Poland: Warsaw, Royal Castle (Part 2)

The Royal Castle ... the royal palace and official residence of the Polish monarchs; a magnificent example of baroque style - it was built in the 14th century. The personal offices of the king, as well as the administrative offices of the Royal Court of Poland were located there until the Partitions of Poland. Between 1926 and World War II the palace was the seat of the Polish president. In 1569 King Zygmunt III Waza moved his residence to the Royal Castle as Warsaw became the capital of Poland. Between 1598 and 1619 the king had the Royal Castle restyled into a polygon by Italian architects. In 18th century King Augustus III turned the East wing into Baroque style while King Stanislaw Poniatowski added the Royal library. The Royal castle served as both a residence for the kings as well as hosted Sejm sessions (Polish parliament).
History ... partially destroyed by German bombers during the Invasion of Poland, it was heavily damaged by German bombardment and artillery fire during the Warsaw Uprising. The remnants were blown up by German engineers in September 1944 and were not removed until 1971. Reconstructions were started in the early 1970s and in July 1974 the clock on the tower began working again, on the exact same time at which it was stopped by the Luftwaffe bombardment. Nowadays it is used as a branch of the National Museum and for ceremonial purposes. During the Siege of Warsaw in 1939 many of the works of art from the castle were transferred to several basements around Warsaw and hidden from German authorities. They survived the war and were put on exhibition in their original place.

[@thomasczarnowski2267]

Great video. Thank you.

[@johnjohnson4628]

Thankyou Edward for this wonderful walk through the magnificent Royal Castle. All peoples of all nations are indebted to the almost miraculous efforts of so many craftsmen, historians, conservationists etc who bring back to life the splendour of ages past. Obviously human suffering is the greatest tragedy of war but the destruction, often wilfully, of so many man-made architectural wonders is so pitiful.

[@ShylaD1705]

Yes it is pitiful and painful to see any man made architectural wonders being destroyed in any part of the world, be it a castle, palace or a temple of any religious faith.

[@mgceducation3144]

NIce video. Thank you.

[@rjstevens9802]

As a descendant of Jan Sobieski, I find it so kind and humbling that the world still acknowledge the Polish People and our history

[@xlnuniex]

I'm related to the Polish royal family

[@oliviajrh390]

Lauren Nunez you aren't