Belvedere Palace (Pałac Belweder), Warsaw
Belvedere Palace, constructed in 1660 and later renovated in the early 1800s, serves as one of the primary official residences for Polish presidents and functions as a state guest house for hosting foreign heads of state. This architectural complex is located to the south of Warsaw's downtown area, near the historic Łazienki Park.
Historically, the Belvedere was once owned by Poland's final monarch, Stanisław August Poniatowski, who repurposed it as a porcelain manufacturing facility. In 1818, it became the residence of the Russian Grand Duke Constantine, who vacated the premises at the onset of the November 1830 Uprising. Subsequently, during World War II, the building underwent extensive renovations to accommodate Hans Frank, the Governor of the "General Government" of Poland. Remarkably, it stands as one of the few original structures in Warsaw to have withstood the ravages of World War II.
Belvedere Palace is a notable example of Neoclassical architecture, a style that emerged in the mid-18th century and continued into the early 19th century. This architectural style is characterized by its simplicity, symmetry, and grandeur, drawing inspiration from the classical architecture of ancient Greece and Rome.
The Belvedere Palace is adjacent to a well-known tourist attraction in Warsaw, the Łazienki Park, which offers an abundance of captivating sights. While the palace itself is not open to tourists, its exterior exudes a stunning charm that is sure to captivate onlookers.
Historically, the Belvedere was once owned by Poland's final monarch, Stanisław August Poniatowski, who repurposed it as a porcelain manufacturing facility. In 1818, it became the residence of the Russian Grand Duke Constantine, who vacated the premises at the onset of the November 1830 Uprising. Subsequently, during World War II, the building underwent extensive renovations to accommodate Hans Frank, the Governor of the "General Government" of Poland. Remarkably, it stands as one of the few original structures in Warsaw to have withstood the ravages of World War II.
Belvedere Palace is a notable example of Neoclassical architecture, a style that emerged in the mid-18th century and continued into the early 19th century. This architectural style is characterized by its simplicity, symmetry, and grandeur, drawing inspiration from the classical architecture of ancient Greece and Rome.
The Belvedere Palace is adjacent to a well-known tourist attraction in Warsaw, the Łazienki Park, which offers an abundance of captivating sights. While the palace itself is not open to tourists, its exterior exudes a stunning charm that is sure to captivate onlookers.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Warsaw. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Belvedere Palace (Pałac Belweder) on Map
Sight Name: Belvedere Palace (Pałac Belweder)
Sight Location: Warsaw, Poland (See walking tours in Warsaw)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Sight Location: Warsaw, Poland (See walking tours in Warsaw)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Walking Tours in Warsaw, Poland
Create Your Own Walk in Warsaw
Creating your own self-guided walk in Warsaw is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Warsaw's Historical Churches
Given that Poland is one of the most religious countries in Europe – with Roman Catholicism being the dominant faith here since the Baptism of Poland in 966, – it is not at all surprising that Warsaw is home to many centuries-old churches and cathedrals. While reflecting the city's deep-rooted religious and cultural heritage, some of these historical temples are also magnificent... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles
Monuments and Statues
The capital city of a proud nation such as Poland, Warsaw is abundant with monuments of various sorts, dedicated to celebrated personalities and those who made a mark in the history of the country.
Some of these landmarks serve as reminders of the city's resilience and the enduring spirit of its people. Among them are the Jan Kiliński Monument commemorating a hero of the 1794 Kosciuszko... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.9 Km or 1.8 Miles
Some of these landmarks serve as reminders of the city's resilience and the enduring spirit of its people. Among them are the Jan Kiliński Monument commemorating a hero of the 1794 Kosciuszko... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.9 Km or 1.8 Miles
Jewish Warsaw Walking Tour
Once abundant, the Jewish population of Warsaw has left a profound mark on the city. Nowadays, walking along the peaceful streets of Poland's capital it is hard to imagine that thousands of Jews were once herded here and forced into cattle cars to meet their end in the Nazi concentration camps during World War II.
At the heart of this tragic chapter in Warsaw's Jewish history lies the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.7 Km or 2.9 Miles
At the heart of this tragic chapter in Warsaw's Jewish history lies the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.7 Km or 2.9 Miles
Praga District Walking Tour
Praga – not to be confused with the neighboring Czech Republic's capital city – is an old, yet vibrant district on the eastern bank of the Vistula River in Warsaw. For many years overshadowed by its more famous counterpart, Warsaw's Old Town, the area used to be off-limits for Western travelers due to its high crime rate. Recently, however, thanks to the lavish influx of investment,... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Warsaw Introduction Walking Tour
Warsaw rose to prominence when King Sigismund III moved the nation’s capital from Krakow in the 16th century. The city was widely known as the “Paris of the North” thanks to the beautiful boulevards lined with grand architecture. The center of the city is called Old Town, and it has many historic buildings like the Royal Castle on Castle Square and the Presidential Palace. Old Town is a... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
15 Distinctively Polish Things to Buy in Warsaw
A country with a great deal of taste and turbulent history, Poland has a lot to offer those with the eyes to see and mouth to savor. And Warsaw is, perhaps, the best place to find all things Polish brought together. Here's the list of the most distinctive Polish goods, caringly drawn by a...