Zachęta National Gallery of Art, Warsaw

Warsaw boasts numerous exhibition venues, with one of the oldest being the Zacheta National Gallery of Art. This gallery has a long-standing heritage dating back to the mid-19th century. Situated adjacent to Saski Park, right in the heart of the city, and in close proximity to the Academy of Fine Arts and the University of Warsaw, it was established way back in 1860.

The gallery's founding mission was to promote art for the betterment of both society and artists. Artworks were collected to form a national collection, benefiting young artists and fostering interest within the art community. Prints of artworks were also awarded to the public as prizes.

When the society decided to construct a dedicated building for the gallery, they enlisted the expertise of Stefan Szyller for the design. He created an urban palace in an eclectic architectural style.

Today, Zacheta continues to uphold a tradition that celebrates the shared history of art enthusiasts and artists. This is exemplified by the splendid building that still hosts numerous exhibitions and houses an extensive collection of artworks, in addition to a comprehensive library.