Royal Castle, Warsaw

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This castle that was built in the fourteenth century is a great example of the reconstruction work that Poles did after the Second World War
The building is a replica, but much of the furniture is original because they saved it before the war began
In addition to its large Chambers , the rooms of the Jagiellonian, apartments of the former Royal or the House of Representatives you must save some time to see the paintings of Jan Matejko

Este Castillo que se construyó en el siglo XIV es un gran ejemplo del trabajo de reconstrucción que se propusieron los Polacos después de la Segunda Guerra Mundial
El edificio es una réplica , pero gran cantidad del mobiliario es original pues son originales , pues se guardaron antes de empezar la guerra
Además de sus grandes salones , de las habitaciones de los Jagiellon , de los apartamentos Reales o de la Antigua Cámara de Diputados hay que dejar un hueco para ver los cuadros que hay de Jan Matejko

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The Royal Castle was the residence of the Polish Kings from 1596 until the third partition of Poland in the 18th century. Before, it was the residence of the Dukes of Masovia, dating back to a 13th century wooden building. Today’s castle appearance dates back to the 18th century when the building complex was altered and expanded several times. It was also during this area that tone of the first democratic constitutions in Europe was declared in this castle on May 3rd 1791. In 1944, the castle was blown up by the Nazis and left rotting after the war until 1971. The reconstruction took place until 1988, but already in 1980 it received the UNESCO World Heritage Site status.
The castle has a permanent exhibition about the history of the building and an exhibition space with a permanent art collection. The first contains the Royal Apartments, the parliament chambers and the chapel with the heart of Tadeusz Kosciuszko. The area with the art collection has also occasional temporary exhibitions and has more generous opening times than the castle.

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Although it may not be so obvious now that the Vistula River changed its course, the Royal Castle, then simply the castle of the Mazovian princes, was erected on its high bank over a ravine and the small river Kamionka. More than two centuries later, when Mazovia became part of the Polish Crown in 1526, the castle was soon to become the permanent residence of the Polish kings. For a time it even served as the seat of the Sejm (Polish Parliament). When Poland regained independence after WWI, the Castle became the residence of the President of the Republic. Not for long though. Bombed and partly burnt in 1939, it was still there until 1944 when even that pitiful ruin was blown up by the Nazis in retaliation for the Warsaw Uprising. As I remember it from my childhood days, there was nothing there but a low wall - the foundations and a ruined wall with a window remaining from the Polish writer, Stefan Zeromski's castle flat. Only one part of the Castle had remained - the so-called Palace under the Tin (Palac pod Blacha) as it had a tin roof visible from the side of the river.
It was only in the years 1971 - 1984 that the reconstruction took place. The funds came from individual contributions of Poles from home and abroad. The interiors were decorated with works of art saved from the original castle and the ruins. The Castle came to life again.
You can now see the Great Apartment, the King's Apartments, the Apartments of the Crown Prince and the Houses of Parliament in their former splendour, or as close to it as possible.
Opening hours:
Tue - Sat.: 10 - 18 (last admission around 17)
Sun.-Mon.: 11 -18
Admission: adults - 18 zl, concessions - 12 zl
Available guides in English, French, German, Spanish, Italian and Russian.
To make sure you get in, book your ticket in advance.

Walking throught the interiors of the Royal Castle is like a trip back to the past to the ages when we had kings in Poland. you can see Polish kings' bedroom with surprisingly small bed - my friend said Polish president would fit pretty well in it ;-)
When walking throught the rooms of the Castle remember to see two of the most important Polish paintings - "Rejtan - the fall of the Poland" and "The Costitution of third of May".
too see the paintings click here

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The castle here stood from the beginning of 15th century, as a residence of Mazovian dukes. Later, in 1596, it became an official residence of whole Poland, as king Sigismund II Waza moved here.

Actually the place, as it is, looks more like palace than defensive castle. During Second World War it was burned, but after war it was fully reconstructed. Nowadays here is a museum for glancing at interior (in my opinion, just a predicted way how it looked like) and famous paintings.

It is nice to see the place where common Poland – Lithuania kings were living and working in 17 – 18th centuries.

The entrance fee was 22 zloty for an adult (5,6 euros).

The construction of the Royal Castle dates back to the 17th and 18th century.

During WWII the castle was mined and completely destroyed by the Nazis. The reconstruction in the communist era was mainly done by volunteers and was completed in 1984.

Directions:
The Royal Castle is located in the heart of Warsaw's Old Town at Plac Zamkowy.

Address:
The Royal Castle, Plac Zamkowy 4, Warsaw

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The castle or palace was built for a duke in the 13th Century. It became a king's residence in 1526, and the seat of legislation and administration. During WWII it was robbed and destroyed, but rebuilt 1971-1984.
The castle is open :
May 1st - Sep 30th :
Tuesday - Saturday 10am -4pm
Sunday 11 am -6pm entrance free in June, july and August
Monday 11am -6 pm entrance free in September

In Winter 1st October - 30 April:
Tuesday to Saturday 10 am - 4 pm
Sunday 11am-4 pm
It is closed on 1st January, Easter Sunday and Saturday, 1st May, Ist November, 24 and 25 December
price 12 for route 1 or 20 for route 2

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The architectural style of the castle dates from the 17th and 18th centuries. It was the residence of the Polish kings and the seat of Parliament. It was mined and completely destroyed by the Germans after the Warsaw Uprising (1944). Reconstruction under the post-war communist regime was done by voluntary work and private subscriptions from Poland and abroad. It took 50 years and was officially completed in 1984. Artifacts from pre-war Warsaw are still being discovered around the world and even today some are being returned to the Castle.
The paintings by Canaletto representing 18th century Warsaw were used as references in the reconstruction of Old Town.
The hall of mirrors is a great optical illusion... the workmanship is extraordinary in every room. It is astounding that this was all done by volunteers and donations. One would easily believe that all of it was original architecture and detailing.