Jerozolimskie Avenues – their history and key landmarks guide us through several eras of Warsaw’s development. Today, this major thoroughfare connects places associated with the city’s history, postwar architecture and the daily bustle of the city center.
It is worth walking along them, not just passing through. Individual sections show how Warsaw changed: from 19th-century suburbs, through wartime destruction, to today’s business and transport center.
Where did Jerozolimskie Avenues get their name?
The history of Jerozolimskie Avenues dates back to the 18th century. Their name refers to the Jewish settlement of New Jerusalem, founded in 1774 by Grand Crown Marshal August Sułkowski. The settlement was established outside the city at the time, and its name gave rise to the later name of the street.
Initially, it was a route leading beyond Warsaw’s dense urban area. Over time, the surroundings became more urbanized, and the road gained importance for transport. In the 19th century, the city’s growth extended development farther west and south. The present avenue was laid out under the direction of General Józef Zajączek. In 1845, Vienna Station opened, giving the street a new, bustling character, and in 1908 the first electric trams began operating.
Jerozolimskie Avenues did not always look as they do today. Even in the second half of the 19th century, their surroundings were far less urban in character. They included gardens and areas that were only later designated for development.
In the following decades, tenement buildings, craft workshops and small factories were built. The expanding street network further increased the importance of this part of the city. Today’s Jerozolimskie Avenues are therefore the result of development in several stages, rather than a single urban project.
Jerozolimskie Avenues before and after 1945
Before World War II, Jerozolimskie Avenues were among Warsaw’s important urban spaces. The intersection with Marszałkowska Street was particularly significant. Pedestrian, commercial and transport activity was concentrated here.
The war radically changed the appearance of this part of the capital. Much of the city-center development was destroyed. After 1945, rebuilding Warsaw did not mean simply recreating the prewar layout.
In the case of Jerozolimskie Avenues, the scale of development and the way the space was organized changed. Wide thoroughfares and postwar buildings began to stand alongside preserved or reconstructed examples of older architecture.
The area around the intersection with Marszałkowska is a good example of these changes. Today’s Rotunda was built in 1966 as part of the modernist Eastern Wall complex. The building became one of the best-known landmarks in this part of Warsaw.
Another important feature of the postwar landscape was Central Railway Station. The building opened in December 1975. It was designed by Arseniusz Romanowicz and Piotr Szymaniak. To this day, the station remains one of the most important transport hubs in the city center.
The most important landmarks along Jerozolimskie Avenues
You can begin exploring this part of Warsaw at Central Railway Station. It is a useful landmark, especially for visitors arriving by train. The Palace of Culture and Science and Złote Tarasy are located right nearby.
Next, it is worth walking toward Dmowski Roundabout. Along the way, you can see the center’s distinctive postwar architecture. Here, Jerozolimskie Avenues cross Marszałkowska Street, one of the main streets in the city center.
One of the best-known buildings is Rotunda. Its distinctive rounded form has been part of the cityscape for decades. Its history is also worth remembering. In 1979, a gas explosion here killed 49 people. After reconstruction in 2017-2019, the building retained its characteristic shape.
Another landmark is the site of the former Central Department Store, later known as CeDeT (Smyk). The building was constructed in 1948–1952 and remains an excellent example of postwar modernism. It was designed by Zbigniew Ihnatowicz and Jerzy Romański.
If your goal is to learn about the city’s history, pay attention to more than individual buildings. The changing scale of the street, the width of the thoroughfare and the contrast between prewar traces and postwar architecture are equally fascinating.
A hotel near Jerozolimskie Avenues
Today, Jerozolimskie Avenues are primarily an important transport artery. They run through several Warsaw districts, while their city-center section lies close to the station, shopping centers, office buildings and major intersections.
How can you plan such a walk? A good option is to start at Central Railway Station and walk toward Dmowski Roundabout. Along the way, you can see several distinctive buildings, then head toward Marszałkowska Street, Nowy Świat or other parts of the city center.
Those looking for accommodation may want to consider a location near Jerozolimskie Avenues. In the city center, a few streets’ difference can affect access to the station, public transport or planned walking routes.
One example is No.4 Residence at Nowogrodzka 4. The apartments occupy a restored historic annex of a tenement building designed in the early modernist style, where you can feel the spirit of prewar Warsaw. Each apartment also has a kitchenette, allowing you to plan your meals independently during your stay. The property also features a terrace overlooking the city center and offers long-term stays.
The apartments’ greatest advantage is their location in the heart of the city, with convenient access to Central Railway Station and the Palace of Culture and Science. This makes them an excellent choice both for train travelers and for those who want to discover the history of Jerozolimskie Avenues, Nowy Świat or Three Crosses Square on foot.
Summary
Jerozolimskie Avenues – their history and key landmarks offer a clear picture of Warsaw’s transformation. The name recalls an 18th-century settlement, the 19th century brought urban development, and the postwar period completely changed the scale of this part of the capital.
When walking along Jerozolimskie Avenues, it is worth looking beyond individual attractions. Central Railway Station, Rotunda, the area around Dmowski Roundabout and the postwar buildings form successive layers of the city’s history.
If you are planning to explore the city center, treat Jerozolimskie Avenues as one of the landmarks on your route, rather than merely a busy street running through Warsaw.
Jerozolimskie Avenues – FAQ
Where does the name Jerozolimskie Avenues come from?
The name refers to New Jerusalem, a settlement founded in the 18th century outside Warsaw’s then boundaries. Over time, the name became associated with the road leading in that direction.
What is located along Jerozolimskie Avenues?
Their central section includes Central Railway Station, Rotunda, Złote Tarasy and the Palace of Culture and Science. Numerous examples of postwar architecture can also be seen along the thoroughfare.
Is it worth exploring Jerozolimskie Avenues on foot?
Yes, especially if you are interested in Warsaw’s urban history. It is best to choose a specific section and combine the walk with a visit to nearby parts of the city center.
Where is the best place to start a walk along Jerozolimskie Avenues?
Central Railway Station is a practical starting point. Several distinctive landmarks are nearby, and from there you can easily continue toward Dmowski Roundabout and Marszałkowska Street.
Can you find accommodation near Jerozolimskie Avenues?
Yes. Warsaw city center offers various types of accommodation, including hotels and apartments. Check their exact location in relation to the station, public transport and the places you plan to visit.