I visited this WHS in August 2020. The near total reconstruction of the Historic Centre of Warsaw is really outstanding and unlike other WHS such as Regensburg in Germany or Torun in Poland itself, the quality of the reconstruction is so high and on such a large but meticulous scale that it wouldn't be unheard of to think that most of the old city centre is from Medieval times.

Warsaw was deliberately annihilated in 1944 as a repression of the Polish resistance to the German occupation. The capital city was reduced to ruins with the intention of obliterating the centuries old tradition of Polish statehood. The rebuilding of the historic city, 85% of which was destroyed, was the result of the determination of the inhabitants and the support of the whole nation. The reconstruction of the old city centre in its historic urban and architectural form was the manifestation of the care and attention taken to assure the survival of one of the most important testimonial of Polish culture. The city as the symbol of elective authority and tolerance, where the first democratic European constitution of 1791 was adopted was rebuilt, including a holistic recreation of the urban plan, together with the Old Town Market, the town houses, the circuit of the city walls as well as the Royal Castle and important religious buildings.

I'd recommend starting your visit of the historic centre by entering through the Barbican gate and gazing at the different pretty motifs on most of the facades of the town houses. After a short while, you'll reach the Old Town Market Square (Rynek Starego Miasta) which in fact is the oldest part of Warsaw. On each side of the square is a ceramic sign with the UNESCO symbol with some info on the restoration of the facades. In the middle is a statue of the Mermaid of Warsaw, also represented on the city's coat of arms. According to a legend, the mermaid decided to stay after stopping on a river bank near the Old Town. Fishermen noticed something was creating waves, tangling nets, and releasing their fish. They planned to trap the animal, then heard her singing and fell in love. A rich merchant trapped and imprisoned the mermaid. Hearing her cries, the fishermen rescued her. Ever since the mermaid, armed with a sword and a shield, has been ready to help protect the city and its residents. Sometimes this legend is expanded to say the Little Mermaid in Copenhagen is the Warsaw mermaid's sister and they went separate ways from the Baltic Sea.

Above one of the edges of the Old Town Market Square (15, Zapiecek Street) is a pretty clock and on the floor beneath it is the UNESCO WHS inscription plaque. Recently, UNESCO marble markers with a bronze miniature of the old town were placed near the Barbican as well as near Sigimund's column. After visiting a number of churches (free entrance), hidden behind St. John's Cathedral, Queen Anna's corridor connects the Royal Castle with the cathedral. After a quick look at the huge wishing bell, I reached Castle square. For 6 zloty, you can climb St. Anne's Church Tower for a panoramic view (photo) of Castle Square from the viewing terrace which is not very popular as most go to the 30th floor of the Palace of Culture and Science for the highest panoramic view of Warsaw. From here, I noticed the Copper-Roof Palace, adjacent to the Royal Castle, which I visited later on together with the Upper Garden of the Royal Castle just behind it.