Warsaw's new old city

Stare Miasto began in the 13th century around the castle of the Dukes of Masovia, which then became the Royal Palace. Initially, the old city was surrounded by a dirt wall that was later replaced by a stone wall. For many years the neighbourhood played a central role in city life. However, during the 19th century this part of Poland that included Warsaw was conquered by the Russian Empire, and Stare Miasto lost its commercial importance as the heart of the capital. After World War I, Poland regained its sovereignty and the castle became the seat of the country's highest office - that of the president and his chancellery. The country’s self-determination proved short-lived when Germany invaded in 1939. Although the Luftwaffe caused substantial damage to the old city, most of it survived. But when in 1944 the Germans retaliated for the Warsaw Uprising, they left Stare Miasto in ruins.