Warsaw

Warsaw was founded in 1300 AD and is the capital and largest city of Poland. It is the 9th largest in the EU (by population), making it an "Alpha City."Warsaw Centrum
This city straddles the Vistula River, and is a curious mix of the very old and the very new.
Barbican CastleThe reason for much of its architectural diversity of course is World War II and Hitler's planned bombings and razing of the city.One of its nicknames is the Phoenix City because it has come back from the ashes.
Warsaw Monument to the Ghetto HeroesIt is a city with planned greenspace, including The Royal Baths Park with its pavilions, sculptures, briges, cascades, and ponds, as well as its pheasants, peacocks and royal carps in the ponds. It is a nice place for a stroll.
Royal Baths ParkThe Mermaid (syrenka)is the symbol of Warsaw. Wikipedia lists two legends for the mermaid symbol. I like the second one better, which says that "a mermaid once swam to Warsaw from the Baltic Sea for the love of the Griffin, the ancient defender of the city, who was killed in a struggle against the Swedish invasions of the 17th century. The mermaid, wishing to avenge his death, took the position of defender of Warsaw, becoming the symbol of the city."Famous people from Warsaw include Marie Curie, Wladyslaw Szpilman, and Fryderyk Chopin. It seems nearly a magical place. In my imagination it is filled with culture and beauty and is inconquerable.