe. You can find it close to the Old Town, and it shows what Warsaw was like a long time ago when it needed to be defended.
• In Warsaw, there’s a special museum all about neon signs. You can see old neon signs from the past in the city. They keep these colorful signs to remember Warsaw’s history and city life.
• The symbol of Warsaw is a mermaid holding a sword and shield. Legend says she keeps the city safe and looks after its people. You can see statues of her all over Warsaw.
• In the 1980s, Warsaw was important in Poland’s fight for freedom and fairness, especially during the Solidarity movement. Because of this movement, communism ended in Poland and nearby places.

Former Capitals of Poland

Poland has a rich history with several cities serving as its capital throughout the centuries. Here are some of the notable former capitals:

• Gniezno and Poznań (10th century – 1038)

  These two cities were the early capitals of Poland in the 10th century.

• Kraków (1038 – 1795 with interruptions)

  Kraków served as the capital for a significant period, from the 11th century until the partitions of Poland in the late 18th century.

• Płock (1079 – 1138)

  Płock served as a capital for a shorter period in the 11th and 12th centuries.

Related Links

• What was the Warsaw Pact?
• Warsaw Metro Map
• Key Facts of Poland