Editing Royal Castle, Warsaw

{{Short description|Castle in Warsaw, Poland}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2019}}
{{infobox building
| name = Royal Castle
| native_name = {{lang|pl|Zamek Królewski}}
| image = {{Photomontage
  |color=#ffffff
  | photo1a = Royal Castle in Warsaw, Poland, 2022, 03.jpg{{!}}The western façade
  | photo2a = Zamek Krolewski W Warszawie (152972929).jpeg{{!}}The eastern façade
  | spacing = 2
  | border = 0
  | size = 240
}}
| image_size = 240px
| alt =
| caption = View from [[Castle Square, Warsaw|Castle Square]] (top) and from the [[Vistula]] River (bottom) 
| former_names =
| alternate_names =
| building_type = [[Castle|Castle residency]]
| architectural_style = [[Mannerist architecture and sculpture in Poland|Mannerist]]-[[Baroque architecture|Baroque]]
| structural_system =
| cost =
| client = [[Sigismund III Vasa]]
| current_tenants =
| landlord =
| location_country = {{flag|Poland}}
| mapframe-frame-width=240
| mapframe=yes
| mapframe-caption=Interactive fullscreen map
| mapframe-zoom=14
| mapframe-marker=museum
| mapframe-wikidata=yes
| coordinates={{WikidataCoord|display=it}}
| altitude =
| start_date = 1598,<ref name="Web">{{cite news |url=http://www.zamek-krolewski.pl/?page=1059|title=History of Royal Castle – official website|date=16 May 2010 }}</ref> 1971<ref name="Web" />
| completion_date = 1619,<ref name="Web" /> 1984<ref name="Web" />
| inauguration_date =
| demolition_date = [[Warsaw Uprising|10 – 13 September 1944]]<br>([[German Army (1935–1945)|German Army]])<ref name="Web" />
| height = 60 
metres
| diameter =
| other_dimensions =
| floor_count =
| floor_area =
| main_contractor =
| architect = [[Matteo Castelli]], [[Giovanni Battista Trevano]], [[Gaetano Chiaveri]]
| structural_engineer =
| services_engineer =
| civil_engineer =
| other_designers =
| quantity_surveyor =
| awards =
| website = {{URL|www.zamek-krolewski.pl}}
| references =
| footnotes = {{designation list | embed = yes
   | designation1 = WHS
   | designation1_partof = [[Old Town, Warsaw|Historic Centre of Warsaw]]
   | designation1_number = [https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/30 30bis]
   | designation1_criteria = ii, vi
   | designation1_type = Cultural
   | designation1_free1name = UNESCO region
   | designation1_free1value = [[List of World Heritage Sites in Europe|Europe]]
   |designation2=Historic Monument of Poland
   |designation2_date=1994-09-08
   |designation2_partof=Warsaw – historic city center with the Royal Route and Wilanów
   |designation2_number=M.P. 1994 nr 50 poz. 423<ref>{{Cite Polish law|title=Zarządzenie Prezydenta Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej z dnia 8 września 1994 r. w sprawie uznania za pomnik historii|gazette=Monitor|year=1994|volume=50|number=423}}</ref>
}}}}

The '''Royal Castle in Warsaw''' ({{langx|pl|Zamek Królewski w Warszawie}} {{IPA|pl|ˈzamɛk kruˈlɛfskʲi v varˈʂavjɛ|}}) is a state museum and a [[List of Historic Monuments (Poland)|national historical monument]], which formerly served as the official [[Castle|royal residence]] of several [[List of Polish rulers|Polish monarchs]]. The personal offices of the king and the administrative offices of the royal court were located in the Castle from the 16th century until the final [[Partitions of Poland|partition of Poland]] in 1795. Situated in the [[Castle Square, Warsaw|Castle Square]], at the entrance to the [[Old Town, Warsaw|Old Town]], the Royal Castle holds a significant collection of Polish and European art.

The Royal Castle witnessed many notable events in Poland's history; the [[Constitution of 3 May 1791]], first of its type in Europe and the world's second-oldest codified national constitution, was drafted here by the [[Great Sejm|Four-Year Parliament]].<ref>{{cite web  |url = http://www.zamek-krolewski.pl/?page=1080 |title = Sale Sejmowe |work = zamek-krolewski.pl |access-date = 18 July 2008|language=pl}}</ref> The edifice was redesigned into a [[Neoclassical architecture|neoclassical]] style following the [[partitions of Poland]]. Under the [[Second Polish Republic]] (1918–1939), it was the seat of the Polish head of state and president. The [[Second World War]] brought complete destruction to the building; in September 1939 it was targeted and ignited by [[Luftwaffe]] fighter aircraft, and then detonated by the [[Nazi Germany|Nazis]] after the failed [[Warsaw Uprising]] in 1944. 

In 1965, the surviving wall fragments, cellars, the adjacent [[Copper-Roof Palace]] and the [[Jakub Kubicki|Kubicki]] Arcades were registered as historical monuments. Reconstruction was carried out in the years 1971–1984, during which it regained its original 17th-century appearance. In 1980, the Royal Castle and surrounding Old Town became a [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage Site]]. It is the second most visited art museum in Poland (after the [[Wawel Castle]] in [[Kraków]]) and the [[List of most-visited art museums|31st most visited art museum in the world]] with over 2.14 million visitors in 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lee Cheshire and Elena Goukassian |date=2025-04-01 |title=The world’s most-visited museums 2024: normality returns—for some |url=https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2025/04/01/the-worlds-most-visited-museums-2024- |access-date=2025-05-16 |website=[[The Art Newspaper]] |language=en}}</ref>

== History ==
{{main|History of the Royal Castle, Warsaw}}
=== Overview ===
The history of the castle dates back to the 14th century when the first Castle Tower was constructed, and the fortified complex was initially used as the residence of the [[Duchy of Masovia|Masovian]] dukes. In the early 1600s, it was designated to replace [[Wawel Castle]] in [[Kraków]] as the seat of the king, [[Sejm of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth|Parliament]] (Chamber of Deputies and Senate), and the [[Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth]]. The medieval [[Gothic architecture|Gothic]] structure was remodeled into Italian [[Mannerist architecture|mannerism]] by architects [[Matteo Castelli]] and [[Giovanni Battista Trevano]]. The [[Baroque architecture|Baroque]] easternmost wing was designed by [[Gaetano Chiaveri]] and completed in 1747.

=== Castle in the Middle Ages ===
[[File:VarsaviaCastelloCorteAlaGotica.jpg|thumb|right|Medieval wall of the ''Curia Maior'']]

In 1339, the [[Papal Legate]] in [[Warsaw]]<ref name="Suchodolska" /> heard a case brought by the King of [[Kingdom of Poland|Poland]], [[Casimir III the Great]], against the German [[Teutonic Order]]. He claimed that they had illegally seized a slice of Polish territory — the [[Pomerania]] and [[Kuyavia]] regions. The documents in this case are the earliest written testimony to the existence of [[Warsaw]]. At that time a fortified town surrounded by earthen and wooden [[defensive wall|ramparts]], and situated where the Royal Castle now stands, it was the seat of Trojden, [[duke of Masovia]]. At the end of the 13th century, during the Duke Conrad's rule, the wooden-earthen [[Gord (Slavic settlement)|gord]] called "Small Manor" ({{langx|la|Curia Minor}}) was erected. The next duke, [[Casimir I of Poland|Casimir I]], decided to build the Great Tower ({{langx|la|Turris Magna}}), possibly one of the first brick building in Warsaw.

In the middle of the 14th century, the Castle Tower was built, and its remains up to the first storey have survived to this day. During the reign over Masovia by Duke [[Janusz I of Warsaw|Janusz I the Elder]], the ''Curia Maior'' (Big Manor) was erected between 1407 and 1410.<ref name="Suchodolska" /> Its façade, which was still standing in 1944, was [[Planned destruction of Warsaw|knocked down by the Germans]], but has been rebuilt since then. The character of the new residence and its size (47.5 m/14.5 m) decided the change of the buildings status, and from 1414, it functioned as a Prince Manor.

