Day 60, from Warsaw to Copenhagen

We have met my dear friend Monika who has taken us to Warsaw's Castle Square, in Old Town, Poland.

It is quite an impressive sight, dominated by Zygmunt's Column, which towers above the beautiful Old Town houses.

Monika told us that Zygmunt's Column, erected in 1644, is one of Warsaw's most famous landmarks and one of the oldest secular monuments in northern Europe.

The column and statue commemorate King Zygmunt III Waza, who in 1596 had moved Poland's capital from Kraków to Warsaw.

And there is the Royal Castle, a royal palace that used to be the official residence of the Polish monarchs. The imposing façade, built of brick is 90 m long and faces the Castle Square. The personal offices of the king and the administrative offices of the Royal Court of Poland were located there from the 16th century until the Partitions of Poland. In its long history the Royal Castle was repeatedly devastated and plundered by Swedish, Brandenburgian, German, and Russian armies.

After the devastation of World War II it was rebuilt and reconstructed.
Today it is a historical and national monument, and is listed as a national museum.

This square is a busy hub for tourists and locals, who gather to watch street entertainers, participate in rallies, watch concerts and even engage in breakdancing...and we enjoyed our short visit here. Of course Monika has invited us to return so that she can show us the rest of her beautiful country....and we most certainly will.....

Now Marti is nagging me to go to Copenahagen....because she wants to see the Little Mermaid.......

OK, Marti, your wish is my command...so we are now off to Denmark.......

There she is .....

the statue of the Little Mermaid....she sits on a rock in the Copenhagen harbor in Langelinie. This small and unimposing statue is a Copenhagen icon and a major tourist attraction. The statue was commissioned in 1909 by Carl Jacobsen, son of the founder of Carlsberg, after he had been fascinated by a ballet about the fairytale. The sculptor Edward Eriksen created the statue, which was unveiled on 23 August 1913. His wife, Eline Eriksen, was the model.

Happy Marti? Yes:-)....Kim http://www.postcrossing.com/user/kimananda has invited us for a drink in Nyhavn...

so we are going to meet her before leaving Denmark....and Amit is going to visit his best friend in the whole world...she has just had a baby recently....