Belweder (; from the Italian belvedere, "beautiful view") is a neoclassical palace in Warsaw, Poland. Erected in 1660 and remodelled in the early 1800s, it is one of several official residences used by Polish presidents as well as a state guest house for visiting heads of state. The complex is situated south of Warsaw's city center, in the vicinity of the historic Royal Baths Park (Łazienki).

History

The present building is the latest of several that stood on the site since 1660. Belweder once belonged to Poland's last king, Stanislaus Augustus, who used it as a porcelain-manufacturing plant. From 1818 it was the residence of Grand Duke Constantine Pavlovich, who de facto acted as viceroy in the Congress Kingdom of Poland. He fled from Belweder at the beginning of the November 1830 Uprising.

<gallery style="text-align:center">

Image:Belweder z Lazienek Krolewskich.jpg|Garden façade of the palace

Image:Canaletto Łazienki.PNG|Łazienki Park in 1775 by Bernardo Bellotto

Image:MWP 1830 Belweder.jpg|Storming of the Belweder Palace during the November Uprising

Image:Pilsudski in Warsaw3.JPG|Statue of Józef Piłsudski in front of the Belweder, Piłsudski's residence

File:Belweder Palace in Warsaw (43742896332).jpg|Night illumination in the colour of the Polish flag, 2018

</gallery>

See also

  • Polish classicism
  • Presidential Palace
  • Royal Route
  • List of palaces in Poland

References

  • Belweder, or the Polish road to independence