During World War II In August 1944, Nazi occupation troups destroyed more than 85% of Warsaw's 18th-century historic centre was by Nazi troops.

After the war, a five-year reconstruction campaign by its citizens resulted in today's meticulous restoration of the Old Town, with its churches, palaces and market-place.

It is an outstanding example of a total reconstruction of a span of history covering the 13th to the 20th century.