=== Renaissance period ===
[[File:Plan Castle Warsaw 17th.jpg|thumb|left|The Royal Castle in Warsaw after the extension c 1600. Plan from the beginning of the 17th century.]]

When the [[Duchy of Masovia]] was incorporated in the [[Kingdom of Poland (1385–1569)|Kingdom of Poland]] in 1526, the edifice, which until then had been the Castle of the Dukes of Masovia, became one of the royal residences.<ref name="Wrede" /> From 1548 onwards Queen [[Bona Sforza]] resided in it with her daughters [[Isabella Jagiełło|Izabela]], who became Queen of [[Kingdom of Hungary|Hungary]], [[Catherine Jagiellon|Catherine]], later to become Queen of Sweden, and [[Anna Jagiellon]], later [[Queen of Poland]].<ref name="Wrede" /> In 1556–1557 and in 1564, the King of Poland, [[Sigismund II Augustus]], convened royal parliaments in [[Warsaw]]. They met in the castle.<ref name="Gessner" /> Following the [[Lublin Union]] (1569), by which the [[Polish Crown]] and the [[Grand Duchy of Lithuania]] – were united as a single country, Warsaw Castle was regularly the place where the [[Sejm of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth|parliament]] of the Two-Nations State met.<ref name="Wrede" /> In 1569–1572, King Sigismund II Augustus started alterations in the castle, the architects being [[Giovanni Battista di Quadro]]<ref name="dziedzictwo" /> and Giacopo Pario.<ref name="Wrede" />

The ''Curia Maior'' was altered so as provide a meeting place for the Parliament, with premises for the Chamber of Deputies (''Sejm'' – delegates of the gentry) on the ground floor (''the Old Chamber of Deputies''), and the Senate Chamber (where the Senators debated in the presence of the King) on the first floor. This was one of the first attempts in Europe to create a building that would be used solely for parliamentary purposes.<ref name="Wrede" /> The parliamentary character of the ''Curia Maior'' is stressed by the paintings of the facade – the coats-of-arms of Poland, of Lithuania, and of the various regions from which the delegates were elected. A new [[Renaissance architecture|Renaissance style]] building, known as the "Royal House", was erected next to the ''Curia Maior''.<ref name="Wrede" /> The king resided there when the parliament was in session.

=== Vasa period and the Deluge ===
[[File:Zamek Królewski w Warszawie - 01.jpg|thumb|[[Władysław IV|Władysław]]'s Tower]]
[[File:Opera Hall Castle Warsaw.jpg|thumb|Władysław's Opera Hall]]
[[File:The Royal Castle 1, Warsaw.jpg|thumb|left|The Royal Castle in 1656]]

The next alterations to the castle were made in the reign of [[Sigismund III Vasa]], who transferred the royal residence from [[Kraków]] to [[Warsaw]].<ref name="Wrede1"/> In 1598–1619, the castle was enlarged. [[Giovanni Trevano]] was in charge of the reconstruction.<ref name="Wrede1"/> His plans were probably amended by the Venetian architect [[Vincenzo Scamozzi]].<ref name="perelki" />

Between 1601 and 1603, Giacomo Rodondo<ref name="Wrede1"/> finished the new northern wing. From 1602 Paolo del Corte<ref name="Wrede1"/> was doing stonework. Later after 1614, when Matteo Castelli<ref name="Wrede1"/> took the lead, the western wing was built (from today's [[Castle Square, Warsaw|Plac Zamkowy]] side) as chancelleries and a marshals office.<ref name="dziedzictwo" /> The southern wing was built at the end. In that way, five-wings in a [[Mannerist architecture and sculpture in Poland|mannerist]]-early baroque style were built. In 1619, the New Royal Tower ({{langx|la|Nova Turris Regia}}), also called Sigismund's Tower, was finished. It was 60 meters high and was placed in the middle of a newly built west castle 90 meters in length. At the top of the tower, a clock with gilded hands and copper face was placed. The new tower's spire was 13 meters high and had glided knobs and a copper flag at the top.

On 29 October 1611 in the Senator's Chamber, Tsar [[Vasili IV of Russia]], who had been captured by the hetman [[Stanisław Żółkiewski]], paid homage to the Polish king Sigismund III Vasa.

Sigismund III and his successors of the [[House of Vasa|Vasa dynasty]] — [[Władysław IV Vasa]] and [[John II Casimir Vasa]] — collected many rich works of art in the castle, such as oriental fabrics, tapestries, and numerous paintings by such famous artists as [[Titian]], [[Paolo Veronese|Veronese]], [[Jacopo Bassano|Jacopo]] and [[Leandro Bassano]], [[Tintoretto]], [[Palma il Giovane]], [[Antonio Vassilacchi]], [[Tommaso Dolabella]], [[Guercino]],<ref name=Tarandaite/> [[Guido Reni]],<ref name=Tarandaite/> [[Joseph Heintz the Elder]],<ref name=Tarandaite/> [[Bartholomeus Spranger]],<ref name=Tarandaite/> [[Roelant Savery]],<ref name=Tarandaite/> [[Rembrandt]],<ref name=Tarandaite/> [[Pieter Soutman]], [[Peter Danckerts de Rij]], [[Peter Paul Rubens]],<ref name=Tarandaite/> [[Jan Brueghel the Elder]],<ref name=Tarandaite/> [[Daniel Seghers]], [[Georg Daniel Schultz]] and sculptures by [[Giambologna]], [[Giovanni Francesco Susini]] and [[Adriaen de Vries]]. These splendid works of art were either destroyed or plundered during the invasions of Poland by Sweden and Russia during the [[Deluge (history)|Deluge]], in 1655–1657.<ref name="Wrede1"/> The Swedes took all the priceless pictures, furniture, tapestries, the royal library, the crown archive, numerous sculptures, whole floors and royal flags.<ref name="dziedzictwo" /> In the castle they had a military ''Lazareth'' field hospital, which additionally contributed to the devastation of the buildings.<ref name="Wrede1"/> A few months later armies destroyed the rest, plundering most of the copper elements and tearing up the rest of castle's floor.<ref name="Wrede1"/>

The majority of the preserved castle furnishings from the Vasa period found their place in the collection of the [[Visitationist Church|Visitationist Monastery]] in Warsaw as donations from the last Vasa, John II Casimir and his French-born wife [[Marie Louise Gonzaga]].<ref name=Fryz/>

In 1628, the first [[Polish opera]] – ''Galatea'', was staged at the Castle. The great opera hall (double-storied, over 50&nbsp;m long), which existed at the Royal Castle,<ref name="Wrede1"/> was demolished by Swedes and Germans and rebuilt in the 1660s by King John II Casimir.<ref name="opera" />

=== Late Baroque period ===
[[File:Jauch Royal Castle in Warsaw.jpg|thumb|right|Reconstruction design of the Royal Castle, {{Circa|1700}}.]]
[[File:Design Chiaveri Warsaw.JPG|thumb|right|Design of the Eastern wing by G. Chiaveri.]]
[[File:Senate Chambre Warsaw 18th.JPG|thumb|right|Senate Chamber at the Royal Castle, 1720.]]
[[File:Envoy chambre Warsaw 17th.JPG|thumb|left|''The New Chamber of Deputies'' at the Royal Castle in the end of the 17th century.]]

In 1657, the reconstruction of the castle started, under the Italian architect Izydor Affait's guidance. Because of the lack of money, the following Polish king, [[Michał Korybut Wiśniowiecki|Michael I Korybut]] did not decide on radical rebuilding, just limiting himself to rebuilding destroyed buildings. Because of the bad conditions of the residence, he had to move to [[Ujazdów Castle]] in 1669. Until 1696, when the next Polish king, [[John III Sobieski]], died, no serious works were done. They only limited work to current inspections of the building's condition. Sessions of [[Sejm of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth|Parliament]] continued to be held in the castle, as well as various State occasions, such as when the [[House of Hohenzollern|Hohenzollern dukes of Prussia]] paid homage to the kings of Poland and occasions when the king received the ambassadors of foreign countries.

