Warsaw Mermaid

Long ago, when Warsaw was a fishing village, mermaids with golden hair lived on the sea and river. One day, one of them set sail south from the Baltic Sea. He swam along the Vistula River, admiring the landscapes, and when he was tired, he decided to rest on the sandy bank of the river at the foot of today’s Old Town. The area looked beautiful to the mermaid. "How nice it is here!" Why shouldn’t I live here? "He thought and did. "We have to do something with this pest!" They shouted.

The animals listened to his song: the beavers lifted the muzzle of the caverns and the cormorants sat on the drifting logs. The fishermen were so moved that they gave up their plans and promised not to harm the mermaid. However, there was a danger for the mermaid. One day the greedy merchant decided to get rich with his beautiful voice by displaying him at fairs. He cheated on him, kidnapped and imprisoned a wooden coffin. The mermaid used to freedom was very unhappy. The son of a fisherman heard his cry, and he and his friends released him and severely punished the evil merchant. The joyful mermaid, grateful to be released again, promised the fishermen that they would watch over them and their village at all times. Over time, the small fishing village became a large and beautiful city.

Today, the coat of arms of Warsaw bears the image of a mermaid armed with a sword and shield. It is said that from time to time a mermaid comes out of the Vistula River and watches the constantly changing capital. Who knows, maybe you’ll see him? Look around carefully, because the mermaid is found in many parts of Warsaw. The Old Town Square, the Vistula River and the Markiewicz Viaduct near Hotel Bristol are home to mermaid monuments.

https://warsawtour.pl/en/legend-about-warsaw-mermaid/

Photo: Guillaume Speurt