World Monuments Fund's Photo Contest Winners have been announced. There are 5 Winners and 10 Finalists. My photo of Warsaw’s Old Town is on the 1st. place among 10 finalists.

Les gagnants de Concours de Photo du Fonds Mondial pour les Monuments ont été annoncés. Il y a 5 Gagnants et 10 Finalistes. Ma photo de la Vieille Ville de Varsovie reprend la 1ère place parmi 10 finalistes.

Zwycięzcy Konkursu Fotograficznego World Monuments Fund zostali ogłoszeni. Jest 5 Zwycięzców i 10 Finalistów. Moje zdjęcie Starego Miasta w Warszawie znajduje się na I miejscu wśród 10 finalistów.

Warsaw Old Town was established in the 13th century.  Rich settlers developed the modest area into a rich city. The dynamic development of the Old Town was initiated by the decision of King Zygmunt III Waza to move capitol from Kraków to Warsaw.  The peak of the reputation of the Old Town was reached in the XVII century. WW II and the 1944 Warsaw Uprising brought unbelievable destruction. The city was punished by wiping it off the map of Europe. 90% of the Old Town lay in ruins. It was not even certain if Warsaw was to be rebuilt as the capital city again. The reconstruction started in 1945 and its first phase was finalized in 1953. But the Royal Castle was opened to the public in 1984.  In 1980 the reconstruction of the Old Town was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List.

5 Winners are available at

http://www.flickr.com/photos/worldmonumentsfund/sets/72157635451079205/

10 Finalists are available at

http://www.flickr.com/photos/worldmonumentsfund/sets/72157635450762447/