Belweder, Warsaw, Poland - SpottingHistory

Belweder Palace is today the residence of President of the Republic of Poland. The present building is the latest of several that stood on the site since 1660. Belweder once belonged to Poland's last king, Stanisław August Poniatowski, who used it as a porcelain-manufacturing plant. From 1818 it was the residence of Russian Grand Duke Constantine, who fled it at the beginning of the November 1830 Uprising.

After the re-establishment of Poland's independence following World War I, it was the residence of Marshal Józef Piłsudski, Chief of State (1918–22) and later (1926–35) Minister of Military Affairs of Poland, who died there in 1935. (During the May 1926 coup d'état, President Stanisław Wojciechowski had abandoned it ahead of Piłsudski's advancing forces).

During World War II, the building was extensively remodeled for Ludwig Fischer, Governor of occupied Warsaw in the 'General Government' of Poland. It remains one of the few original structures in Warsaw to survive World War II.

In 1945-1952 it was the residence of Bolesław Bierut, and later of the president of the Council of State. From 1989 to July 1994, it was the official residence of Poland's president, but proved too small for that purpose.

Protection of the Belweder Palace by the Government Protection Bureau (Biuro Ochrony Rządu, abbreviated BOR) was difficult, as the palace is located on a hill that shares a fence with the popular Łazienki Park, located below, a major tourist attraction. For security reasons, the park has had to be partly closed during visits by foreign heads of state to the Belweder. Due to the size of Łazienki Park, this has proven difficult and time-consuming, and the Polish press has mocked Secret Service agents checking the bushes and disturbing the Park's peacocks.

Belweder is normally used by the President and the government for ceremonial purposes, while the President resides at the 'Presidential Palace' in the city center. It also serves as an official residence for heads of state on official visits to Poland and other important guests. There have been plans to turn the Belweder Palace into a museum dedicated to Józef Piłsudski. Currently it houses a small exhibition devoted to the Marshal. However, the current president of Poland, Bronisław Komorowski, has chosen to make Belweder his official residence.

References:

Wikipedia

Palaces, manors and town halls in Poland

User Reviews

Ivan Ivanchenko (3 years ago)
I would arrange a short tea/coffee break at Belweder during my trip to Warsaw. Administrator’s way of communication wasn’t joyfull or client friendly. Instead of free place under the umbrella suggestion he asked me to pay 205PLN for brunch. Moreover, administrator hasn’t welcomed, apologised for any inconvenience or even tried to resolve the issue with positive outcomes. His suggestion was to find place at the corner under the Sun, where every table had been already taken over, in other words, just sent me to Nowhere. Btw, my previous feedback was deleted. Dear Belweder service team, Please be more client friendly, and don’t break down the immersive impressions by the city. And don’t delete feedback. Hope you could do better. With best wishes, Ivan

aziz beitawi (3 years ago)
Meh.

Sin Fong Chan (4 years ago)
Pałac Belwederski or Belvedere in Warsaw Visited on 29/9/2019 Near the park is the Belvedere Palace. It has traditionally been the residence of the Polish president and international dignitaries in the 20th century. I have not seen the interior and therefore unable to give a detailed review.

Anna (4 years ago)
Classical architecture from the 19th century.It used to be the office of the president of Poland.I'm sorry I haven't been inside yet.

Bjørn Iver Jacobsen (4 years ago)
The food is delicious and the service was beoynd all expectations. The place and location is mega beautiful.

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