Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary and of Saint Joseph

The Carmelite Church on Krakowskie Przedmiescie, just north of the Presidential Palace, has one of Warsaw's most prominent street facades. Construction began in 1661, the present interior was built from 1681 to designs by Jozef Karol Lubienski, and the striking neoclassical facade was added in 1782 to 1784 by Efraim Schroeger, who had just returned from Italy. Its columned front with a crowning statue of Christ is considered the earliest work of Polish neoclassicism. Frederic Chopin was blessed here as an infant in 1810 - a plaque inside marks the spot. Unlike almost every other church on Krakowskie Przedmiescie, the Carmelite Church came through the Second World War almost untouched, because the German occupiers used the neighbouring palace as a headquarters. Today the Carmelites are back and the church is a quiet counterpoint to the demonstrations that regularly gather in front of the palace.