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Żoliborz - an artistic district with a unique interwar atmosphere

Żoliborz became part of Warsaw in 1916 and it is beloved by capital creatives to this day.

Żoliborz
Based in Warsaw, Poland
Żoliborz
Based in Warsaw, Poland

General Overview

Absorbed into Warsaw in 1916, the northern district of Żoliborz enjoyed something of a golden period during the inter-war year. Defined by the area’s rapid growth and development, this era saw swathes of Żoliborz earmarked to serve as a housing estate for military officers. However, the area also attracted a fleet of celebrities, writers, actors and artists, and to this day it has retained a reputation as a popular place for creatives.

Touting a pleasantly suburban atmosphere due to its rich spread of parks and quiet, leafy side streets, Żoliborz should not, however, be written off as a sedate district on Warsaw’s upper fringe. Often described by locals as a self-contained ‘city within a city’, the area boasts a rich food and drink scene and an interesting range of small, independent stores which highlight the strong sense of community. Curiously, the locals are also proud of the district’s association with David Bowie – it was during an unscheduled walk around here that the singer was inspired to write Warszawa, and his fleeting visit is today remembered by way of a huge mural on Kazimiery street.



Architecture & Property

Blending new build apartment blocks with both pre-war housing stock and Communist era buildings, the unique spirit of Żoliborz derives, in part, from its eclectic architectural mix. Originally inspired by the English ‘garden cities’ created by Ebenezer Howard, many of the most enviable properties were created to serve as quarters for Poland’s generals and these are especially prominent around Plac Słoneczny. Often appearing in the form of attractive terraced houses with red-tiled roofs and column-flanked porches, these are complimented by a wealth of early modernist villas and apartments – especially famous is the so-called Glass House, a 100-metre long residential complex once visited by Picasso.

Communism saw a wave of less aesthetic housing estates built and though a little forbidding in their sight, they have been counter-balanced by a rash of modern blocks developed these last few years. In-filled with sculptures, murals and bursts of retro neon, the neo-modernist Żoliborz Artystyczny development is an example of how real estate firms are seeking to entwine cultural and social considerations into their blueprints. Unsurprisingly, it's attracted plenty of first-time buyers, and this in turn has injected the area with a youthful atmosphere.

Architecture & Property

Blending new build apartment blocks with both pre-war housing stock and Communist era buildings, the unique spirit of Żoliborz derives, in part, from its eclectic architectural mix. Originally inspired by the English ‘garden cities’ created by Ebenezer Howard, many of the most enviable properties were created to serve as quarters for Poland’s generals and these are especially prominent around Plac Słoneczny. Often appearing in the form of attractive terraced houses with red-tiled roofs and column-flanked porches, these are complimented by a wealth of early modernist villas and apartments – especially famous is the so-called Glass House, a 100-metre long residential complex once visited by Picasso.

Communism saw a wave of less aesthetic housing estates built and though a little forbidding in their sight, they have been counter-balanced by a rash of modern blocks developed these last few years. In-filled with sculptures, murals and bursts of retro neon, the neo-modernist Żoliborz Artystyczny development is an example of how real estate firms are seeking to entwine cultural and social considerations into their blueprints. Unsurprisingly, it's attracted plenty of first-time buyers, and this in turn has injected the area with a youthful atmosphere.

Green Spaces

The name Żoliborz stems from the French joli bord (“beautiful embankment”), so it is therefore fitting to find so much green space in the area. Kępa Potocka’s curving canal-side pathways teem with rollerbladers, cyclists, joggers and strollers, whilst the stretch of parkland found on Al. Wojska Polskiego has long been home to the Saturday ‘Breakfast Market’, a daytime affair that has helped strengthen the community vibe with its food stalls and live entertainment. Surrounded by wooded parkland, the Citadel is also an interesting excursion with its environs playing host to the award-winning Katyn Museum and the soon-to-be launched Polish Army Museum and the Museum of Polish History. Close by, the riverbank is home to a small beach whilst pretty Park Żeromskiego is a draw all-year around.

Transport

Metro: Żoliborz is served by metro stops at Marymont, Gdanski and Wilsona. Looking a little space age with its lava lamp colours, the latter was once named as being among the world’s most “beautiful metro stations” by CNN Travel. The centre can be reached in around ten-minutes. 

Rail: Gdanska station mainly serves regional connections to secondary and tertiary towns. However, Warsaw’s primary station, Centralna, lies just five kilometres to the south.

Bus: The station at Marymont is a major bus hub and the entire area is covered well by Warsaw’s bus network.

Tram: Trams run regularly and swiftly down the main arteries of Żoliborz and ensure convenient access to the city centre, the business district, and the Old Town.  

Cycling: Żoliborz has several modern cycle paths that lead directly to the business district. For recreational cyclists, the route running along the riverbank is tremendously popular.



Transport

Metro: Żoliborz is served by metro stops at Marymont, Gdanski and Wilsona. Looking a little space age with its lava lamp colours, the latter was once named as being among the world’s most “beautiful metro stations” by CNN Travel. The centre can be reached in around ten-minutes. 

Rail: Gdanska station mainly serves regional connections to secondary and tertiary towns. However, Warsaw’s primary station, Centralna, lies just five kilometres to the south.

Bus: The station at Marymont is a major bus hub and the entire area is covered well by Warsaw’s bus network.

Tram: Trams run regularly and swiftly down the main arteries of Żoliborz and ensure convenient access to the city centre, the business district, and the Old Town.  

Cycling: Żoliborz has several modern cycle paths that lead directly to the business district. For recreational cyclists, the route running along the riverbank is tremendously popular.



Amenities & Infrastructure

Żoliborz has a small selection of bi-lingual and international pre-schools and kindergartens. From the shopper’s perspective, much joy can be had investigating the suburb’s many little stores, though for a more branded, international experience, the area borders Westfield Arkadia, reputedly the country’s largest shopping centre.



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