Al Jerozolimskie

Al Jerozolimskie is a big, ugly thoroughfare that creates a physical east-west border through the city. The area to its south was ear-marked by the communists for post-WWII development, and some of the city's boldest socialist-realist architecture can be found here. Ul Marszałkowska, a broad avenue running south from near the financial district, contains the most impressive examples.

Its stretch between Plac Konstytucji (Constitution Square) and Plac Zbawciela is lined with arcades bearing giant reliefs of heroic workers - the imposing scale and rigid, rectilinear forms are pinnacles of conformity and control. Constitution Square itself is also worth a look for its two giant colonnades.Not everything here has been bent to communist ideals. A few side streets close to Al Jerozolimskie still retain a semblance of pre-WWII charm, and are home to 19th-century houses, traditional workshops and cafés - ul Wilcza is particularly fine to stroll. Further south are remnants of the royal house of Poland in the form of Łazienki Park and Wilanów.