The Heart of Chopin Still Beats in Warsaw, Poland

Katarzyna Kraszewska sat ramrod straight in front of the black lacquered Steinway & Sons grand piano. She contemplated the keyboard for a moment before striking the first commanding chord of a piece written by Frédéric Chopin. For the next hour I was mesmerized, fascinated that so much of the music was familiar to me, despite not being a particular fan of classical music.

Audience awaits a Chopin concert at the Stare Galeria in Warsaw's Old Town
Audience awaits a Chopin concert at the Stare Galeria in Warsaw’s Old Town

The ubiquitous performances of Chopin in Warsaw are no coincidence. The famous composer was born 29 miles outside the Polish capital in 1810. Six months later, the family moved into the right wing of the Saski Palace in Warsaw proper. Chopin began studying the piano at the age of six and was giving concerts by the time he turned eight. During his short life he produced a body of work, mostly for the solo piano, that is still hailed as pure genius. He was the Michael Jackson of the 19th century, superstar in every imaginable way, and Warsaw rightly claims him as a native son.

As a young man, Frédéric Chopin played the organ at The Visitant's Church in Warsaw. The original wooden organ is still preserved inside the church.
As a young man, Frédéric Chopin played the organ at The Visitant’s Church in Warsaw. The original wooden organ is still preserved inside the church.

One might say that Warsaw is obsessed with the famous composer. I was treated to a Chopin walking tour by the kind folks at Fall In Love With Warsaw. My guide pointed out the building on the grounds of Warsaw University where Chopin lived as a student, the churches where he played the organ, and the houses where he lived as a child. Even Saski Palace, his childhood home that was destroyed during WWII, is commemorated. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier stands on the former site of the palace, and it seems the soldiers who keep vigil there do so as much for Chopin as for the unsung heroes of the war.

At the former site of Saski Palace, where Chopin lived as a child, soldiers stand guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
At the former site of Saski Palace, where Chopin lived as a child, soldiers stand guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

There are dozens of locations associated with Chopin in Warsaw. To ensure that fans can easily find them, the city has installed Chopin benches at each site. Though I might have be pardoned for resting my weary feet, these benches are not meant for sitting. A description of the site and how it relates to the musician is carved into each polished stone seat, and pressing a button fills the air with Chopin’s haunting melodies.

Benches mark the historic sites associated with the famous composer Chopin in Warsaw
Benches mark the historic sites associated with the famous composer Chopin in Warsaw

Eventually, all Chopin fans make their way to Lazienki Królewskie Park, one of the city’s gorgeous green spaces. Free Chopin concerts are performed every Sunday at noon and 4 p.m. from mid-May to the end of September, near the statue of Chopin. After the concert, be sure to stroll around the lake to the lovely Baroque Palace on the Isle.

Throughout the summer, free Chopin concerts are held at Lazienki Park in Warsaw. Even without the concert, the park is not to be missed, especially for its lovely Baroque Palace on the Isle.
Throughout the summer, free Chopin concerts are held at Lazienki Park in Warsaw. Even without the concert, the park is not to be missed, especially for its lovely Baroque Palace on the Isle, seen above.

In 1830, Chopin set off on a performance tour of Eastern Europe. During his absence from Warsaw, the November Uprising broke out and was subsequently crushed. Unable to return to Warsaw for political reasons, he moved to Paris, where he would remain until his death at the age of 39. Chopin cursed the day he left Warsaw. Though he eventually became a French citizen, he never ceased thinking of himself as a Pole.

Display in front of the Presidential Palace in Warsaw commemorated resistance fighters who attempted to take back Old Town from the Nazi's during WWII. It was here that Chopin gave his first professional concert at the age of eight.
Display in front of the Presidential Palace in Warsaw commemorated resistance fighters who attempted to take back Old Town from the Nazi’s during WWII. It was here that Chopin gave his first professional concert at the age of eight.

