Warsaw’s magnificent Old Town has a turbulent and colourful history. Its beautiful buildings and atmospheric lanes were nearly lost forever when the city was reduced to rubble during World War II. On this walking tour I’ll bring the past back to life, much like the area’s inhabitants did as, piece by piece and stone by stone, they combed through the rubble to salvage what they could so Poland could miraculously replicate the Old Town using old photographs, original building plans, and even paintings of Warsaw street scenes by the famous Italian artist, Canaletto.

Our tour begins in the often-lively Castle Square, in front of its imposing Royal Castle. From there, I’ll show you some of the Old Town fortifications.

I’ll show you statues of Jan Kiliński, a shoemaker who opposed the Russian invasion in the second half of the 1700s.

You'll see Mały Powstaniec (the Little Insurgent), which honours child soldiers who resisted Nazi occupation

The tour passes by Rynek Starego Miasta. You'll hear about it while you walk.

The tour passes by the church of jesuits. You'll hear about it while you walk.

The tour passes by St John's Archcathedral. You'll hear about it while you walk.

Stroll past St Martin’s Church, where a hunger strike against Communist oppression inspired Lech Wałęsa to form the Polish Solidarity Trade Union movement.

The tour passes through Castle Square. Along the way, you'll hear about the history that has taken place there.

The tour ends in Dzwon na Kanonii. On this 75-minute stroll, I’ll share the dramatic tale of how the Old Town has repeatedly flourished and fallen as it encountered dukes, kings, warriors, Nazis and Communists in its long history. It has always fought back and today stands more beautiful than ever, a time capsule filled with history, legends and inspiring artefacts.