After choosing [[Augustus II]] in an election in 1697, the castle again began to deteriorate. A new conflict with [[Charles XII of Sweden]] significantly limited the king's budget. Despite problems, in 1698 Augustus II commissioned a residence reconstruction project. In 1700 it was done by Johann Friedrich Karcher, who came from abroad.<ref name="saxons">{{cite web  |url = http://swiadectwo1.republika.pl/royal_castle.html |title = Zamek Królewski za Sasów |access-date = 23 July 2008|language=pl}}</ref> On 25 May 1702 the Swedes re-seized the Royal Castle in Warsaw, creating a hospital with 500 beds, and into the Chamber of Deputies and ministers' rooms, they placed a stable.<ref name="saxons" /> During the Polish army's siege in 1704 the castle was retaken.<ref name="saxons" /> However, it was soon retaken once more by Sweden's army.<ref name="saxons" /> In 1707, by virtue of the peace treaty between Augustus II and Charles XII of Sweden, Russian allied troops entered Warsaw, and Tsar [[Peter I of Russia]] settled in the castle.<ref name="saxons" /> After two months, Russian forces were removed from Warsaw, taking with them works of art from the castle, including [[Tommaso Dolabella]]'s pictures, which included two that were very important for Russians: ''The Defense of Smolensk'' and ''Russian Tsar Vasili IV compelled to kneel before Polish King Sigismund III of Poland''.<ref name="saxons" /> Władysław IV's Opera Hall was completely devastated and was never restored.<ref name="opera" />

The reconstruction according to Karcher's plans began from 1713 to 1715.<ref name="saxons" /> In 1717 the Parliament Hall was completely rebuilt.<ref name="saxons" /> It was used to serve the Saxon rulers as a coronation hall. During the following years, between 1722 and 1723, the other castle halls were converted-under the direction of architect [[Joachim Daniel von Jauch]], the new Senate Chamber was built, and all the furnishings moved from the old to the new location, including among others: 60 Polish provincial emblems, panelling, mouldings and ''[[lesene]]''.<ref name="saxons" /> On 31 May 1732, a fire broke out in the castle destroying the west elevation and part of the Sigismund's Tower and the exterior façade sculptures, known as [[Armature (sculpture)|armature]].

The next reconstruction project of the Royal Castle appeared after [[Augustus III]] was elected to the Polish throne in 1733. New plans, which were formed in 1734 and developed in 1737 by architect [[Gaetano Chiaveri]], saw among other things, the reconstruction of the castle's façade on the [[Vistula]] side in the [[Rococo architecture|rococo style]], which was meant to form a new so called Saxon elevation and also the conversion of the north-east part with the Altana Tower, where it was planned for 3 two-storey [[avant-corps]] (risalto) to be built on.<ref name="perelki" /><ref name="saxons" /> The reconstruction work according to these plans was carried out with various intensity between 1740 and 1752. During the period of 1740–1747, the façade on the Vistula side was reconstructed in the late baroque style (architects: Gaetano Chiaveri, Carl Friedrich Pöppelmann, Jan Krzysztof Knöffel).<ref name="saxons" /> One of the best sculptors who did work on the castle in this period was [[Jan Jerzy Plersch]], who made the royal decorative frames, mouldings and statues called the Famous Figures, which held the royal crowns on the top of the middle [[risalto]], of the Saxon elevation, on the Vistula side. The last reconstruction work of this period was finished by late 1763, after the death of Augustus III, when Plersch made the last sculptures and frames with province emblems for the Parliament Hall.<ref name="saxons" />

=== Enlightenment period ===
[[File:Senate Chamber design Warsaw Louis.JPG|thumb|left|Reconstruction design of the Senate Chamber at the Royal Castle, V. Louis.]]
[[File:Stanislai.PNG|thumb|left|Apotheosis of King Stanisław II Augustus in the Ballroom, André le Brun, ca. 1780.]]

The most splendid period in the history of the Castle was during the rule of [[Stanisław II Augustus]] (1764–1795).
This monarch collected exquisite works of art, many of which have survived to this day. He recruited first-rate architects such as [[Jakub Fontana]], [[Domenico Merlini]], [[Jan Chrystian Kamsetzer]], and [[Jakub Kubicki]], to work on the castle, as well as splendid painters such as [[Marcello Bacciarelli]], [[Bernardo Bellotto]], [[Franciszek Smuglewicz]], [[Kazimierz Wojniakowski]], and [[Jean-Baptiste Pillement]] and eminent sculptors such as [[André-Jean Lebrun]] and Jakub Monaldi, and famous French artists such as the architect [[Victor Louis]].<ref name="dziedzictwo" /> The total reconstruction of the castle planned by the King did not come to fruition, but the interior was changed to the neoclassical style – although this, known in Poland as the ''Stanisław Augustus style'', was rather different from [[neoclassicism]] in the rest of Europe.

[[File:Reconstruction design Castle Warsaw Fontana.JPG|thumb|Reconstruction design of the Royal Castle in Warsaw by [[Jakub Fontana|J. Fontana]]]]
[[File:Kazimierz Wojniakowski, Uchwalenie Konstytucji 3 Maja.jpg|thumb|In 1791, the ''Great Sejm'' (or ''[[Four-Year Sejm]]'') of 1788–1792 and Senate adopt the [[May 3rd Constitution]] at the Royal Castle.]]

During 1766–1785 on the basis of Jakub Fontana's plans,<ref name="Gessner"/> the southern wing of the castle, which was burnt on 15 December 1767 was rebuilt (2 destroyed floors, a new elevation on the south side with three avant-corps or [[risalti]], the division of the façade by ''lesene'' and pilasters with Ionic capitals).<ref name="perelki" /> Between 1774 and 1777, the monarch's private apartments were furnished.<ref name="perelki" /> They consisted of the Prospect Room (with landscapes by [[Bernardo Bellotto|Canaletto]]), the chapel, the Audience Chamber, and the Bedchamber, while between 1779 and 1786 the Senate Apartments were completed, consisting of the Ballroom, the Knights Hall, the Throne Room, the Marble Room, and the Conference Chamber.<ref name="dziedzictwo" /> These rooms contained pictures and sculptures depicting great events in Poland's history, as well as portraits of Polish kings, generals, statesmen and scholars (including [[Copernicus]] and [[Adam Naruszewicz]]).<ref name="Gessner"/> In 1777, a gilded bronze altar presented to King Stanisław II Augustus by [[Pope Clement XIV]], was installed in the new Chapel of the Royal Castle, so-called Saxon Chapel (today's concert hall).<ref name="altar" /> The castle also housed the rich royal collections including 3200 pictures, classical statues, about 100 000 graphics, in addition to medals, coins, and a fine [[Library at the Royal Castle, Warsaw|library]], to house which a separate building was erected in 1780–1784.<ref name="biblioteki">{{cite web |author = Agnieszka Kania; Monika Bryzek |url = http://www.wsp.krakow.pl/whk/biblioteki/poniatow.html |title = Biblioteka Stanisława Augusta Poniatowskiego (Library of Stanisław August Poniatowski) |work = wsp.krakow.pl |access-date = 23 July 2008 |language = pl |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080524084839/http://www.wsp.krakow.pl/whk/biblioteki/poniatow.html |archive-date = 24 May 2008 |df = dmy-all }}</ref> The new library building housed many books, gems, drawings, coins, maps and plans belonging to the monarch. The Royal Library's book collection amounted to 16 000 volumes of various works, 25,525 drawings, 44,842 etchings in 726 bound volumes, overall a number of 70,000 etchings—fancy dress balls were also held in this hall.<ref name="biblioteki" />

Up until 1786 Stanisław II Augustus tried a few times to change the outside decor of the castle and to build an architectural castle square, he was not however successful in carrying out these plans.

