New Town

Nowe Miasto, formerly known as Nowa Warszawa (New Warsaw), is a housing estate and area within the Śródmieście district of Warsaw. It was founded in the early 15th century as an independent town to accommodate the growing population of Old Warsaw. In 1408, the Masovian Duke Janusz I the Elder granted it town rights, enabling its administrative and legal development. New Town featured a market square, a town hall, and a parish church, though it lacked defensive walls. The town flourished, and its coat of arms depicted a woman with a unicorn. In 1527, Sigismund I the Old confirmed restrictions on Jewish settlement in both towns. Most of New Town's buildings were destroyed during the Swedish Deluge and World War II, with reconstruction completed in 1956. Notable architectural landmarks include the New Town Market Square and numerous churches, such as the Church of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Church of St. Casimir, as well as the Raczyński Palace and the Polonia Warsaw Stadium. Another point of interest is the 22-meter-long Samborska Street, considered the shortest street in Poland—an architectural curiosity. Historically, New Town had its own distinct cultural traditions, and its development was closely tied to the history of Warsaw as a whole. Today, it is an integral part of the capital, with a rich cultural heritage and preserved architectural elements that attract both tourists and residents.