Royal Castle

Overview

The Royal Castle on Castle Square is a meticulous reconstruction of the 18th-century residence of the Polish kings, dynamited by the Nazis in 1944 and rebuilt from scratch by public donation between 1971 and 1984.

Highlights

• Canaletto Room: Bernardo Bellotto's 23 panoramic paintings of Warsaw—used as blueprints for the city's postwar reconstruction.
• Throne Room: A gilded Baroque state room recreated from photographs and fragments.
• Marble Room: Portraits of 22 Polish kings lining marble walls.

History

Originally a 14th-century Mazovian castle, it became the royal residence when the capital moved from Kraków to Warsaw in 1596. The Nazis systematically demolished it in 1944.

Visitor Tips

• Free Sundays: Free admission on Sundays (expect queues).
• Audio guide: Essential for understanding the reconstruction story.
• Duration: 1.5–2 hours.