During this period, the castle was the place where the ideas of the [[Polish Enlightenment]] first flourished. The King held "Thursday lunches" at the Castle for scientists, scholars, writers, and artists. This was where the idea for the [[National Education Commission]]; one of the first secular Ministries of Education in Europe, was mooted. The castle was the place where the first proposals were made for a [[Szkoła Rycerska|Knights' School]], and for a [[National Theatre, Warsaw|national theatre]]. It was in the Senate Chamber in the Castle that what was known as the "[[Great Sejm]]" (Great Parliament) passed the famous Polish [[Constitution of 3 May]], 1791.<ref name="Gessner"/> During the ceremony the King was carried out to the nearby [[St. John's Archcathedral, Warsaw|church of St. John]]. In honour of this occasion, a marble plaque with [[Ignacy Krasicki]]'s text written on it was set into the wall of the castle.

=== In partitioned Poland and the Second Polish Republic ===
Between 19 and 20 December 1806 and 1–30 January 1807, [[Napoleon Bonaparte]], the French emperor, spent his time at the castle. Here in 1807 he made the decision to form the [[Duchy of Warsaw]], which was to be ruled by the Saxon king [[Frederick Augustus I of Saxony|Frederick August I]], using the Royal Castle as his residence. Prince [[Józef Poniatowski]], Commander-in-Chief of the [[Army of the Duchy of Warsaw]] and [[Marshal of the Empire|Marshal of France]], resided in the [[Copper-Roof Palace]] joined to the castle. After the creation of the [[Congress Poland|constitutional Kingdom of Poland]] (1815), its [[Sejm of Congress Poland|parliaments]] met here at the castle. As kings of Poland, the Russian Tsars [[Alexander I of Russia|Alexander I]] and [[Nicholas I of Russia|Nicholas I]] also resided in the castle when they stayed in Warsaw. During the [[November Uprising]], on 25 January 1831, the Sejm debating in the castle dethroned Tsar Nicholas I as Polish king.<ref name="castles">{{cite web |url = http://www.castles.info/poland/royal-castle-warsaw/ |title = Royal Castle in Warsaw |work = castles.info |access-date = 18 July 2008 |archive-date = 13 January 2010 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100113204859/http://www.castles.info/poland/royal-castle-warsaw/ |url-status = dead }}</ref>

[[File:Conference room without paintings 19th.JPG|thumb|right|Conference Room at the castle without paintings that were stolen by the Tsarist army.]]

In 1836, the voivodeships of Congress Poland were abolished and replaced by [[guberniya]]s. During that time, the Royal Castle became the residence of the Tsar's governor [[Ivan Paskievich]]. Paskievich charged Ludvik Corio – a Russian Colonel and architect – with designing new elevations and façades (the west, south, and east parts). However, the Russian authorities were not satisfied with the new designs, and Corio was told to prepare another design – one that would refer to Kubicki's solutions (and his co-workers Lelewel and Thomas). Finally, Corio rebuilt all the elevations and façades in the [[Neoclassical architecture|neoclassical style]], but the Saxon Elevation was left the same. After the death of Paskievich in 1856, all the next governors resided in the Royal Castle's Chamberlain's Room. The Russian officials occupied rooms on both floors of the west and north wings of the castle. The governors were heavily guarded by the [[Imperial Russian Army|Russian army]]. Unfortunately, the living space that was assigned to these soldiers was the Parliamentary Hall, Library, and barracks under the castle. As a result, these were left devastated.

After the [[January Uprising]] in 1863, the Russian army totally destroyed the Royal garden on the Vistula side (which was transformed into the [[military parade]] square), building a few barracks made of brick for stables and [[Cossacks]]' barracks. In 1862–1863, some maintenance work was done in the Royal Castle under the supervision of Jerzy Orłowicz, Ludwik Gosławski and Potolov. In 1890, the Saxon Elevation was rebuilt under the supervision of a builder January Kiślański, when the arcades of both viewing galleries, dating back to the Augustus III period, were deformed. The last repair works, which cost 28,000 [[rubles]], during the reign of Russia, were in 1902 in the rooms which had been occupied by the Russian army.

During the [[First World War]], it was the residence of the German military governor. After Poland regained her independence in 1918, the castle became the residence of the [[president of Poland]]. It was restored under the guidance of Kazimierz Skórewicz (1920–1928) and [[Adolf Szyszko-Bohusz]] (until 1939). Under the terms of the peace treaty signed with [[Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic|Soviet Russia]] at [[Peace of Riga|Riga in 1920]], works of art and other precious things, including all the castle furnishings, which had been taken away to Russia, were brought back to Poland. As a result, it was possible to restore the historic rooms to their appearance in the reign of [[Stanisław II Augustus]].

=== During World War II ===
{{multiple image | direction = vertical | width = 160
|align    = right
|image1   = The Royal Castle in Warsaw - burning 17.09.1939.jpg
|caption1 = Royal Castle in flames following German bombardment, 17 September 1939.
|image2   = Castle Warsaw 1941.JPG
|caption2 = Royal Castle in 1941 without roofs, deliberately removed by the Germans to accelerate the devastation process.
}}

On 17 September 1939, the castle was shelled by German artillery. The roof and the turrets were destroyed by fire (they were partly restored by the castle's staff, but later deliberately removed by the Germans).<ref name="destruction">{{cite web |author = Peter K. Gessner |url = http://info-poland.buffalo.edu/classroom/Zamek/zamek.html |title = Warsaw's Royal Castle and its destruction during the Second World War |work = info-poland.buffalo.edu |access-date = 23 July 2008 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080510151546/http://info-poland.buffalo.edu/classroom/Zamek/zamek.html |archive-date = 10 May 2008 |df = dmy-all }}</ref> The ceiling of the Ballroom collapsed, resulting in the destruction of [[Marcello Bacciarelli]]'s ceiling [[fresco]] ''The Creation of the World'' and other rooms were slightly damaged. But immediately after the seizure of Warsaw by the Germans, their occupation troops set to demolish the castle. The more valuable objects, even including the central heating and ventilation installations, were dismantled and taken away to Germany.

[[File:Royal Castle Warsaw 1945.jpg|thumb|left|upright|Ruins of the castle in 1945.]]

On 4 October 1939 in Berlin, [[Adolf Hitler]] issued the order to blow up the Royal Castle. On 10 October 1939, special German units, under the supervision of history and art experts (Dr. [[Dagobert Frey]], an art historian at the [[University of Wrocław|University of Breslau]]; Gustaw Barth, the director of museums in Breslau, and Dr. Joseph Mühlmann, an art historian from Vienna) started to demount floors, marbles, sculptures, and stone elements such as fireplaces or moulds. The artefacts were taken to Germany or stored in [[Kraków]]'s warehouses. Many of them were also seized by various [[Nazi Germany|Nazi]] dignitaries who resided in Warsaw. The castle was totally emptied. Disobeying German orders, despite the danger of being shot, Polish museum staff and experts in [[art restoration]] managed to save many of the works of art from the castle, as well as fragments of the [[stucco]]-work, the parquet floors, the wood panelling, and more which were later used in the reconstruction. The great service done to Poland by Professor [[Stanisław Lorentz]], in leading this campaign to save the castle's treasures, is well known. [[Wehrmacht]] sappers then bored tens of thousands of holes for dynamite charges in the stripped walls.

In 1944, after the collapse of the [[Warsaw Uprising]], when hostilities had already ceased, the Germans blew up the castle's demolished walls.<ref name="destruction" /> Leveling the Royal Castle was only a part of a larger plan – the Pabst Plan – the goal of which was to build a monumental Community Hall (ger. ''Volkshalle'') or an equally sizable Congress Hall of NSDAP (National Socialist German Workers Party – ger. ''Parteivolkshalle'') in the Royal Castle's place and to replace [[Sigismund's Column]] with the Germania Monument.

