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Royal Castle Warsaw

Warsaw Royal Castle

Royal Castle Warsaw – updated 10 January 2023.

The Royal Castle in Warsaw is a beautiful palace located in the heart of the city. It has a rich history and is considered to be one of the most important cultural and historical sites in Poland.

The castle was originally built in the 14th century as a residence for the Dukes of Mazovia. It was later expanded and renovated over the centuries, and became the residence of the Polish kings in the 16th century. The castle was the seat of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth’s government and the residence of the Polish monarchs for several centuries.

World War II

The castle was heavily damaged during World War II, and the palace was rebuilt in the 1970s and 1980s to its former glory using old plans, drawings, paintings and photographs. Today, the castle serves as a museum and cultural center.

Wooden stronghold

The very first version of the castle was actually a wooden stronghold dating back to the 14^th century built for the dukes of Mazovia and since then it has been the residence of Polish kings in addition to being the home of the president and also the seat of parliament.

17^th century

Back in the 17^th century Royal Castle Warsaw was one of the most splendid royal palaces in Europe and today; it is filled with authentic furniture from that period and many original works of art.

Reconstruction

Reconstruction of the castle did not start until 1971 and took 13 years to complete at immense cost with the majority of the funds having been donated from exiled Poles. During the reconstruction, bricks and rubble from the original structure were used.

Interiors

The castle’s interiors are particularly impressive, with ornate rooms, including the Great Apartment, which features frescoes and stucco decoration, and the Royal Chapel, which is home to a beautiful Baroque altar and frescoes. The castle also has a number of art galleries and exhibition halls.

Guided tours

The Royal Castle is a popular tourist destination and is open to visitors year-round. Visitors can take guided tours of the castle to learn more about its history and see its many rooms and features. The Castle Square, where the Royal Castle is located, is also a vibrant part of Warsaw’s Old Town, and it’s a great place to start exploring the city.

The highlights of the tour are the Great Apartments, which includes the Great Assembly Hall and lavishly decorated Throne Room and the King’s Apartments.

Rembrandt

Within the King’s Apartments is the Canaletto Room where you will find 22 paintings by Bernardo Bellotto, an Italian urban landscape painter who was known in Poland as Canaletto. This room also houses the Lanckoroński Collection, which includes two portraits painted by Rembrandt.

The King’s Apartments are adorned with many paintings depicting famous Polish events which hang alongside maps depicting a golden time when Poland stretched from the Baltic Sea to the Black Sea.

Tadeusz Kościuszko

During the tour, you will also visit the chapel with an urn containing the heart of Tadeusz Kościuszko, a Polish hero.

Ghost story

As is the case with many castles in Poland, there is a ghost story. In this case we have a White Lady who appears from time to time in some of the castle halls. Legend states that her appearance is linked to imminent danger.

The French Baroque Royal Gardens are delightful and can be found at the rear of the castle near the river.

It’s also worth mentioning that the Royal Castle is one of the most important symbols of Poland and Warsaw and it played a significant role in the country’s history, both in its past and its modern history, it is definitely a must-see location when in Warsaw.

Warsaw Tours & Experiences

Rembrandt Royal Castle Warsaw Warsaw

polandtravel

February 3, 2021

Krzyztopor Castle

Krzyztopor Castle, Ujazd

Krzyztopor Castle – updated 10 January 2023

The castle is located in the tiny village of Ujazd, 35km from the town of Sandomierz. The castle is in ruins today but still attracts many visitors who are free to explore the grounds, ascend the turrets and ponder its remarkable, yet bizarre history. It is considered to be one of the most impressive and well-preserved Renaissance castles in Europe.

Krzysztof Ossoliński

The castle was commissioned in the 17^th century by Krzysztof Ossoliński, an eccentric magnate with a fantastical imagination and it took 13 years to build (1631 to 1644). The construction was supervised and designed by Lorenzo Muretto, an Italian architect who was one of the few people around during this time who could create Ossolinski’s dream. The castle is known for its unique and irregular hexagonal design, and its many towers, battlements and bastions. The architecture of the castle is a blend of Renaissance and Mannerist styles, with elements of Gothic design.

A work of fantasy

Krzyztopor Castle was indeed a work of fantasy, with immense stone walls; which were 600 metres long. It was designed to embody a calendar. It had four towers to represent the four seasons, twelve large halls to symbolise the twelve months of the year, fifty two rooms for the fifty two weeks and three hundred and sixty six windows to represent the days of the year (one only to be used during a leap year).

When construction of the castle was complete, it was known as an unconquerable fortress due to its modern fortifications and location.

Supposedly, the ball room within the castle had an aquarium in place of the ceiling and some of the cellars were used as stables for the owner’s 370 white stallions.

Invaders

The castle was turned into the headquarters of Swedish invaders in 1655 who left the once magnificent structure destroyed and looted and was eventually abandoned in 1770 when the owners at the time were unable to maintain it and the structure fell into ruin.

Interior

The castle’s interior is just as impressive as its exterior, with beautifully decorated rooms, each with their own unique style. Some of the most notable rooms include the Great Hall, which features frescoes depicting scenes from Greek and Roman mythology, and the Knight’s Hall, which features a fireplace made of black marble.

Underground tunnel

There are also rumours about the cellars being adorned with black marble and mirrors, underfloor heating and a 15 km underground tunnel covered in sugar.

Ossolinski was unfortunately unable to enjoy his version of Neverland because he died from a heart attack just one year after its completion leaving the estate to his son, a captain in the Polish Hussars, who now supposedly haunts the ruins of the castle at night wearing his armour.

Beware of the ghosts

Today, the castle is rumoured to be haunted not only by the Polish Hussars captain and son of Krzysztof Ossoliński; but also, a White Lady and her little white dog who continue to appear on the castle walls together on certain nights.

Krzyżtopór Castle is a national monument and is considered to be one of Poland’s most important historical sites. It is a popular tourist destination, and attracts many visitors each year who are interested in the history and architecture of the castle.

Visit the official Krzyztopor Castle website.