Eastern and Central Europe (Eyewitness Travel Guides)

WARSAW 175

Zygmunt’s

Column^1

Kolumna Króla Zygmunta

Plac Zamkowy. Map D2. @ 100,

116, 175, 178, 180, 195, 222, 503,

N44 (on-request stop night bus).

v 13, 23, 26, 32.

Placed in the centre of Plac

Zamkowy, King Zygmunt’s

Column is the oldest secular

statue in Warsaw. It was

erected in 1644 by Zygmunt

III Waza’s son, Władysław IV.

This monument, which stands

22 m (72 ft) high, consists of

a striking Corinthian granite

column supported on a tall

plinth and topped by a

bronze statue of the ruler,

who is depicted with a cross

in his left hand and a sword

in his right. The figure was

created by Clemente Molli,

and the monument was

designed by Augustyn Locci

the Elder and Constantino

Tencalla, two Italian architects

working for the king. The

monument glorifies the ruler

in a manner which had until

then been reserved for saints

and other religious figures.

Des pite repeated damage

and repairs, the statue retains

its original appearance.

However, the column on

which it stands has already

been replaced twice. An

older, fractured shaft can be

seen on the terrace near the

south façade of the Palace

Under the Tin Roof.

The Historical Museum

of Warsaw (see p176)

occupies the north side

of Old Town Square.

Statue of Zygmunt III Waza at the

top of Zygmunt’s Column

WĄSKI DUNAJ

KOŁO

NOWOMIEJSKA

BUGAJ

RYNEK

STAREGO

MIASTA

STAR SIGHTS

. Cathedral of St John
. Royal Castle
. Old Town Square

Barbican and

City Walls

This impressive

brick fortification,

constructed between

the 14th and 16th

centuries, once pro-

tected the northern

approach to the city.

. Old Town Square
One of the most beautiful sights of
Warsaw, this square pulsates with
life until late in the evening 4
Statue of the
Mermaid

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0 yards

100

100

KEY

Suggested route