Castle Square, Warsaw

Infobox World Heritage Site
WHS = Historic Centre of Warsaw


State Party = POL
Type = Cultural
Criteria = ii, vi
ID = 30
Region = Europe and North America
Year = 1981
Session = 4th
Link = http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/30Warsaw's Castle Square ( _pl. plac Zamkowy w Warszawie) is a square in front of the Royal Castle in Warsaw, Poland.

Overview

The square is a visitor's first view of the reconstructed Old Town ( _pl. Stare Miasto), when approaching from the more modern center of Warsaw. It is an impressive sight, dominated by Zygmunt's Column, which towers above the beautiful Old Town houses.

The square is a hub for tourists and locals, who gather to watch street entertainers, participate in rallies, watch concerts and even engage in breakdancing. [en icon cite web |author = |url = http://www.gowarsaw.eu/en/places-to-explore/list-of-sightseeings/castle-square-plac-zamkowy |title = Castle Square (Plac Zamkowy) |work = www.gowarsaw.eu |publisher = |pages = |page = |date = |accessdate = 2008-07-17]

History

The Castle Square is one of the most beautiful places in Warsaw and the entrypoint for the Old Town. Totally destroyed in World War II, the major elements of Castle Square: the Royal Castle, the Zygmunt's Column and the Patrican`s houses have been restored.

Enclosed between the Old Town and the Royal Castle, Castle Square is steeped in history. Here was the gateway leading into the city called the Cracow Gate ("Brama Krakowska").pl icon cite web |author = |url = http://www.zapiecek.com/zamkowy/plac_zamkowy.html |title = Plac zamkowy |work = zapiecek.com |publisher = |pages = |page = |date = |accessdate = 2008-07-01] It became to develop in the 14th century and continued to be a defensive area for the kings. The square was in its glory in the 17th century when Warsaw became to country capital. And it was here that in 1644 King Władysław IV erected the column to glorify his father Sigismund III Vasa, who is best known for moving the capital of Poland from Cracow to Warsaw. The buildings around it were created at the time when the Castle was extended, during the reign of King Sigismund III. The Square was regulated a number of times. For example, in 17th century, then in the first half of the 19th century, when the viaduct of Feliks Pancer was under construction, later after the World War II when the Trasa W-Z tunnel was driven (at that time the shape of the Square was changed, and the Zygmunt's Column was moved by 6 meters), and finally after 1983, as a result of Castle reconstruction (the lower part of the gothic bridge were exposed then).en icon cite web |author = |url = http://um.warszawa.pl/v_syrenka/perelki/index_en.php?mi_id=38&dz_id=2 |title = The Castle Square |work = eGuide / Treasures of Warsaw on-line |publisher = |pages = |page = |date = |accessdate = 2008-07-01] In 1997, at the Castle Square, U.S. President Bill Clinton gave a speech welcoming Poland to membership in NATO. [pl icon cite web |author = |url = http://www.prezydent.pl/x.node?id=6042904&eventId=1505172 |title = Archiwum działalności Prezydenta RP w latach 1997-2005 |work = www.prezydent.pl |publisher = |pages = |page = |date = 1998-01-15 |accessdate = 2008-07-01]

Features

See also

* Royal Castle, Warsaw
* Zygmunt's Column
* Tourist attractions in Warsaw

References

::In-line:

Gallery

External links

* [http://www.zamek-krolewski.vr360.pl/ VIRTUAL TOUR]
* [http://www.zapiecek.com/zamkowy/plac_zamkowy.html Plac Zamkowy]