A pile of rubble, surmounted by only two fragments of walls, was all that was left of the six-hundred-year-old edifice. On one of these fragments part of the stucco decoration remained, this was a cartouche with the royal version of the motto of the [[Order of the White Eagle (Poland)|Order of the White Eagle]] — "[[Pro Fide, Lege et Rege|PRO FIDE, LEGE ET REGE]]" (for Faith, Law, and King).

=== Reconstruction ===
[[File:Poland-01104 - Castle Garden Side (30397740244).jpg|thumb|270px|The reconstructed Upper Garden of the Royal Castle]]

Immediately after the end of war in 1945, work started on rescuing the surviving fragments of the castle's walls, foundations, and cellars as well as the fire-blackened walls of the [[Copper-Roof Palace]] and the [[Library at the Royal Castle, Warsaw|Royal Library]] building, from further destruction. In 1949, the [[Sejm|Polish Parliament]] passed a bill to rebuild the castle as a monument to Polish history and culture. Meanwhile, special architectural designing offices, under Jan Dąbrowski, Piotr Biegański and [[Jan Zachwatowicz]], drew up blueprints for restoring the framework of the building and furnishing the historical rooms. The decision to start work was postponed several times, but was finally taken on 20 January 1971.<ref name="destruction" /> A Civic Committee was set up. Amid universal applause, it was decided to rebuild the castle from voluntary contributions. Both in Poland and abroad, fund-raising committees were set up.

By May 1975, the Fund had already reached the 500 million [[Polish zloty|zloty]]s. By the same date more than a thousand valuable works of art had been given to the castle by numerous Poles resident both in Poland and abroad.<ref name="destruction" /> Official representatives of other countries have likewise presented to the castle works of art of great artistic and historic value.

== Today ==
<gallery heights="210" mode="packed">
Zamek Królewski w Warszawie od strony Wisły 2021.jpg|Royal Castle's eastern baroque façade seen from the Royal Gardens.
Warsaw-Castle-Square-2.jpg|Panoramic view of the castle and the [[Old Town, Warsaw|Old Town]].
</gallery>

The imposing façade, built of [[brick]], is {{convert|90|m}} long and faces the [[Castle Square, Warsaw|Castle Square]].<ref name="zamki">{{cite web  |url = http://www.zamkipolskie.com/wars/wars.html |title = Warszawa Zamek Królewski |work = zamkipolskie.com |access-date = 22 July 2008|language=pl}}</ref> At each end of the façade stands a square tower with a bulbous [[spire]]. The Sigismund's Tower is located in the centre of the main façade, flanked on both sides by the castle. This huge clock tower ({{convert|60|m}} in height), designed in the 17th century, has always been a symbol of the Polish capital and source of inspiration for the architects of other buildings in Warsaw. The castle now serves as a museum and is subordinated to the [[Ministry of Culture and National Heritage (Poland)|Ministry of Culture and National Heritage]]. Many official visits and state meetings are also held in the Royal Castle.

== Interior ==
[[File:Rembrandt Girl in a Picture Frame.jpg|thumb|upright|''[[The Girl in a Picture Frame]]'' [1641] by [[Rembrandt]]. One of two pieces of that artist at the castle from [[Stanisław August Poniatowski|Stanisław Augustus]]' collection.]]
The interior consists of many different rooms, all painstakingly restored with as many original exhibits as possible after the destruction of the Second World War.

* The [[Jagiellon]]ian Rooms
These rooms, which belonged to the residence of [[Sigismund Augustus]], are now host to a number of portraits of the [[Jagiellon dynasty]], a royal dynasty originating in [[Grand Duchy of Lithuania|Lithuania]] that reigned in several Central European countries between the 14th and 16th century.<ref>{{cite web  |url = http://www.zamek-krolewski.pl/?page=1078 |title = Pokoje Dworskie |work = zamek-krolewski.pl |access-date = 18 July 2008|language=pl}}</ref> In 2011, the Jagiellonian Rooms were re-arranged to house the modern Gallery of Painting, Sculpture and Decorative Arts.<ref>{{cite web  |url =http://www.zamek-krolewski.pl/?page=3072 |title =Galeria Malarstwa, Rzeźby i Sztuki Zdobniczej |work =zamek-krolewski.pl |access-date = 2 March 2013|language=pl}}</ref>

* The Houses of Parliament
From the 16th century onwards, Polish [[democracy]] started here.<ref name="poselska">{{cite web  |url = http://www.zamek-krolewski.pl/?page=1557 |title = Dawna Izba Poselska i sale sąsiednie |work = zamek-krolewski.pl |access-date = 18 July 2008|language=pl}}</ref> In 1573, amendments to the constitution of the [[Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth]] were written here, with great religious tolerance. Also, during the [[Deluge (history)|Deluge]] in 1652, the [[liberum veto]] was established in these rooms, although not carried out until 1669. In 1791, the [[May Constitution of Poland|May Constitution]], Europe's first modern codified national [[constitution]] as well as the second-oldest national constitution in the world, was drafted here.
The decorations in the room are replicas of the originals by [[Giovanni Battista di Quadro]].<ref name="poselska" />

* The Royal Apartments
In these apartments, King Stanisław Augustus Poniatowski lived. They consist of the [[Canaletto]] room, in which several painted views of Warsaw are on display.<ref name="dziedzictwo" /> These were not painted by Canaletto, but rather by his nephew, [[Bernardo Bellotto]] also called ''il Canaletto''. [[Jean-Baptiste Pillement]] worked between 1765 and 1767 on one of his largest projects, the wallpaper.<ref name="dziedzictwo" /> [[Domenico Merlini]] designed the adjacent Royal Chapel in 1776.<ref name="dziedzictwo" /> Nowadays, the heart of [[Tadeusz Kościuszko]] is kept here in an urn. The Audience Rooms are also designed by Merlini, with four paintings by [[Marcello Bacciarelli]] on display. Andrzej Grzybowski took care of the restoration of the room, that included many original pieces.

* Lanckoroński Collection
In 1994, [[Countess Karolina Lanckorońska]] donated 37 pictures to the Royal Castle. Collection includes two paintings (portraits) by [[Rembrandt]]: ''The Father of the Jewish Bride'' (also known as ''[[The Scholar at the Lectern]]'') and ''The Jewish Bride'' (also known as ''[[The Girl in a Picture Frame]]'')<ref>{{cite web  |url = http://www.zamek-krolewski.pl/?page=1088 |title = Galeria Lanckorońskich |work = zamek-krolewski.pl |access-date = 18 July 2008|language=pl}}</ref> both originally in the Stanisław Augustus Poniatowski collection.<ref>{{cite web  |url = http://www.zamek-krolewski.pl/?page=1433 |title = Historia dwóch obrazów  |work = zamek-krolewski.pl |access-date = 18 July 2008|language=pl}}</ref>

In December 2018, the castle acquired a violin created by [[Antonio Stradivari]] in 1685. To commemorate the 100th anniversary of Poland regaining its independence, the instrument was officially given the name ''Polonia''. The [[virtuoso]] violinist Jerzy Wawrowski is the only person who is allowed to play on the instrument.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://rmx.news/poland/stradivarius-polonia-display-royal-castle-warsaw |title=Stradivarius "Polonia" on display in the Royal Castle in Warsaw |access-date=16 February 2019}}</ref>

