Warsaw's Chopin Benches

Chopin Bench. Public Domain/cc by 3.0

Frédéric Chopin is one of the world’s most well-known composers and Poland’s most famous musician. He was born in Warsaw, where he spent the first 20 years of his life before leaving to start a new life in Paris. During the 20 years Chopin spent in Warsaw, he interacted with the city and was influenced by it in many ways. These interactions and influences have been accentuated by the Warsaw Chopin benches.

The Chopin benches can be found in 15 places across Warsaw, all somehow connected to Chopin and his life in the city. The benches themselves are made from black polished metal and granite, but that’s not all.

They also offer a map that marks the locations of the other benches, with tidbits about their locations written in both English and Polish. To top it all off, there’s a button on the benches that when pressed releases a short clip of one of Chopin’s masterful works.

The benches were designed by Professor Jerzy Porębski and are placed by the city in collaboration with the Chopin museum. Following the route of the benches takes you to some of the most important spots around Warsaw, and provides weary travelers ample resting opportunities on their journey through the city.

Know Before You Go

Most benches are freely accessible, but some are inside museums or attractions and thus require a ticket to get to them. Below are a list of all locations and the music that they play. 1. Krasińskich Square – Mazurka in A minor Op. 17 No. 4; 39" 2. Miodowa Street – Mazurka in A minor Op. 68; 34" 3. Kozia Street – Song "Merrymaking"; 29" 4. Music Conservatory – Waltz in E-flat major Op. 18; 39" 5. Wessel Palace – Grande Polonaise in E-flat major Op. 22; 35" 6. Radziwiłł Palace – Rondo in C minor Op.1; 32" 7. Saxon Palace – Mazurka in B-flat major Op. 7 No. 1; 36" 8. Saxon Garden – Nocturne in B major Op. 9 No. 3; 47" 9. The Visitationists Church – Largo in E-flat major (op. posth.); 46" 10. Kazimierzowski Palace – Waltz in E minor (op. posth.); 45" 11. Czapski Palace – Waltz in D-flat major Op. 64 No. 1; 42" 12. The Holy Cross Church – Funeral March from Sonata in B-flat minor Op.35; 45" 13. Zamoyski Palace – Etude in C minor Op. 10 No. 12; 42" 14. Gniński – Ostrogski Palace – Ballade in F minor Op. 52; 42" 15. Fryderyk Chopin Statue in the Royal Baths Park – Polonaise in A major Op. 40 No. 1; 39"