Kamienne Schodki (Stone Steps)is one of the loveliest streets in the Old Town. Even though it seems counter intuitive to call a street, becouse no mean of transport could ride there. It is a long strech of stairs. It leads from The Old Market Square to Brzozowa Street, and further to Bugaj Street. |
 Kamienne Schodki propably existed in XV century as narrow, steep street or wooden stairs called Przechodni, Ciasna or Piesza. It leaded to transition in the wall to Rybaki, which was list in document from 1496. In 1564 town walls were renovated, at old place of Furta Rybacka stand urban gate-Biła Brama. It was squere, maisonette building with high tower, ended pointed roof, painted in white, that’s why it is called Biała Brama (White Gate). Under the gate were dug deep dangeons, building was destined for town prison. At znacznej slope of Przechodnia street, now leaded to gate, bulit stone steps with deep rowami at both sides. That were the first alley steps in Warsaw.
In XVII century alley was called Na Schodach, but in lustration of Old Town buildings from 1754 at first time featured as Kamienne Schodki street. In 1708 Kamienne Schodki were longed and wyprowadzone along the town walls. They linked street which run at the cliff, along the walls-Brzozowa, with ugaj street, which is situadted under the cliff. There where bulit narrow steps made from brick, which were replaced stone steps. In XIX century it was dark and narrow alley liked by painters, who were chrmed by it’s beauty of past, but after twilight it wasn’t calm and safe. Maksymilian Gierymski’s painting presented Kamienne Schodki is very famous and come from that term. Propably in 1806 Napoleon Bonaparte I went there above the Vistula with prince Józef Poniatowski. From description of this walk we develop that he didn’t like this place, becouse it was dirty and untidy.
 Ruined during II World War Kamienne Schodki were reconstructed at the model from XVII century. Now it is nice, becouse not long time ago repaired, one of many streets. It fenomen and inność depend on that it don’t have much to do with normal street. It gains fame original nad opinion of the most romantic alley in Od Town. In Gazeta Wyborcza contest, warszawiacy (?) selected Kamienne Schodki one of the most magician place their city. Poets like Artur Oppman(Or-Ot) were writing about it, Irena Santor sang a J.Lewiński’s song ‘Kamienne Schodki’. For this days it is inspirations for pinters, lately it is place worth of see fo it climate.
Although a bit decreppit nowadays it has its charm, especially on summer afternoons when cats from nearby backyards come here to rest in the sun. The Stone Steps charmed Napoleon Bonaparte when he visited Warsaw, although at that time Kamienne Schodki was just a route used for carrying water from the Vistula to the Old Town.
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