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The last of the dukes had died by the early 16th century, and with no further heirs, Warsaw came under the control of Krakow’s king. In 1596, the king moved the country’s capital to Warsaw from Krakow, transforming it into Poland’s political centre. The city continued to prosper, and develop artistically and culturally into the 18th century, when much of the rest of the country had fallen into decline. In the 19th century, Warsaw came under Russian control and industrialisation drove the life of the city - which also became linked to St Petersburg and Vienna by rail service during this period. Russian control of the city continued until the end of WWI, and after that time, Warsaw once again became the country’s capital. The city’s population grew dramatically, particularly due to an influx of Jews from various regions – eventually constituting up to 40 per cent of the residents. When the war ended in 1945, the arriving Russian troops found little left. Warsaw was rebuilt according to its original design, although with a heavy communist influence, as seen in the predominance of massive concrete block structures. Modern Warsaw continues to change in appearance, as new buildings take their place in the city’s skyline and the Soviet-era buildings are being replaced with more pleasing architecture. The city remains the capital of the country - which has come into its own as a full member of the European Union. | |
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