If it wasn't for Poland's most famous musician, Żelazowa Wola (zheh-lah-zo -vah vo -lah) wouldn't be on the tourist map. This tiny village 53km west of Warsaw is the birthplace of Frédéric Chopin, and the house where he was born on 22 February 1810 has been restored and furnished in period style to create a museum. It’s a lovely little country house with beautiful gardens, and the exhibits examine the story of the Chopin family's time here. The tranquillity and charm of the place make it a pleasant stop.
Piano recitals, often performed by top-rank virtuosos, are normally held here each Sunday from the first Sunday in May to the last Sunday in September. There are usually two concerts, up to an hour long, at noon and 3pm; there’s no fee other than the park entry ticket. The program can be found at en.chopin.nifc.pl.
