Illumination of the Royal Route in Warsaw (2019) - the Festival of Light

We had several times the chance to admire the illumination of various parts of the Royal Route in Warsaw. In 2014 we have been to Wilanów. Since five years have passed, I think it is time to go there again. 

As always, the first thing we can spot are the decorations on the city lanterns.

They look like large snowflakes.

As we approach the royal palace of Wilanów, you can immediately spot a tunnel guiding us in the right direction.

A tunnel of light of course.

The main gate features the colours of the Polish flag.

Inside, it is really crowded despite the snow.

Why don't we sneak out to the gardens.

Those torches seem to be really burning.

All the pieces of small architecture have been used as a pretext to put more light into the garden. Like this small fountain.

In the back of the palace you will find Janina, the coat of arms of king Jan Sobieski, the founder of Wilanów.

On the main terrace you will find a field of apple trees.

Very enchanting apple trees.

Below the terace, you will find even more lights, with yet another enchanted fountain.

The garden around it is calm and partly dark ...

... until it is not.

But the most amazing thing about it is that it dances in between.

Even the smallest fountains seem to be alive, despite negative temperature.

I find it really smart.

Before you run for a cup of hot chocolate to warm you up, I propose that we take just a few steps and go to the other side of the street,  next to the District Council Hall. First, we need to pass through a giant gingerbread. Both scary and mouth-watering, isn't it?

Then we can gallop together with a Horse of Light.

And remember all those that we love.

Feels like walking in a Winter Wonderland!

Illumination of the Royal Route in Warsaw (2017)

Last year I missed to take you to our traditional walk along the Royal Route in Warsaw. This year we will be making up for it and strolling along the nicely illuminated streets once again. Let's get out on the Świętokrzyska metro station.

On the left hand side you can see the Nowy Świat street with some garlands on top and a type of Christmas tree bulb on the lamps.

But we will go this time to the right, to the Krakowskie Przedmieście street.

Here, the lanterns are decorated into something I do not really understand. Any ideas what this shape is supposed to symbolise?

First, next to the monument of Copernicus and the Polish Academy of Science, you will see the solar system.

A few steps further, you can try to imagine yourself entering the gates of the Warsaw University, allegedly the best in the country.

As we move on, we pass besides a very special book, exhibiting the highlights of Warsaw.

Look, this is a Chopin bench, like the one we have seen in Łazienki.

And here comes the Presidential Palace, with the Christmas tree lit up in the colours of the Polish flag.

Finally, we arrive to the heart of the Old Town.

This is also a station for a very special train.

That transport a very special cargo.

Finally, we enter the Castle Square. The streets around it are nicely decorated.

But it is the Castle itself that is the most impressive this year.

The Christmas tree is so tall. Looks like a good omen for the upcoming year.

Happy New Year everyone!

Ujazdowski Park

I hope that you have enjoyed our visit in the botanic garden last week. Since we are already on Aleje Ujazdowskie, I though we could go a bit further to the North and see the Ujazdowski Park.

As you probably rememeber, Aleje Ujazdowskie are a part of the Royal Route of Warsaw. In winter it is beautifully illuminated. In summer time it is embellished with flowers.

Between the park and the garden runs a street that connects the left and the right bank of the Vistula river.

This bike station is in fact a rental point of city bikes called Veturilo. If you want to move around the city center of Warsaw without worrying about traffic jams and parking places this is definitely the best solution.

Let's have a look at a plan. It seems that the park is half blue (so covered with water) and half green.

We should be somewhere close to one of the biggest attractions - the little waterfall.

Indeed, it is really small.

Then comes the lake. It was designed by Wiliam Lindley. Rick has shown you some time ago his monument next to the Dancing Fountains.

The best view is from the little bridge in the back.

 

The second part of the park is mainly covered with lawns and flowers.

There are parts were roses are grown almost "wild" ...

... and others where the flowers are well disciplined into "carpets".

The most important monument is dedicated to Ignacy Jan Paderewski. He was one of the most prominent Polish pianists and composers. He was also the Prime Minister of Poland in 1919, at the dawn of its independence.

Next to the park you can find a little pecularity. These are the so-called Finnish houses, built in 1945 to accomade those who came to help rebuilding Warsaw after the nazis turned it into ruins. The houses really came from Finland, as part of war reparations to USSR.

I hope that you have enjoyed this little walk. Next week Rick will be back to take you to some new adventures. For the rest of the afternoon I plan to take another ray of light on one of these nice benches.

Illumination of the Royal Route in Warsaw (2014) - the Labyrinth of Light

It is becoming now a little tradition that each year I am showing you the Illumination of the Royal Route in Warsaw. In 2012 I have shown you the central part, next to Łazienki. In 2013 we have seen the Northern end next to the Old Town. This time I will take you to the Southern end of the Royal Route next to the Wilanów park and palace.

The lights started already next to the St Anna church.

This path invites us to the palace and the gardens.

Deeper in the back you can already spot the palace itself. I must say at night it is a bit scary. Do you think they have ghosts there?

The gardens are ruled this year by the Labyrinth of Light. First comes a violet field. Unfortunately you cannot see it on pictures alone but this part of the garden is where the illumination is "dancing" to the sounds of classical music.

These bigger structures look just like water lillies, don't they?

Here comes the entry to the labirynth. Luckily they have left the keys next to the keywhole.

The main theme of the labirynth are the adventures of Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll. So obviously we will see the giant teacups ...

... and a surprise present.

Then come the playing accesories. First the cards ...

... then the billiard ball ....

... and finally the chess figures.

Obviously we could not miss the giantic mushrooms.

Actually there is more than one type of them here.

And finally, last but not least, the most important guest in the labirynth. The rabbit in the magician's hat!

I wonder what they will invent next year to illuminate the Royal Route and outpass this one.