Etgar Keret is an Israeli writer who is very popular in Poland. I too am a fan. He is known best for his short stories which are amazing and absurd. It's hard to write about them, it's best just to read them, but... hey... why am I writing about him on Spotted by Locals?
I should start from the beginning. Jakub Szczęsny, a young architect, took a look at Warsaw and saw a city broken and later put together out of pieces that didn't necessarily go together. Remnants of pre-war neighborhoods, brand new skyscrapers, social realist apartment blocks and in between bits and pieces of empty spaces and mysterious places left over from decades of recreating Warsaw over and over and over again. And so he decided to fill a 152 centimeter hole in the city. In between the buildings on Chłodna 22 and Żelazna 74 the world's skinniest house was created. At its skinniest point it is a mere 92 centimeters wide. Hard to believe... and also easy to miss if you don't know to look for it!
Keret has spent time in the house and will stay there during his frequent visits to Warsaw and invite guests to join him. When he is away however, the house serves as a creative studio for artists.
It's fitting: a house as amazing and absurd as the writer it was created for.
Keep a look out for Open House days on the website and see the house for yourself!
Find your way with 164 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
"Fort Mokotów" in Warsaw once used to defend the tower. Now it's a venue for restaurant & art gallery events - start from getting a beer from Garden!
By
"Fotoplastikon" (Kaiserpanorama) has one of the oldest machines of its type in the world, projecting not only Warsaw, but also many less expected things...
By
"Zodiak" used to be a famous cafe in Warsaw that was an example of post-war modernist architecture. The neon sign and the glass patter are still there...
By
"Pan tu nie stał" is a very fashionable clothing company that recently opened their first shop in Warsaw. Wearing their wares is a statement...
By
A visit to the "Warsaw Museum of Computers and Games" in Warsaw's Electronic Market will take you back to the golden age of consoles and personal computers
By
"Trzy Kruki" in Warsaw is a big specialist in coffees. I love the sweets too. Pop in for a chat with friends and relax after visiting the city!
By
"Hałas" in Warsaw is one of the cosiest specialty cafes in town with one of the best selections of brand new vinyl records - it will steal your heart!
By
If you are a fan of PRL (People's Republic of Poland) design, you simply MUST visit "Vintage Kolektyw" cafe in Warsaw. Browsing here is highly educational!
By
"Antykwariat Warszawa" in Warsaw has books in Polish, a wide selection of art & culture books, and some books in English. Check their website!
By
"Targowisko Sztuki" is an art market in Warsaw where (ex)students exhibit their work. There's something original for everyone and at fair prices.
By
"Bazar na Kole" in Warsaw amazes me all the time: it's open all year, even with -30 degree temperatures, and has EVERYTHING you might want to buy...
By
164 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
Authentic Stories by Real People
Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌
✓ 0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
✓ 164 Insider Tips