Venue

Travel guide – Venue

Whilst eSPARK entails a fully packed schedule with daily electrochemistry practicals and numerous social events, we aim to give attendees a chance to explore on their own terms during the week. Here, you can find more details about the Institute which hosts us and the city/country you will get to visit.

Institute of Physical Chemistry

eSPARK is hosted at the Institute of Physical Chemistry (IPC), a member of the Polish Academy of Sciences. Since its establishment in 1955, the Institute has maintained its position as a leading research centre, with researchers outputting high-quality scientific publications in renowned journals such as Nature and Science. Accordingly, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education has placed the Institute amongst the highest ranked scientific units in Poland. This is also reflected in the HR Excellence in Research designation received by the Institute for its dedication to supporting its researcher’s careers and producing science that contributes to society. There are currently over 200 researchers employed in the Institute, including 20 professors. These researchers are engaged in multiple interdisciplinary groups that work at the border of chemistry, physics and biology.

Warsaw

The Institute is located in Warsaw, the vibrant capital of Poland and the birthplace of our scientific national pride – the winner of the Nobel Prize in Physics and Chemistry – Maria Skłodowska-Curie. Carrying on the rich tradition of high-quality higher education, this city of two million people also draws tens of thousands of students from Poland and abroad to attend the two largest universities in Warsaw – the University of Warsaw and the Warsaw University of Technology.

Aside from academic institutions, Warsaw has a lot to offer for those looking for a quick city break or a longer stay. Innovative new buildings contrast with historical sites to serve a constant reminder of the destruction resulting from World War II. Undoubtedly, the most interesting places in Warsaw include the Old Town with the Royal Castle, completely rebuilt after its destruction during World War II. It was here that in 1791 the first Constitution in Europe and the second in the world was signed, known in Poland as the Constitution of May 3.

Despite the complete destruction of the city, Warsaw rose from the ruins, giving the center its current modernist appearance – its city skyline is enriched by numerous skyscrapers, which especially delight residents and tourists after dusk. Particularly noteworthy is the Varso Tower building complex, which is the tallest building in the European Union, and the city’s showpiece – the Palace of Culture and Science. In the spring and summer season, the area around the old town becomes more beautiful with shows in the Multimedia Fountain Park.

The green lungs of Warsaw are numerous parks and gardens where Warsaw residents love to spend their free time. You cannot miss the gardens on the roof of the Warsaw University Library – one of the most beautiful roof gardens in all of Europe, whose advanced structure attracts many residents and tourists for long hours of walks. Standing at the top, you can’t resist the phenomenal panorama of the city, revealing all the details of the center, and the proximity of the largest Polish river – the Vistula, allows for an atmosphere of relaxation and reflection.

Moreover, the Łazienki Królewskie palace and garden complex with the famous palace on the water deserves to be called a park with an interesting history. This largest park in Warsaw, prepared in the baroque style, was founded at the end of the 17th century by the last king of Poland – Stanisław August Poniatowski, and it delights with its majesty to this day.

Poland

Poland is the hidden gem of Central Europe that will provide experiences for every type of tourist. Fans of passive relaxation will certainly find their place in the world among the sandy beaches of the Baltic Sea, while connoisseurs of breathtaking views can choose from a wide range of mountain peaks stretching along the entire southern border of the country. However, Poland is not only the sea and mountains – sailboats in the Masurian Lake District are waiting impatiently to take you on an unforgettable journey through picturesque lakes, and the bisons of the Białowieża Forest loudly inform about the upcoming edition of eSPARK: International Summer School on Experimental Electrochemistry.