About Saska Kępa

The right bank of the Vistula river and its Saska Kępa, a lovely green island of modernist architecture, where you can walk along the streets shaded by the leaves of lime and maple trees. Ever since it was marked on the map of Warsaw in the 1920s, many personalities have been drawn here, including Agnieszka Osiecka, who lived here at 25 Dąbrowiecka Street. There is also a statue of the poet on the corner of Francuska and Obrońców. During his brief visit to Poland Pablo Picasso stayed here as well.
The once trendy place for Sunday trips became a luxurious neighbourhood filled with villas, detached houses and small townhouses created by top architects. Saska Kępa has held to this status until today. Even though it is close to the city centre, it has managed to retain its character from the past – a quiet place nearby, an enclave of peace and grass.
The name of this, as geographers have established, “navel of Warsaw” comes from Saxon settlers who moved here during the rule of the Saxon dynasty. Saska Kępa’s greatest treasure is its architecture. Since the district didn’t suffer much during WW2, it has retained its distinctive building style. Many architectural gems have survived, including the villa at 14 Obrońców Street, belonging to the Wolski family, designed by Aleksander Więckowski, or the villa at 6 Estońska Street.
What is worth noticing is the naming of the streets – many come from the names of countries and cities, others are rooted in the local history, and yet others commemorate important figures or historical events. Saska Kępa’s main promenade is Francuska Street, with many period houses and a wide range of restaurants, where you can sit and order cake, coffee, tea or other delicacies.
“It was May, Saska Kępa smelled pretty” are the words written by Agnieszka Osiecka. It is all true, but May is not the only month when this special part of Warsaw is worth visiting. Every time and season is perfect for that.
Photo source: http://viacitymap.pl/Miasta/Warszawa/Artykuly/Saska-Kepa-gdzie-zjesc