Royal Castle

Painted a brilliant orange red, the Royal Castle in the Castle Square at the entrance to Old Town is eye-catching and imposing. It was the official residence of the Polish monarch from the 16th century until the partition of Poland. For all its outward beauty and serenity, it has had a troubled history. Constantly plundered and destroyed by invading armies, it faced the maximum damage during the invasion by Nazi Germany in 1939 and the failed Warsaw Uprising in 1944. It was completely rebuilt later and became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980. The façade is 90 metres long and the corners are topped by domed spires. Inside, the royal apartments still retain some of the imperial majesty with paintings, armaments, throne and exquisite embellishments.