The Royal Castle in Warsaw has historically been the official residence of Polish monarchs from the 16th century until Poland's partitions in the late 18th century. It has been repeatedly damaged during wars and occupied by foreign powers such as Sweden, Prussia, and Russia over the centuries. However, it was also the site where the May 3rd, 1791, Polish constitution was drafted. After World War 2, the castle was rebuilt after being devastated during the war. Today it operates as a museum and national monument commemorating Poland's royal heritage.

2. The Royal Castle in Warsaw (Polish: Zamek Królewski w Warszawie)
is a royal palace and was the official residence of the Polish monarchs. It is located
in the Plac Zamkowy in Warsaw, at the entrance to the Old Town.
The personal offices of the king and the administrative offices of the Royal Court of
Poland were located there from the 16th century until the Partitions of Poland. In
its long history the Royal Castle was repeatedly devastated and plundered by
Swedish, Brandenburgian. German, and Russian armies.
The Constitution of May 3, 1791, Europe's first modern codified national
constitution, as well as the second-oldest national constitution in the world, was
drafted here by the Four-Year Sejm. In the 19th century, after the collapse of the
November Uprising, it was used as an administrative center by the Tsar. Between
1926 and World War II the palace was the seat of the Polish president, Ignacy
Mościcki. After the devastation of World War II it was rebuilt and reconstructed.
Today it is a historical and national monument, and is listed as a national museum.

3. Władysław IV Waza
Successive owners of the Castle
Jan II Kazimierz Waza Michał Korybut
Wiśniowiecki
Jan III Sobieski
August II Sas Stanisław Leszczyński August III Sas Stanisław August
Poniatowski

4. PLAN OF FOUNDATION OF CASTLE
(gray indicates a plan today,
red plan of XV c.)
1. Great Tower
2. Curia Maior (big house)
3 Curia minor (smaller house)
4. Royal bedroom
5. Judicial shed
6. Krakowska Gate
7. Collegiate Church of St. John

5. Royal Castle in Warsaw in 1920

6. The Royal Castle in Warsaw burning 17.09.1939 after a German shellfire.

7. Remains of the Royal Castle in Warsaw, capital of Poland - blowed up by German forces on 27
november 1944, according to Adolf Hitler`s order. Photo done in the middle of 1945.

8. Warsaw by Bernardo Belotto (Canaletto II)

10. Castle in the winter robe

11. Castel from other side, in down comunication tunnels

12. Kubicki Arcade
on the project of reconstruction eastern facade of the Royal Castle in Warsaw
by Jakub Kubicki, from the years 1816-1818

13. Kubicki Arcade and rear of the castle.

15. Arcade, built with extraordinary momentum in the years 1818-21 by the architect
James Kubicki as a Castle Terrace, which contain underneath the cobbled street with a
length of 200 meters. Now this space has been equipped with giant skylights and the
street turned into a great, a little unconventional but very beautifull interior of the
castle.

17. Chamber of Deputies of Polish Seym in Warsaw Royal Castle

18. Knights' Hall

19. Knights' Hall

20. Little Chapel of the castle

21. Throne Hall

23. Royal Cabinet - general view

25. Vestibule before the Great Hall, also called the Great Anti-Chambre.

26. Vestibule of Grand Hall;
paintings by Noël Hallé

27. Marble Room;
was used as a second vestibule
in the apartment

28. Plafond painted by Marcello Bacciarelli

29. Sala Wielka

35. Canaletto Room

36. Apartment of Prince Stanislaus

37. Oval Gallery

38. Music room

39. Royal bedroom

41. Stanislaw August Poniatowski,
the last Polish king;
portrait painted by Marcello
Bacciarelli:
in the castle collection.

42. Music - W. A. Mozart, Minuet
Illustrations of the web sites had chosen - Anna