A castle of some description has been on found on this site since the time of the Masovian Dukes (1300s), but the Ujazdowski Castle we see today was completed in a baroque style in 1730 for Stanisław Herakliusz Lubomirski (it was his bathhouse that later became the Palace on the Island and gave Łazienki park its name). Ujazdowski survived two centuries before being gutted by fire during WWII, and was indeed lucky to escape total destruction: the retreating Nazis actually tried to blow it to pieces, as they did a number of Łazienki’s finest buildings. But - as is so often the case - what the Nazis couldn’t do the communists could, and though the original walls and foundations remained structurally sound in the 1950s Poland’s communist authorities decided to tear down the shell of the building and place a military theatre on the site. Common sense prevailed however, and the 1970s saw Ujazdowski rebuilt to its original plans. It today plays host to three large exhibition halls dedicated to showcasing the very best of contemporary art inside; find a wild mix of the good, the bad and the ugly, featuring the work of Poland’s leading contemporary artists here. Worthy and undoubtedly necessary, the gallery also houses a very good bookshop and the café, Qchnia Artystyczna, which has a terrace whose views over the park, Warsaw and what appears to be half of Poland are jaw dropping. One not to miss.

Admission 12/6zł, Thu free.

Ujazdowski Castle (Museum Of Modern Art/CSW) comments Add Yours

• Laura - Chicago 28 April 2011
  Very much enjoyed the museum but the service in the Qchnia Artystyczna was the worst we experienced over a three week visit to Poland.Our waiter was running around from table to table but typically carrying only 1 item while 3 other restaurant staff stood guard by the door platters in hand ready to clear tables that were slow to be served. We left without getting our food after 1.5 hours.