The square, of somewhat triangular shape, features the landmark Sigismund's Column to the south-west, and is surrounded by historic townhouses.

On the east side of the square stands the Royal Castle, reconstructed after the devastation of World War II.

The Germans bombed and blew it up at the beginning of World War II (September 1939), and then it was completely destroyed in 1944–45 (see picture below).

In 1997, at the Castle Square, US President Bill Clinton gave a speech welcoming Poland to membership in NATO.

[4] Castle Square featured the United Buddy Bears exhibition in summer 2008 – an array of 140 two-metre-high sculptures, each designed by a different artist, touring the world as a symbol of cultural understanding, tolerance and mutual trust.