Warsaw, Castle Square

The Castle Square (Plac Zamkowy) is the boundary between the chaotic traffic area of Warsaw and its pedestrian area. The Royal Castle (Zamek Krolewski), first built in 1596, is on the east side of the square. In 1918 it became the residence of the President of Poland. The castle underwent numerous renovations over the centuries, then was destroyed after the Warsaw Uprising in 1944. It has been reconstructed, and is now a museum and art gallery, open to the public.