In December 2018, a painting by [[Marcello Bacciarelli]] titled ''Portrait of [[Michał Jerzy Mniszech|Jerzy Mniszech]] with Daughter Elizabeth and Kiopek'' (1795), which was considered missing, was returned to the castle's collections.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thefirstnews.com/article/kept-in-a-vault-under-armed-guard-tfn-gets-exclusive-glimpse-at-hugely-important-painting-hidden-from-public-view-for-200-years-3900 |title=Kept in a vault under armed guard, TFN gets exclusive glimpse at 'hugely important' painting hidden from public view for 200 years |access-date=21 September 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://zamek-krolewski.pl/dla-mediow/informacje-bez-logowania/nowe-nabytki-zamku-portret-marcella-bacciarellego-i-kolekcja-biskwitow |title=Nowe nabytki Zamku – portret Marcella Bacciarellego i kolekcja biskwitów |access-date=16 February 2019}}</ref>

==Gallery==
<gallery heights="150" mode="packed" caption="The Interior of the Castle">
Image:Nowa Izba Poselska Zamek Królewski w Warszawie 2016.jpg|New Chamber of Deputies
Image:Dawna Izba Poselska Zamek Królewski w Warszawie 2016.jpg|Old [[Sejm of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth|Chamber of Deputies]]
Image:Sala Senatorska Zamek Królewski w Warszawie 2016.jpg|Senatorial Hall
Image:Warsaw Throne chair of Stanislaus Augustus.jpg|The Throne
Image:Throne Room Royal Castle in Warsaw.JPG|The Throne Room
Image:2 Zamek Krolewski 43.jpg|Royal Council Room
Image:Zamek Królewski w Warszawie - 03.jpg|Old Audience Chamber
Image:Conference Room (Royal Castle, Warsaw)-01.jpg|Conference Room
Image:2 Zamek Krolewski 36.jpg|Great Assembly Hall
Image:Marble Room at the Royal Castle in Warsaw, Poland.jpg|Marble Room
Image:Zamek Królewski w Warszawie - 09.jpg|Knight's Room
Image:Crown Prince's Apartment RCW.jpg|Royal Apartment
Image:Zamek Królewski w Warszawie - 04.jpg|Royal Bedroom
Image:Zamek Królewski w Warszawie - 02.jpg|[[Bernardo Bellotto|Canaletto]] Room
Image:Pokój Żółty Zamek Królewski w Warszawie.JPG|Yellow Room
Image:Piwnica Książeca Zamek Królewski w Warszawie.JPG|Gothic cellar
Image:Zamek Krolewski Warszawa 2012 (2).JPG|Kubicki Arcade
</gallery>

<gallery heights="150" mode="packed" caption="Artwork">
Image:Rembrandt Scholar at the Lectern.jpg|''[[The Scholar at the Lectern]]'', [[Rembrandt]], 1641
Image:Dyck Charles I Stuart.jpg|''Portrait of Charles I Stuart'', [[Anthony van Dyck]], ca.1638
Image:Cranach Adam and Eve.jpg|''Adam and Eve'', [[Lucas Cranach the Elder]], ca. 1528
Image:Cleve Saint John the Baptist.jpg|''Saint John the Baptist'', [[Joos van Cleve]], ca.1540
Image:Gainsborough George III of the United Kingdom.jpg|''Portrait of George III in Parliament Robes'', [[Thomas Gainsborough]], 1785
Image:Lebrun Pelagie Sapiezyna.jpg|''Portrait of Pélagie Sapieżyna-Potocka'', [[Louise Élisabeth Vigée Le Brun]], 1794
Image:Teniers Country doctor.jpg|''Country Doctor'', [[David Teniers the Younger]], second half of 17th century
Image:Batoni Pope Pius VI.jpg|''Portrait of [[Pope Pius VI]]'', [[Pompeo Batoni]], ca.1780
Image:Kucharsky Marie Antoinette in the Temple.jpg|''[[Marie Antoinette]] in the Temple Prison'', [[Alexander Kucharsky]], 1793
Image:Troschel Władysław Sigismund Vasa.jpg|''Prince Władysław Vasa'', Jakob Troschel, 1605
Image:Troschel Constance of Austria.jpg|''Queen [[Constance of Austria]]'', Jakob Troschel, 1624
Image:Art Collection of Prince Władysław Vasa.jpg|''Art [[Cabinet (room)|Cabinet]] of Prince [[Władysław IV Vasa|Władysław Vasa]]'', Etienne de la Hire, 1626
Image:A Standing Soldier in Armor Seen in Profile by Raphael.jpg|''A Standing Soldier in Armor Seen in Profile'' by [[Raphael]], c. 1500<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.thefirstnews.com/article/first-raphael-in-polish-collection-since-theft-of-portrait-of-a-young-man-arrives-in-warsaw-43713#:~:text=Director%20of%20the%20Royal%20Castle%20in%20Warsaw%20Professor,collection%20since%20the%20loss%20of%20%22The%20Young%20Man%22. |title=First Raphael in Polish collection since theft of ‘Portrait of a Young Man’ arrives in Warsaw |website=thefirstnews.com |author=Stuart Dowell |date=8 January 2024 |access-date=14 January 2024}}</ref>
Image:Ceremonial sword Poniatowski.jpg|''Ceremonial sword of the [[Order of Saint Stanislaus|Saint Stanislaw's Order]]'', 1764
</gallery>

== Copper-Roof Palace ==
{{Main|Copper-Roof Palace}}
[[File:Warsaw 07-13 img10 Old town.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Copper-Roof Palace]] adjacent to the castle.]]
The Copper-Roof Palace has since 1989 been a branch of the Royal Castle Museum.<ref>{{cite news|url =http://www.zamek-krolewski.pl/index.php?page=1504|title =Remont i przebudowa pałacu Pod Blachą|work =zamek-krolewski.pl|access-date =23 March 2009|language =pl|url-status =dead|archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20100929155745/http://www.zamek-krolewski.pl/index.php?page=1504|archive-date =29 September 2010|df =dmy-all}}</ref> The palace is contiguous with Warsaw's Royal Castle, and down a slope from the [[Castle Square, Warsaw|Castle Square]] and [[Old Town, Warsaw|Old Town]]. It was originally a patrician house of Wawrzyniec Reffus, it was built 1651–1656.<ref name="warszawa1939">{{cite news  |url = http://www.warszawa1939.pl/index.php?r1=zamkowy_blacha&r3=0 |title = Pałac pod Blachą |work = warszawa1939.pl |access-date = 23 March 2009|language=pl}}</ref> After 1657 destruction by the army of [[George II Rákóczi]], it was completely remodeled in 1698–1701<ref name="perelki" /> for [[Jerzy Dominik Lubomirski]].<ref name="warszawa1939" />

Lubomirski expanded the palace by building a southern wing, perpendicular to the rest of structure, and also expanded the western elevation. Shortly after its construction the palace became known as ''Palais Martin'', after Lubomirski's grandson.<ref name="wiezowce">{{cite web|url =http://www.wiezowce.waw.pl/pod_bl_en.php|title ="Under the Metal Roof" Palace (Palac Pod Blacha)|work =wiezowce.waw.pl|access-date =24 March 2009|url-status =usurped|archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20140204041025/http://www.wiezowce.waw.pl/pod_bl_en.php|archive-date =4 February 2014|df =dmy-all}}</ref> In 1720 the palace was rebuilt with an addition of a second northern wing. Additionally the interior was decorated with [[rococo]] paintings.<ref name="wiezowce" /> After 1777 the palace passed into ownership of Poland's last king, [[Stanisław II Augustus]], who hired the architect [[Domenico Merlini]] to once again redesign the inside rooms of the palace and join the library wing of the Royal Castle to it.<ref name="wiezowce" /> The King then made a present of the redecorated place to his nephew Prince [[Józef Poniatowski]]<ref name="warszawa1939" /> The younger Poniatowski was a successful commander in the 1794 [[Kościuszko Uprising]], and later one of [[Napoleon Bonaparte]]'s [[Marshal of the Empire|marshala]]. Under his ownership the palace became a center of Warsaw's high class social scene. When Warsaw became part of [[Kingdom of Prussia]] after the [[Third Partition of Poland]] the buildings became the headquarters for the Prussian Ministry of War.<ref name="wiezowce" />

