Set on a plateau overlooking the River Vistula, Warsaw’s Royal Castle was built in the 14th century as a wooden fortress for the Dukes of Mazovia. It became a royal residence when King Zygmunt III made plans to move the Polish capital to Warsaw from Krakow in 1569 (although the final move to Warsaw was not made until the early 17th century). The castle then remained the seat of the monarchy and the Sejm (Polish parliament) for almost 250 years. In 1918, the castle became the official residence of the Polish president but was completely destroyed by the Nazis during World War II. The building that visitors enter today is thus a remarkable reconstruction, carried out in the 1970s, with only a few parts of the interior salvaged from the ruins. Neo-Baroque rooms are filled with museum pieces, including period furniture, porcelain, tapestries, and Oriental rugs.
Air: Warsaw-Okecie Airport. Rail: Train: Warszawa Centralna (Warsaw Central Station). Tram: Public services. Road: Bus: Public services. Car: E30 (from Berlin and Lodz); E67 (from Wroclaw); E77 (from Gdansk and Krakow).

Zamek Królewski, Plac Zamkowy 4, 00277 Warsaw, Poland
Tel: (022) 657 2170
Website: www.zamek-krolewski.art.pl

Poland