In true Chumbawamba style, the Royal Castle in Warsaw got knocked down, but got back up again.
In true Chumbawamba style, the Royal Castle in Warsaw got knocked down, but got back up again. Once the political heart of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, the castle witnessed numerous historical events, including the signing of the first European constitution in 1791.
In the early 20th century, the castle was used as the residence of the President of Poland. Then, after already suffering damage in 1939, the castle was completely demolished by German forces during the Warsaw Uprising.
Yet, the spirit of the Polish people was undeterred. In 1971, a decision was made to reconstruct the Royal Castle, funded entirely by public donations. The reconstruction was a massive undertaking, but today, it stands as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and continues to play a vital role in Poland's cultural and political life.