Wilhelm Ellis Rau Palace

The Wilhelm Ellis Rau Palace stands on Ujazdowska Avenue in Warsaw and displays Renaissance Revival features with elaborate sculptures adorning its outer walls. The building features symmetrical proportions and detailed architectural elements that reflect its classically inspired design.

The palace was built between 1866 and 1868 by Italian architect Leandro Marconi and has shaped the cityscape since then. Following its destruction in 1944, the building underwent complete reconstruction between 1948 and 1949 by Polish and Swiss architects.

The name Wilhelm Ellis Rau refers to a 19th-century merchant whose identity remains tied to this building on Ujazdów Avenue. Today visitors see a place used by diplomats and international organizations, creating a space where historical architecture serves contemporary purposes.

The building is visible from outside and sits on the busy Ujazdowska Avenue in a diplomatic quarter of Warsaw. Visitors should be aware that it functions as an embassy and public access may be limited.

The building's reconstruction after 1944 involved a Swiss architect, marking a rare international collaboration between Poland and Switzerland in postwar architecture. This partnership left its mark on how the structure was rebuilt and subsequently used.