The Copper-Roof Palace was burned in 1944 and reconstructed, based on paintings of [[Bernardo Bellotto]], between 1948 and 1949.<ref name="perelki" />

Currently the palace is a museum hosting, ''inter alia'', a permanent exhibition of [[oriental carpets]] and other oriental decorative art, donated to the museum by Mrs. Teresa Sahakian.<ref name="wystawa">{{cite news  |url = http://www.zamek-krolewski.pl/?page=1093 |title = Wystawa kobierców wschodnich |work = zamek-krolewski.pl |access-date = 23 March 2009|language=pl}}</ref> The collection comprises 579 items, 562 of which are textiles.<ref>{{cite news  |url = http://www.zamek-krolewski.pl/?page=1013 |title = Fundacja Teresy Sahakian |work = zamek-krolewski.pl |access-date = 23 March 2009|language=pl}}</ref>

== Interesting facts ==
[[File:Hejnal-Warszawski.ogg|thumb|Varsovian trumpet call played from one of the towers of the Royal Castle.]]
[[File:Bilet zdawkowy 10 groszy 1924 awers.jpg|thumb|Polish 10 [[Historical coins and banknotes of Poland|groszy]] banknote from 1924]]
*On 24 May 1829 in the Royal Castle's Senator's Hall, [[Nicholas I of Russia]] was crowned [[King of Poland]].<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.replikiregaliowpl.com/to.html |title = Historia Repliki Polskich Insygniów Koronacyjnych |work = replikiregaliowpl.com |access-date = 22 July 2008 |language = pl |archive-date = 23 April 2009 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090423071128/http://www.replikiregaliowpl.com/to.html |url-status = dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web  |url = http://www.polskiedzieje.pl/art/73 |title = Insygnia koronacyjne Królów Polski (1025–2003)
|work = polskiedzieje.pl |access-date = 22 July 2008|language=pl}}</ref>
*On 5 November 1916, the [[Act of 5 November]] was announced in the Grand Hall.<ref>{{cite web|url =http://dziedzictwo.polska.pl/katalog/skarb,Akt_5_listopada_1916_roku,gid,116214,cid,180.htm?body=desc|title =Akt 5 listopada 1916 roku|work =dziedzictwo.polska.pl|access-date =22 July 2008|language =pl|url-status =dead|archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20080430082824/http://dziedzictwo.polska.pl/katalog/skarb,Akt_5_listopada_1916_roku,gid,116214,cid,180.htm?body=desc|archive-date =30 April 2008|df =dmy-all}}</ref>
*On 23 April 1935, the [[April Constitution]] was signed in the ''Knight Hall''.<ref name="zamki" />
*Stanisław Augustus Poniatowski's regalia are kept in the Royal Chapel. These are the [[Order of the White Eagle (Poland)|Order of the White Eagle]], the ceremonial sword of the [[Order of Saint Stanislaus|Saint Stanisław's Order]] and [[Beryl#Aquamarine and maxixe|aquamarine]] sceptre.<ref name="dziedzictwo" />
*The insignia of presidential power are also stored in the Castle- the stamp of the President, the Jack of the President of the Republic of Poland and national documents, which [[Ryszard Kaczorowski]] gave to [[Lech Wałęsa]] on 22 December 1990.<ref>{{cite web|url =http://www.prezydent.pl/x.node?id=1011848&eventId=500031|title =Wydarzenie|work =prezydent.pl|date =2 November 2004|access-date =22 July 2008|language =pl|url-status =dead|archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20050228165603/http://www.prezydent.pl/x.node?id=1011848&eventId=500031|archive-date =28 February 2005|df =dmy-all}}</ref>
*Many of the Polish [[legend]]s are connected with the Royal Castle. According to one of them in 1569 the King [[Sigismund II Augustus|Sigismund Augustus]], who was in mourning after death of his beloved wife [[Barbara Radziwiłł]], asked the renowned sorcerer [[Pan Twardowski|Master Twardowski]] to evoke her ghost.<ref name="wegow">{{cite web |author = Jan Mielniczka |url = http://www.wegrow.com.pl/artykul/5135_90.html |title = Legendy o Węgrowie |work = wegrow.com.pl |date = 29 October 2007 |access-date = 19 March 2009 |language = pl |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081006223204/http://www.wegrow.com.pl/artykul/5135_90.html |archive-date = 6 October 2008 |df = dmy-all }}</ref><ref name="Kucharczak">{{cite web |author=Franciszek Kucharczak
|url=http://www.maly.goscniedzielny.pl/?grupa=6&art=1186483356&dzi=1156925766&katg=|title=Duchotwórca |work=maly.goscniedzielny.pl|date = 7 August 2007|access-date=11 February 2010|language=pl}}</ref> The experiment was successful with support of a magic mirror, which today is kept in the [[Węgrów]] Cathedral.<ref name="wegow" /> Despite that some people suspected that it was not the Queen's ghost but closely resembling her king's mistress Barbara Giżanka and the whole event was set up by Giżanka's accomplice Mikołaj Mniszech, king's chamberlain.<ref name="Kucharczak" />
*The Royal Castle in Warsaw is one of the official members of the [[Association of the Royal Residences of Europe]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.europeanroyalresidences.eu/members/#active |title=Full members |access-date=9 May 2019}}</ref>
*In 2014, the [[National Bank of Poland]] issued a 5 [[Polish zloty|zloty]] coin in a series called "Discover Poland" depicting the Royal Castle in Warsaw.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nbp.pl/home.aspx?f=/banknoty_i_monety/monety_okolicznosciowe/2014.html |title=Banknoty i monety |access-date=9 May 2019}}</ref>

== Chicago replica ==
In 1979, the historic [[Gateway Theatre (Chicago)|Gateway Theatre]] in the [[Jefferson Park, Chicago|Jefferson Park]] [[community areas of Chicago|community area]] of Chicago was purchased by the [[Copernicus Foundation]] with the intention of converting it into the seat of the Polish Cultural and Civic Center. Because of the building's historical significance, its interior was kept intact while the exterior was remodelled and a [[Baroque Revival architecture|Neo-Baroque]] clock tower was added to give it the resemblance of the Royal Castle in Warsaw.<ref>''Northwest Chicago Historical Society''. Newsletter – January 2005; Number 1 [http://www.nwchicagohistory.org/jphs_jan_2005.pdf www.nwchicagohistory.org] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727133712/http://www.nwchicagohistory.org/jphs_jan_2005.pdf |date=27 July 2011 }}</ref> It is a visual tribute to [[Poles in Chicago|Chicago's large Polish populace]], the largest such presence outside of Poland.

==See also==
{{commons|Royal Castle Warsaw}}
* [[Castle Square, Warsaw|Castle Square]]
* [[St. John's Archcathedral, Warsaw]]
* [[Sigismund's Column]]
* [[List of castles in Poland]]
* [[List of Palaces#Poland|List of palaces in Poland]]

==References==
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em|refs=
<ref name="altar">{{cite web|author=Marcin Latka|title=Altar od king Stanislaus Augustus from the Saxon Chapel at the Royal Castle in Warsaw|url=https://artinpoland.weebly.com/en/altar-od-king-stanislaus-augustus-from-the-saxon-chapel-at-the-royal-castle-in-warsaw|access-date=16 September 2018}}</ref>

<ref name="dziedzictwo">{{cite web |url = http://www.dziedzictwo.pl/sources/muzea/waw/zamek-krolewski/zamekkw.html |title = Zamek Królewski w Warszawie (The Royal Castle in Warsaw) |work = dziedzictwo.pl |access-date = 18 July 2008|language=pl}}</ref>

<ref name=Fryz>{{cite book |author=Agnieszka Fryz-Więcek |title=Świat ze srebra |year=2005 |page=55 |publisher=Muzeum Narodowe w Krakowie }}</ref>

