The Mermaid, Warsaw

The Baltic Sea was home to two mermaids once upon a time. These half-women, half-fish sisters eventually got bored of their aquatic life. Their decision to come to the shore led the first sister to the Danish Straits. She settled at the Port of Copenhagen entrance. The other sister reached the port of Gdansk and then swam across the river Vistula right to the end. She finally rested on a sandy bank at the foot of Old Town in Warsaw.

When the fishermen here found that someone was letting their hard caught fishes go, they were furious and decided to punish the culprit. When they found that it was none other than the mermaid, they decided to let her stay. For their generosity, the villagers were entertained by the mermaid every evening with lilting songs.

When a rich merchant decided to make money showcasing here at a fair, he captured her and kept her in a wooden shed. A village lad heard her cries and set her free with the help of his friends. In gratitude, the mermaid promised to defend the village which later grew into the city of Warsaw.

Today, the mermaid stands in defense wielding a sword and carrying a shield. She continues to protect the city of Warsaw. Enjoy a visit to the mermaid’s statue at the Old Town.