Nowy Świat

Nowy Świat Street (Polish New World) is one of the main historical streets of Warsaw. It comprises a part of the historical Royal Road that runs from the Old Town to the Wilanów royal residence.

Geography

It runs from the Trzech Krzyży Square to the south and runs northwards across Aleje Jerozolimskie and Świętokrzyska Street. Near the Warsaw University and Nicolaus Copernicus Monument it flows into Krakowskie Przedmieście Street that runs along the way towards the Royal Castle.

Main gate of the Warsaw University

History

Until 16th century Nowy Świat was a main road leading to numerous szlachta palaces and villages located south of Warsaw. In 17th century after the city started to grow significantly the present name was coined. By the beginning of the 18th century the fields along the Nowy Świat became densely urbanised, mostly with wooden palaces and manors. The street itself was paved with cobblestones and the gutters were constructed.

During the Nepoleonic period the city of Warsaw grew significantly and Nowy Świat was reconstructed almost completely. The wooden manors were replaced with stone and brick-built neoclassical city houses, mostly of three floors each. By the end of 19th century the houses were expanded and Nowy Świat became one of the principal trading streets of Warsaw. It was also one of the streets with most traffic as numerous shops and restaurants attracted both the Varsavians and tourists. New, bigger houses replaced the older ones and the street changed its character. In early 20th century almost all traces of the neoclassical architecture were lost as the new houses were erected mostly in art nouveau style.

Monument to Mikołaj Kopernik by Bertel Thorvaldsen

During the heavy fights of the Warsaw Uprising the street was destroyed almost completely. Barely any houses survived the war. After 1945 it was decided that Nowy Świat should be reconstructed. However, due to high cost of reconstruction of art nouveau architecture Nowy Świat was restored to its early 19th century shape.

External links:

• Nowy Świat in 19th century (http://www.studiop2.pl/sw/mapa/e_4.html)