The indefatigable and excellent Le Cedre chain aside (well, there’s two of them), Warsaw’s relationship with the cuisine of the Middle East has been calamitous. In fact, I’d call it catastrophic. Such is the crisis, a whole generation of locals have grown up thinking the Middle East survives on... Read more
A person I met here once accused Warsaw of not being a “real city” because it lacked a Prada store. Not being able to relate to the statement I laughed, replying only that I thought Warsaw wasn’t a real city because of the absence of a reputable magazine store. I... Read more
As part of our ongoing series concerning the future of Warsaw’s architecture, the Insider speaks to Magda Grabowska and Aleksandra Litorowicz from the staggering Futuwawa website – ‘an interactive exhibition space for urban projects related to Warsaw’. Describe modern day Warsaw… It is chaotic, but we find this arrangement... Read more
You know what, it’s going to be best if I pretend I’ve never heard of Chłodna 25: none of its history, none of its trials, none of its tribulations and absolutely nothing about its place in Warsaw folklore. So there you go, assume if you will, that I’m visiting... Read more
A city of bewildering, scrambled styles, Warsaw presents an eccentric ensemble of aesthetic contrasts. But that wasn’t supposed to happen. Warsaw, 2014: faced with a visitor from outer space, how would you describe the city’s architecture? Myself, it’s not a question I dwell on (if I saw an alien... Read more
The Insider speaks to Moncho Gonzalez Berenguer of NMH architektura + design, about his vision for Warsaw’s Plac Teatralny. Here’s what he had to say: “We like the Plac Teatralny area: the scale of the buildings, the location – this is a space with great potential, and a space... Read more
A Spanish/Polish design studio have made headlines after producing a series of best-selling paper cut-out models featuring iconic PRL-era structures. Based in Poznań, Zupa Grafika came up with the idea after being inspired by the capital’s communist carbuncles: “Some people are struck by sunrises, however, we appreciate the power... Read more
There was a time when Sienkiewicza felt like the center of the universe – all life, so it seemed, converged on this thin strip of land. But while streets like Mazowiecka have maintained their popularity, Sienkiewicza feels distinctly low on swagger – a place of shuttered, empty units, you... Read more
This March marks the 70th anniversary of one of the most celebrated prison breaks ever: The Great Escape. The Insider heads to the forests of Żagań to learn the story. (By Alex Webber | Photos Ed Wight) Of all of the crafty plans formulated by the Nazis, perhaps one... Read more
Starting a new Monday series focusing on the architects and designers shaping Warsaw’s future, the Insider speaks to Natalia Paszkowska of WWAA Warsaw. What is your opinion of Warsaw’s modern architecture, and where does it stand in comparison to other major international cities. That’s a tricky question because first... Read more
