The Residence of the President of the Republic of Poland, aka the Wisła Castle, surprised us with its… not very opulent interior. But in a positive sense of the word. We expected marble, gold and red carpets, but we found an elegant, minimalist decor. Come with us, see where the head of Poland resides. And in what exceptional natural surroundings.
There are plenty of attractions waiting for you in the Silesian Voivodeship. You must see them!
Residence of the President of the Republic of Poland in Wisła – photos
First, a few words of explanation. The building that is the President of the Republic of Poland’s Residence in Wisła consists of the Upper Castle, the Chapel of Saint Jadwiga of Silesia and the Lower Castle with ‘Gajówka’. These first two buildings are open to visitors and it is them that we will present to you. The next two serve as conference, restaurant and hotel facilities – so you can visit them, but you won’t find them on the sightseeing route.
The Residence of Poland in Wisła was built in the years 1929-1931, almost 100 years ago. It was a gift from the Silesian People to the contemporary head of state, Ignacy Mościcki. The author of the design of this noble building was the architect Adolf Szyszko-Bohusz, well known at that time. Already at the threshold, or rather in the main hall visible above, you can easily see the elements characteristic of the modernist style prevailing at that time.
What exactly were the characteristics of modernism? Functionality and minimalism were the main priorities. Just look at Andrzej Pronaszko’s room. You can see a simple sofa, modest armchairs & table, as well as a not very ornate piano. The whole is complemented by subdued colours on the walls. The interior design of the Castle is closer to IKEA than to the Palace of Versailles. And this probably surprises all visitors who didn’t check what its interior hides.
From the representative veranda we head to the dining room, where famous and popular guests from the world of politics and culture ate meals with the presidents of Poland. In addition to the huge oval table, at which you would like to sit down, attention is drawn to the large, solid windows. They are connected and extend almost to the entire wall. Excellent lighting makes the room optically larger and more spacious.
From the dining room we go through a lounge with a TV set straight to a small fireplace lounge. Unfortunately, the guide didn’t tell us whether the current president chops wood and stoke to the fire lights a fire in his free time. However, she did share with us another interesting fact about chandeliers, lamps and wall lamps. Namely, each room of the Wisła Castle has a different, specially designed lighting. Be sure to pay attention to it during the tour.
The Residence of the President in Wisła has this kind of place that even the staircase looks both modest and elegant at the same time. There are quite a few steps, because the building has 5 floors. However, we finish the “climb” on the first floor. The atmosphere changes a bit. Downstairs we had the representative rooms, here you can feel the atmosphere of work, but also relaxation.
First we visit the office of the President of Poland. The interestingly decorated furniture with glass fronts attracts attention here. It’s easy to see modernist motifs in this room – minimalism, simplicity and light are striking to the eye. However, we pay attention to something else – potted flowers. The castle in Wisła is decorated with many beautiful plants, which we know very well from home cultivation. However, in the President’s Residence they reach gigantic sizes. Someone here must take excellent care of these living exhibits.
The room that transports all visitors to the interwar period like a time machine is the office of President Ignacy Mościcki. Rumor has it that you can see the fully original furnishings here. Standing behind the desk visible in the photo, we feel as if we have gone back to the beginning of the 20th century. Looking at the old typewriter, yellowed newspapers or telephones with a dial, you can really feel the breath of those times.
It’s high time to visit a place where even the president spend a penny, namely the bathing salon with a toilet in a separate room. In the very center of the first room there is a bathtub. Its sight from the very doorstep encourages you to take a relaxing bath. Of course, such luxuries can only be enjoyed by the host or his guests, not tourists. If water treatments turns out too tiring, it is advisable to relax on a specially designed sofa. Furniture for relaxation and the surrounding forests & mountains visible through the windows create the atmosphere of a forest spa.
Another curiosity awaits us in the toilet. Is it appropriate to show such a place? Yes, if it shows concern for cleanliness and hygiene. And it turns out that this is exactly the case with the presidential toilet, because already in the 1930s there was a bidet there. But this is not the only ‘miracle of technology’ of the Castle in Wisła. Almost 100 years ago it was equipped with its own two-chamber sewage treatment plant. Quite progressive, right?
The last point of the tour of the interior of the residence is the hunting salon. Quite charming, if not for the forest trophies that decorate it. A moment later we leave the interior of the Castle in Wisła and go to the courtyard, from where the Guide takes us to the Chapel of St. Jadwiga of Silesia. This building is located on the Wooden Architecture Trail of the Silesian Voivodeship. Interestingly, it serves representatives of two denominations – Catholics and Lutherans.
The interior of the chapel is quite modest and austere. The central point is the altar, on the sides of which are placed gifts given by Polish presidents or first ladies (Jolanta Kwaśniewska, Aleksander Kwaśniewski, Maria Kaczyńska, Andrzej Duda). The worshipers can take part in services held in the chapel every Sunday (at 10:30 in the Evangelical, and at 12:00 in the Catholic). Of course, you can enter by showing your ID.
This concludes our visit to the President of the Republic of Poland’s Residence in Wisła. Leaving the grounds, we pass the tennis courts that have been there since the beginning of the Castle’s existence. At the entrance gate, we look around – the views are breathtaking. Well, being the president must be a really cool job! ; )
President’s Residence Wisła – tickets
Visiting Wisła Castle is free of charge. However, prior reservations are required. You can make a reservation by phone (33 854 65 00) or by email (zamekwisla@zamekwisla.pl). Due to the great interest in visiting the Residence of the President of the Republic of Poland, we recommend contacting the facility at least one week in advance.
