Almost charming

Complaining about Old Town's movie-set quality or its "Disneyfication" does no one any good. As Polish flags fluttered everywhere on Constitution Day, marking the end of a five-day weekend, thick crowds of mostly native tourists were here having a great time. I want what the Poles want. Isn't that all that matters? Can a re-creation be authentic? Also a hearty yes. Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site for a reason. It was rebuilt with a keen commitment to accuracy and detail. The building with stripes and a really steep roof is St. John's Cathedral.

Lining these cobblestone streets there is too much to describe, so with your implied permission I am going to place some images here with minimal commentary.

Crowds in Old Town Market Square.

The four sides of the square are named after 18th century parliamentarians. This is the Zakrzewski side. 

The Dekert side.

The Barss side.

The Kollataj side.

Some details. 

The Fukier House, home to one of Warsaw's better restaurants.

The Warsaw Mermaid has been used as a symbol on the city crest since the mid-14th century. She lives in the Vistula River and with raised sword and shield is determined to protect the city from those who would do it harm. She's been doing a pretty crappy job.

The House of the "Little Black Boy."

Wait, what? 

Oh. 

Everywhere in Warsaw, but especially in Old Town, you will encounter offers to attend mini-concerts of Chopin piano music. At street level alone, the musicians here are a cut above what you will find in the rest of Europe, so I am guessing these performances are pretty good. And they're cheap ― $10 or so. It's not clear how much love Chopin had for Poland, leaving during the partition years and never returning.  He is buried near Jim Morrison in Pere Lachaise Cemetery. 

The weather here has been great.

Oh, dear, I think I may have paid too much.

Hold everything; we have a beagle puppy.

Piwna Street. 

Approaching the city fortifications.

On to Plac Zamkovy ...

A couple other views of Castle Square. It symbolizes Warsaw for every Pole. Political demonstrations are held here and champagne corks are popped on New Year's Eve. Since everybody knows where it is, it's also a popular rendezvous point. 

The castle with Zygmunt's Column, the oldest nonreligious monument in Warsaw, at center-right. It was erected in 1644 to memorialize King Zygmunt III Waza, who made Warsaw his home in 1596.