Praga-Północ
Praga-Północ, or North Praga, is a district in Warsaw, Poland, located on the right bank of the Vistula River. It is one of the city’s oldest areas and used to be an independent town. It joined Warsaw in the late 18th century, and in 1945 it was divided into Praga-North and Praga-South. The district survived World War II with many old buildings still standing, giving visitors a strong sense of pre-war Warsaw. It covers about 11.4 square kilometers and has around 64,000 residents. Today it is popular with artists and tourists who want to feel the old atmosphere of the city.
Key sights and features
- Warsaw Zoo: opened in 1928 in the northern part of Park Praski; destroyed during World War II and rebuilt in 1948. The zoo houses about 5,000 animals from nearly 500 species. A notable feature is the brown bear enclosure, visible from outside the zoo walls.
- Beaches on the Vistula: there is a popular summer beach on the right bank with lawn chairs, wicker baskets, and sports facilities like volleyball and badminton; evenings feature concerts and DJs and offer a view of the Old Town. Other beaches are at Cypel Czerniakowski and Wał Miedzeszyński Street.
- Rożycki Bazaar: at the entrance to the bazaar are three old houses; two are among the oldest preserved buildings in Praga. Built in the late 19th century for Jewish merchant Berek Rothblith, they later served as Jewish houses of prayer. Today they belong to the Museum of Praga.
- Neighborhood band monument: a sculpture showing a local band playing old Warsaw tunes, unveiled in 2006 and set in a small square.
- St. Mary Magdalene Orthodox Church: opened in 1869, designed in a Byzantine style and one of the largest Polish Orthodox churches.
- Religious and cultural history: the district has long been home to Catholic, Orthodox, and Jewish communities living together.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 00:20 (CET).