Residence of the President of the Republic of Poland in Wisła – opening hours
- Visiting the Residence of the President of the Republic of Poland is only possible on specific days at designated times, specifically from Wednesday to Saturday at 11:00, 12:30 and 14:00.
- It is also possible to organize a paid tour outside the above-mentioned dates. In this case, please contact the Castle administration directly.
Wisla Castle – visiting time
A visit to the Residence of the President of Poland in Wisła takes about 1 hour (+/- 45 minutes walking around the interior of the Castle, +/- 15 minutes – in the courtyard and chapel).
Residence of the President of Poland in Wisła – how to get?
The residence of the President of the Republic of Poland in Wisła is located at Zameczek Street.
- On foot/by bike. Traditionally, we encourage ecological walking and cycling trips. The castle in Wisla is less than 9 kilometers away from the Market Square in Wisla – it is about a 2-hour walk or 25 minutes by bike in beautiful mountain nature.
- Bus. The nearest bus stops are about 20-25 minutes walk from the Presidential Residence. Unfortunately, we do not know the timetables. Unfortunately, there is no public transport directly to the facility.
- Train. If you’re planning a train trip, the nearest train station is Wisła Głębce. But from there you’ll still have a relatively long walk to the Castle in Wisła – about 1h 30min. Of course, the views will compensate the distance. 🙂
- Car. Not for the first time, a car has proven to be the most convenient means of transport in the mountains. It will take you right up to the gate of the Wisła Castle. A free car park will be waiting for you opposite.
President’s Residence Wisła – interesting facts and tips
- The Wisła Castle is not only the president’s ‘seasonal residence’. It also hosts state visits, conferences, meetings, events and recreational events. The facility also provides hotel services. What does this mean? That each of us can spend the night or party on the grounds of the Castle. In a royal presidential style! After prior reservation and for a fee, of course.
- In 2024, the Wisła Castle was made available by the president to children and young people from flood-affected areas. Groups of several dozen students were offered free accommodation with meals as part of a field trip. We respect the president for this kind gesture.
- Below you can admire a work of art made by the Highlanders from Zakopane for President Andrzej Duda in 2019. This is one of the gifts given by politicians that we mentioned in the report from the tour. Look for it in the wooden chapel on the wall to the right of the altar.
Residence of the President of the Republic of Poland in Wisła – opinions
- Patrix – 6/10. I expected an epic place, but it turned out that the President of the Republic of Poland’s Residence in Wisła has not changed for a hundred years, and as a result it is quite modest and old-school. The little castle is located in an extremely charming place – the surrounding nature allows you to breathe. It’s nice to see the interiors where the president rests and meets with other politicians. It was interesting to see this place, but don’t expect ‘fireworks’. The guide, with whom you tour the residence, resembles a history teacher from the 90s – you either like this style of guiding or you don’t. I didn’t like it very much.
- Wiolczix – 7/10. The residence of the President of the Republic of Poland in Wisła is an unusual building. It does not resemble the Presidential Palace in any way – neither from the outside nor from the inside. I was positively surprised by the classic, rather modest decor of this place. Of course, I appreciate the artistic sense of the architect and interior designer, although I personally am not convinced by this style. (But this is not supposed to convince me, only subsequent presidents.) What do I like most about the Castle in Wisła? The location. The views from the window are simply wonderful. If I had the opportunity, I would probably escape from the hustle and bustle of the city here every weekend to calm down, relax and enjoy the views. Fortunately, I don’t have to, because I have been living here for some time now. 😉 From a tourist perspective: I would rather not travel from the other end of Poland to visit the Castle, but if I were in the area, I would definitely drop by.
Wisla Castle – frequently asked questions
Where does the president of Poland reside?
The official residences of the President of the Republic of Poland are: the Presidential Palace in Warsaw, the Belweder Presidential Residence Complex in Warsaw, the Presidential Residence on the Hel Peninsula, the Presidential Residence Wisła Castle – National Historic Site, and the Manor House of the President of the Republic of Poland in Ciechocinek.
Is it possible to visit the president’s residence in Wisła?
Yes, the Residence of the President of the Republic of Poland in Wisła is open to tourists. Free guided tours are organized from Wednesday to Saturday at 11:00, 12:30, 14:00. Reservations can be made by phone or e-mail (0-33 854-65-00, zamekwisla@zamekwisla.pl) at least one week in advance.
President’s of Poland Castle – what to see?
In the Residence of the President of the Republic of Poland in Wisła, you can visit the Upper Castle with a courtyard and the wooden Chapel of St. Jadwiga of Silesia. Inside the Castle, you can admire: the main hall, the hunting salon, the Andrzej Pronaszko Hall, the dining room, the relaxation salon, the staircase, the offices (of the President of the Republic of Poland and Ignacy Mościcki) and the bathing salon. In the wooden chapel, it is worth paying attention primarily to the altar. Outside, there is an elegant courtyard, and the entire residence is surrounded by lush greenery and the majesty of the mountains.
Is the president in Wisła?
Where the president is currently staying – it is not known. : ) The exact location is probably known only to him and his closest ones. In Wisła, however, there is definitely the Residence of the President of the Republic of Poland. As we managed to establish – the head of state from time to time stays in the local Castle, where he receives guests from Poland and abroad. The current president also likes to relax in beautiful natural surroundings, especially in winter, due to the proximity of ski slopes.
Residence of the President of the Republic of Poland in Wisła – map
The residence of the President of the Republic of Poland is located in Wisła Czarne, on the slope of Zadni Groń.
