Varsovie (Warsaw / Warszawa)

Research Status: Comprehensive Last Updated: 2025-01-24 Diary Coverage: Up to July 1881

Varsovie (Polish: Warszawa, Warsaw) is the capital of Poland. In 1881, it was under Russian control as part of Congress Poland. Marie passes through on her journey from Russia to Western Europe.

Key Diary References:

• July 23, 1881: "A Varsovie on traverse toute la ville pour passer d'une gare à l'autre et nous manquons le train"
• Family stays at the Hôtel d'Europe, the best hotel in the city
• Marie meets M. Paskevitch there, the divorced husband of the woman who married Carlos Hamilton

Historical Context - Warsaw in 1881:

• Capital of Congress Poland (Kingdom of Poland), under Russian control since 1815
• Major city of the Russian Empire
• Center of Polish culture despite Russian political control
• Important railway junction between Russia and Western Europe
• Growing industrial center
• Site of Polish nationalist sentiment and periodic uprisings against Russian rule

Railway Context:

• Multiple railway stations serving different directions
• Travelers had to cross the city to change between stations
• Key transit point between Russian Empire and Germanic Europe (Berlin)
• The inconvenience Marie mentions was common for international travelers

Marie's Experience:

• Brief unplanned stop due to missing their connection
• Stays at the Hôtel d'Europe (premier hotel)
• Social encounter with Russian émigré (Paskevitch)
• Typical transit experience for wealthy Russian families traveling west