logo
  • News
  • Events
  • Eat
  • Drink
  • Neighborhoods
  • Features
  • More…
    • Best of Warsaw
    • Best of Summer
    • Food Halls & Hubs
    • Going Out
    • Education
  • Magazine

02.08.2022

BlogInsider News

What Stood in Warsaw’s Center Over 100 Years Ago?

Today Piłsidski’s Square is a large open square in the middle of Poland’s capital. Originally the courtyard of the now nonexistent Saski Palace, the square is now mostly known as the location of the palace’s remaining archways – also the home of the grave of the Unknown Soldier – where the daily ritual of the changing of the guards attracts many curious onlookers.

What stood on the square before? Few remember that the square served as the ground for a building that, while it stood, was the tallest in Warsaw. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral – a Russian Orthodox Cathedral built between 1894 and 1912 – was a monumental structure. Designed by renowned Russian architect, Leon Benois, the building was a symbol of the Russian occupation of Poland. After standing for a mere 13 years, the Cathedral was met with a fate similar to many Russian Orthodox places of worship in Poland, and demolished around 1925. As Poland regained its independence after 123 years of Prussian, Austrian and Russian occupation, any reminders of its tyrannical past were deemed unsightly.    

Read more

30.03.2023

On This Day: Warsaw’s Engineering Miracle!

05.03.2023

For The Weekend: Galaxy Playground

01.03.2023

Monuments of Warsaw: Chopin

Read more

30.03.2023

On This Day: Warsaw’s Engineering Miracle!

05.03.2023

For The Weekend: Galaxy Playground

01.03.2023

Monuments of Warsaw: Chopin

logo

Guide to good living
and fast times in Poland’s
capital

  • News
  • Insights
  • Events
  • Eat
  • Drink
  • Neighborhoods
  • Features
  • Culture
  • Best of Warsaw
  • Magazine

Magazine

  • Editorial Team
  • Newsletter Signup
  • Policy

Advertise With Us

  • Insider Media Kit
  • Guidelines
  • Distribution

Contact

  • Subscriptions
  • Career

VALKEA MEDIA S.A., www.valkea.com ul. Ficowskiego 15/17, Warszawa, Poland; tel. (48 22) 6398567; e-mail: insider@warsawinsider.pl
All information ©2022 Warsaw Insider.

We know because we do.

We uncover the best of the city and put it all in an email for you.

By entering your email address you agree to our Terms
of Use and Privacy Policy, and consent to receive emails
from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions.