Metro Rondo ONZ
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Rondo ONZ (UN Roundabout)
With Rondo ONZ, we are still in the city centre, just a few arm’s lengths from the Palace of Culture, and in fact, many of the places described under Centrum or Świętokrzyska are just as close to Rondo ONZ. Rondo ONZ is right in the centre of Warsaw’s business life, which is evident from the skyscrapers and the active and elegant Jan Paweł Street, where many international companies have their Polish representation.
A big part of the sightseeing experience here is simply scrutinising the modern high-rise buildings, which are an extreme contrast to what Poland was just 30 years ago. And the most fascinating thing is actually the contrasts, because on the Rondo ONZ itself, we also find concrete blocks from the 1970s and an older property in need of renovation. These are just a few examples, but if you like modern urban architecture, there’s plenty to look at. But even among the skyscrapers, there are differences. The centrepiece of the square is the elegant Rondo 1 (discussed below), while the Ilmet at 15 Jan Paweł II Street , after just 18 years, has been judged too old-fashioned, too low and too aesthetically outdated – and perhaps too expensive to renovate. It is scheduled to be replaced in 2026 by a 188 metre high building designed by Danish architectural firm Schmidt Hammer Lassen.
The old market hall, front with flower stalls
Hala Mirowska – Plac Mirowski, Plac Żelaznej Bramy and at Jan Paweł II Street around no. 30. Hall complex from 1902 – rebuilt after WWII. Market halls with supermarket, flower market and much more. Until the second world war it was the most important trading centre in Warsaw.
On the back side, private individuals have small shops in a less formal way
Mirowski consists of several halls, and in the neighbouring hall at Plac Żelaznej Bramy 1, a beautiful food hall has opened with a selection of restaurants from all over Warsaw. Open Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
The last fragment of the wall around the Jewish ghetto on Zlota Street. Sienna 55/ Złota 62. Twarda 44 – 10 minutes from Metro Rondo ONZ.
The 18 km long wall around the ghetto was 3 metres high and was further reinforced by one metre of barbed wire. The wall is long gone, but a small piece has survived here in the backyard, which is an interesting walk in itself. A few commemorative plaques tell the story of the wall and the ghetto, while a few bricks have been removed and sent to Jewish museums. As it’s a residential area with many visitors, the use of loudspeakers is prohibited and visitors are encouraged to keep their voices down if they need to talk to each other. You go through a gate to get into the backyard, so it’s not necessarily easy to find, but look for signs and you’ll find your way.
For a more discreet view of the wall, walk on the right side of the road towards the Złoty Teras shopping centre and Dworzec Centralny (Central Railway Station). Here, on the right side, on the stretch between the side streets Sienna and Złota, you will find a schoolyard where you can see the wall from the other side if you look through the railings and vegetation.
Rondo 1 seen from Prosta street.
Rondo 1. Address Rondo ONZ 1. On the roundabout itself when coming up from the metro. The complex consists of two buildings – a 10-storey building with parking and shops and a 40-storey office centre. Glass building with lots of beautiful details, including metal bands separating each floor. The outdoor lifts help create a dynamic sculpture.
Q22
Q22 – 200 metres from Aleja Jana Pawła II to number 22. A 155 metre glass skyscraper from 2016. A dynamic, two-part tower block with a shape reminiscent of rock crystals.
Around a 15-minute walk
The bridge between the Big and Little Ghetto. Corner of Żelażna 68 and Chłodna. Approximately 15 minutes’ walk from both Metro Arsenał and Metro Rondo ONZ.
An artistic installation from 2011, reminiscent of the old wooden bridge that separated the Big and Little Ghetto. An important tram line ran here, so the Germans chose this solution to keep the tram network functional.
Photographer unknown. Public domain.
Four pillars and a light installation symbolise the original bridge. On the pavement are slides that allow you to see original photos from the ghetto.
Please send an email to m@hardenfelt.pl if you would like an English-speaking tour guide to show you the most important places in Warsaw.