By the age of 32, Chopin’s health began to decline. As the end grew near, the composer gathered his family and friends around him and made them promise to have his heart removed after his death and returned to Warsaw. His body was interned at Paris’ Père Lachaise cemetery but Chopin’s sister, Ludwika, carried his heart back to Warsaw in an urn, where it was interned beneath a column inside the Church of the Holy Cross.

Chopin's actual heart is entombed at the base of this pillar inside Holy Cross Church in Warsaw, Poland
Chopin’s actual heart is entombed at the base of this pillar inside Holy Cross Church in Warsaw, Poland

My guide had to rush off for another tour at noon, but I continued to seek out more sites associated with Chopin. At a confectionery, I sampled the Rose-flavored chocolates that Chopin’s sister used as bribes to keep her brother practicing the piano.

Rose-flavored chocolates, always packed in a bright pink box, are found at selected confectionaries around the city. They are said to be the very same chocolates that Chopin's sister used as bribes to keep the child musician practicing the piano
Rose-flavored chocolates, always packed in a bright pink box, are found at selected confectionaries around the city. They are said to be the very same chocolates that Chopin’s sister used as bribes to keep the child musician practicing the piano

At Castle Square I learned about the daily Chopin recitals at the Stara Galeria from a flyer-wielding woman. Moments later, I was seated in the gallery, being carried away to a place of bliss as the deft fingers of Madame Kraszewska filled the space with the music of Chopin.

View down Krakowskie Przedmiescie, looking toward Castle Square and the entrance to Stare Miasto, Warsaw's historic Old Town
View down Krakowskie Przedmiescie, looking toward Castle Square and the entrance to Stare Miasto, Warsaw’s historic Old Town

I must confess to being unexpectedly smitten with Warsaw. I had heard that the city was dull and filled with uninspiring Soviet-era architecture. Instead, I discovered a surprisingly sophisticated and cosmopolitan city with broad boulevards, exceedingly friendly locals, and a thriving entertainment scene. But best of all was the discovery that the heart of Chopin still beats strongly in Warsaw.

Author’s note: For even more fun as you search for Chopin sites around Warsaw, download the following two apps for your smartphone (available for iOS and Android): Selfie with Chopin and Chopin in Warsaw.

10 thoughts on “The Heart of Chopin Still Beats in Warsaw, Poland”

  1. Hi Barbara, I’ve stumbled across your blog and find your writing really fascinating. I’ve just been to Warsaw, ashamed to say I didn’t pick up on the Chopin cultural events like you, but I really enjoyed just strolling around the old town and the Royal Mile. It’s awe inspiring how the Poles managed to rebuilt it from ruins after WW2.

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    • I agree Richard. I was absolutely blown away by Warsaw. They are probably the EU’s biggest success story. I will definitelyreturn at some point.

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  2. The concert was indeed lovely, as was the company! It was great meeting you at the concert, Barbara, and I’m enjoying staying in touch with your travels via your blog.

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    • Thanks so much Danuta. I was also very happy to meet you. We had such a fascinating conversation over dinner, and I’m so happy we are staying in touch.

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  3. Loved Warsaw! Listening to a classical music was never the same again after visiting Warsaw.
    Poland is a lovely, lovely country. Exceeded my expectations. Krakow, too, should not be missed in visiting Poland.

    Beautiful pictures and learned a lot from your article.

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    • Thanks Cynthia. I also visited Krakow this past summer, and while it is a beautiful city with a gorgeous Market Square, I have to admit that Warsaw was my favorite this time around.

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  4. Thank you for your lovely article and photos! Reading this brings back fond memories of my recent first trip to Warsaw, a beautiful city. I thoroughly enjoyed a walking tour of Chopin’s life and his interactive museum. I missed out on the rose chocolates though! I’ll have to try them next time.

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    • Hi Karusia: Thanks so much for your lovely comment. Missing out on those rose chocolates just gives you a good reason to return 🙂

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  5. As a child I loved playing the piano and Chopin was a real inspiration to me. I’m glad his sister fulfilled his wishes by returning his heart to his beloved homeland – thanks for this story Barbara and your beautiful photos too.

    Reply

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