Park Praski (Praga Park), Warsaw

Enter Praga Park from Solidarity Avenue, near the twin-towered Cathedral of Saint Michael the Archangel and Saint Florian the Martyr. Officially called the Soldiers of the Polish First Army Park, this landscaped green space was created between 1865 and 1871 to a design by Jan Dobrowolski. It originally extended across about 30 hectares, although part of the grounds was later incorporated into the neighboring Warsaw Zoo.

From the entrance, follow the broad path leading north through the park. The avenues form part of the original star-shaped layout, with routes spreading toward Veterans’ Square and Ratuszowa Street. As you walk, look back through the trees for views of the cathedral towers.

Near the southern section, you may notice the former brown-bear enclosure, recognizable as a sunken, rocky area beside the road. Bears were kept here from 1952 up until 2020, when they were moved inside the zoo. It now remains as a reminder of the park’s close connection with the Zoological Garden, which was established on former parkland in 1927.

Continue toward the park's center to find its most distinctive sculpture: the tall metal Giraffe, created by Władysław Frycz in 1981. You can't miss its elongated neck and spotted openwork body. Nearby are several smaller animal sculptures, including figures of a rhinoceros and European bison, which make this section especially appealing to families.

Farther among the trees, look for the monument to Eliza Orzeszkowa, a bronze bust of the Polish writer set on a stone pedestal. Sculpted by Henryk Kuna and installed in 1938, this is one of the park’s principal historical monuments. Nearby stands a commemorative drinking fountain marked with the dates 1886–1936, celebrating the anniversary of Warsaw’s waterworks.

The park also contains an open-air concert shell, playgrounds, exercise areas, and many shaded benches. Its mature trees include lindens, maples, elms, poplars, chestnuts, spruces and larches, making Praga Park a pleasant place to pause before continuing to the zoo or exploring the wider Praga district.