The Warsaw Barbican (Polish: Barbakan warszawski) is the second largest barbican (semi-circular, fortified outpost) in Poland, after the Krakow one.
It is one of few remaining relics of the complex network of historic fortifications that once encircled Warsaw, being a part of the 1200 m long city walls. It serves as a kind of gate between the Old Town and New Town.
The barbican was erected in 1548, designed by Jan Baptist the Venetian (also known as Giovanni Battista the Venetian), an Italian Renaissance architect who lived and worked in the Mazowsze region of 16th century Poland.
Partially demolished in the 1800s, and further damaged during WW II, it has been restored after the War.