Zygmunt's Column (Polish: Kolumna Zygmunta) is one of Warsaw's most famous and one of the oldest secular monuments in northern Europe. It was erected 1644. The column and statue commemorate, King Zygmunt III Waza, who in 1596, moved Poland's capital from Cracow, to Warsaw.

The column was commissioned by Zygmunt's son and successor, King Władysław IV, and erected between 1643, and 1644. It was designed, by the Italian-born architect, Konstanty Tencalli, and the sculptor, Clemente Molli. It was cast by Daniel Tym. In 1681, the monument was surrounded by a wooden fence, which was later replaced with a permanent iron fence. The marble column itself, was renovated several times in the next few centuries, most notably in 1743, 1810, 1821 and 1828. In 1854, the monument was surrounded by a fountain featuring marble tritons, sculpted by the German artisan, August Kiss.

In 1863, the column was renovated somewhat again, but it still needed work, and between 1885, and 1887, was replaced with a new column of granite. Between 1927, and 1930, the monument was again renovated, and was restored to its original appearance when the fountain and the fence around it, were removed. On September 1, 1944, during the Warsaw Uprising, the monument was demolished by the Germans, and its bronze statue was seriously damaged. After the war the statue was repaired, and in 1949, it was set upon a new column, some 6 meters from the original site. The original broken pieces of the column can still be seen lying next to the Royal Castle.

The statue of Zygmunt III was the first secular figure to be placed atop a column in northern Europe.

See also

• Warsaw Old Town

Buildings and structures in Warsaw | Monuments and memorials in Poland | Monumental columns

Sigismundssäule | Kolumna Zygmunta