Every November 11, local Poles gather in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Warsaw’s Piłsudski Square to honor Poland’s Independence Day. The ceremony itself is filled with somber commemorations and highly-structured military salutes—reminders of the country’s harsh history, and enduring spirit of resilience. Poland’s capital, Warsaw, is a reminder of this as well.
Along with hosting the country’s seat of government, Warsaw is Poland’s cosmopolitan business hub. Travelers seeking Old World quaintness should head for Kraków; but for today’s Poland, visit Warsaw. It’s a 21st-century city with a dark 20th-century story.