<ref name="Gessner">{{cite web |author=Peter K. Gessner |url=http://info-poland.buffalo.edu/classroom/Zamek/castle.html |title=Warsaw's Glorious Royal Castle |work=info-poland.buffalo.edu |date=15 September 1993 |access-date=10 March 2013 |quote=Later, King Zygmunt August held meetings of the Polish parliament there. In 1569, after the Union of Poland and Lithuania, Warsaw, conveniently equidistant from Krakow and Vilno, the two capitals, became the permanent location for such meetings which took place at the Zamek. (...) The King's architect at the start of this period was Jakub Fontana (1710–1773). (...) Above the line of the Royal paintings, against a background of trophies, hang Bacciarelli's portraits of 10 Polish men of note (Copernicus, Hodkiewicz, Cromerus ... ) (...) On 3 May 1791 the Sejm enacted a new constitution in the Senate Chamber (4), the first one to be enacted in Europe and one proclaiming equality. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121126055617/http://info-poland.buffalo.edu/classroom/Zamek/castle.html |archive-date=26 November 2012  }}</ref>

<ref name="opera">{{cite web |url = http://martim33.w.interia.pl/opera_theater3.html |title = Sala operowa |work = Opera i teatr Władysława IV |access-date = 23 July 2008 |language = pl |archive-date = 20 August 2011 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110820172535/http://martim33.w.interia.pl/opera_theater3.html |url-status = dead }}</ref>

<ref name="perelki">{{cite web  |url = http://www.um.warszawa.pl/v_syrenka/perelki/index_en.php?mi_id=37&dz_id=2 |title = The Royal Castle |work = eGuide / Treasures of Warsaw on-line |access-date = 23 July 2008}}</ref>

<ref name="Suchodolska">{{cite web |author=Ewa Suchodolska |url=http://www.zamek-krolewski.pl/?page=1246 |title = Zamek książąt mazowieckich (ok. 1300 – 1526) |work = zamek-krolewski.pl |access-date=10 March 2013 |quote=Znaczenie Warszawy potwierdzają wystawiane tam dokumenty, jak również świadectwo wysłanników papieskich. W 1339 r. postrzegają oni tu ważny, a zarazem bezpieczny ośrodek, w którym książę często przebywa ze swym dworem i sprawuje sądy. (...) Na początku XV w. Janusz I rozpoczął w Warszawie budowę okazałego domu książęcego (nazywanego w dokumentach Curia Maior lub Curia ducalis) co tłumaczy się jako Dwór Wielki (książęcy) lub Dom Duży.|language=pl}}</ref>

<ref name=Tarandaite>{{cite book |author=Dalia Tarandaitė |title=Lietuvos sakralinė dailė: XI-XX a. pradžia |year=2003 |page=74 |publisher=Lietuvos Dailės muziejus |isbn=99-86669-30-8 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FgUnAQAAIAAJ&q=warsaw+castle+vasa+rubens+reni }}</ref>

<ref name="Wrede">{{cite web |author=Marek Wrede |url=http://www.zamek-krolewski.pl/?page=1070 |title = Zamek Jagiellonów i pierwszych królów elekcyjnych (1526–1586) |work = zamek-krolewski.pl |access-date=24 March 2013 |quote=(...) w 1526 roku miała miejsce druga, dużo ważniejsza królewska wizyta w Warszawie. Do miasta, w drodze z Gdańska do Krakowa, zjechał z licznym orszakiem Zygmunt I. Objął w posiadanie Zamek i całą mazowiecką dzielnicę jako spadek po bezpotomnie zmarłych piastowskich lennikach (...) Po śmierci króla Zygmunta I w 1548 roku Bona przeniosła się na stałe na Mazowsze. (...) Włoski architekt Giovanni Battista Quadro z Lugano (twórca renesansowego ratusza poznańskiego), współpracujący początkowo z Jacopem Pario z Bisone, przekształcił średniowieczne zabudowania zamkowe (...) Rozbudowano dawną rezydencję książęcą – Dwór Wielki przekształcając ją w gmach sejmowy. (...) Od północy dobudowano posadowiony na wysokiej piwnicy Nowy Dom Królewski z zewnętrzną okrągłą klatką "wschodów kręconych". (...) Lubelski sejm 1569 roku wyznaczył Warszawę i Zamek na stałe miejsce obrad sejmu zjednoczonej Rzeczypospolitej.|language=pl}}</ref>

<ref name="Wrede1">{{cite web |author=Marek Wrede |url=http://www.zamek-krolewski.pl/?page=1070 |title = Zamek Wazów i królów rodaków (1587–1696) |work = zamek-krolewski.pl |access-date=22 April 2013 |quote= Król w swej nie ukończonej jeszcze, północnej rezydencji zamieszkał na jesieni w 1611 roku. Od tego czasu Warszawa – centrum parlamentarne oraz siedziba króla i centralnych urzędów. (...) Twórcami jej byli włoscy architekci: Giovanni Trevano, Giacomo Rodondo, Paolo de la Corte oraz Mateo Castello. (...) W skrzydle południowym powstał przed rokiem 1637 zespół sal z głęboką sceną i widownią wyposażonych w instrumentarium pozwalające wystawiać przedstawienia w bogatej barokowej scenografii. (...) Wiosnę 1656 roku administracja szwedzka rozpoczęła planową grabież i dewastację. Wywożono wszystkie cenne rzeczy – obrazy, rzeźby, meble także marmurowe posadzki, kominki i fontanny ogrodowe. Wnętrza zamkowe używane jako lazarety i stajnie zostały kompletnie zdewastowane. Trzy okupacje (tym ostatnia siedmiogrodzka) położyły kres wspaniałości wazowskiej rezydencji.|language=pl}}</ref>
}}

==Bibliography==
# {{cite book | author = Lileyko Jerzy | title = Vademecum Zamku Warszawskiego | year = 1980 | location =Warsaw | isbn = 83-223-1818-9 |language=pl}}
# {{cite book | title = Warszawa w latach 1526–1795 (Warsaw in 1526–1795) | year = 1984 | editor = Stefan Kieniewicz | editor-link = Stefan Kieniewicz | location =Warsaw | isbn =83-01-03323-1 |language=pl}}

==External links==
* [http://www.zamek-krolewski.pl/ Royal Castle website]
* [https://artsandculture.google.com/partner/the-royal-castle-in-warsaw-museum The Royal Castle in Warsaw – Museum at Google Cultural Institute]
* [https://artsandculture.google.com/partner/the-royal-castle-in-warsaw-museum?hl=pl Zamek Królewski w Warszawie – Muzeum – Google Art Project]
* [http://www.pano360.pl/projekty/zamek/virtualtour.html Virtual tour]
* [http://www.castles.info/poland/royal-castle-warsaw/ Castles.info—Royal Castle in Warsaw] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100113204859/http://www.castles.info/poland/royal-castle-warsaw/ |date=13 January 2010 }} — history and pictures.
* [http://culture.pl/en/article/googles-virtual-walk-of-the-royal-castle Google's Virtual Walk of the Royal Castle]

{{Royal Residences in Poland}}
{{Warsaw landmarks}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Palaces in Warsaw]]
[[Category:Castles in Masovian Voivodeship]]
[[Category:Royal residences in Poland]]
[[Category:Houses completed in 1619]]
[[Category:1944 disestablishments in Poland]]
[[Category:Rebuilt buildings and structures in Warsaw]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Poland destroyed during World War II]]
[[Category:Baroque palaces in Poland]]
[[Category:Historic house museums in Poland]]
[[Category:Art museums and galleries in Warsaw]]
[[Category:Registered museums in Poland]]
[[Category:Residences of Polish monarchs]]
[[Category:1619 establishments in the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth]]
[[Category:Sites of Nazi war crimes in Poland]]
[[Category:Old Town, Warsaw]]
[[Category:Military history of Warsaw]]