Poland’s Iconic Locations Serve as Backdrops for International Music Videos
Poland may not be the first destination that springs to mind when you think of global music videos, but several iconic locations across the country have provided the perfect setting for some high-profile artists. From the gritty streets of Warsaw to the futuristic landscapes of Kraków, Poland has become a surprising hotspot for music video shoots.
One such video is Travis’s “The Beautiful Occupation”, filmed in Warsaw in 2003. The video showcased the city’s darker side, particularly the east end, opposite the Wschodnia train station. This area, known for its distinctive “sausage dog building” – a 508-metre-long 1970s structure – was at the time in a state of disrepair. Though the building has since been renovated, it was at its most bleak and dehumanising in the video, perfectly capturing the city’s post-communist mood. Against the stark backdrop of a cold Warsaw winter, the video saw the band dressed in cowboy outfits, playing football with local street kids and ending their day at a house party. It was a stark contrast to the grey urban landscape, injecting colour and energy into the scene.
The Style Council also ventured to Warsaw in March 1985 to shoot the video for “Walls Come Tumbling Down”, during a period when the city was at the height of communist rule. Drummer Steve White reflected on the experience, remarking how it made him appreciate life in Britain. Pianist Helen Turner quipped, “It rained the whole time—we might as well have filmed in Birmingham.” Frontman Paul Weller, never one for sentimentality, offered a blunt assessment, stating he would never return to Warsaw.
In the video, the band weaves through the dreary streets of the city, chasing trams and passing by long-gone landmarks like the Soviet-Polish Brotherhood Monument. The most memorable scenes, however, take place inside the now-demolished Akwarium jazz club, where the band performs in front of a bemused crowd of locals, many of whom struggle to keep time with the music. Today, the InterContinental skyscraper stands in place of this once legendary venue.
Another famous video filmed in Poland is Lenny Kravitz’s 2024 remake of his iconic hit. Despite offering no immediate clues that it was filmed in Poland, the video was shot at Alvernia Planet, a sci-fi-like complex just outside Kraków. The futuristic set-up is composed of 13 massive metallic domes connected by sleek glass corridors, making it look like something straight out of a science fiction film. Originally opened as a film production studio in 2000, Alvernia Planet has since transformed into a centre for entertainment and education.
Poland has also served as the backdrop for K-pop sensations. In 2023, the popular band BTS chose two spectacular locations for their “Bite Me” video. One of these locations was Warsaw’s Ufficio Primo building, a Renaissance-inspired structure from the 1950s. Known for its striking interior courtyard, the building features a domed ceiling and arcaded galleries resembling the colonnades of Kraków’s Wawel Castle. Previously home to the Ground Zero nightclub, U2 performed there in 1997, but now Ufficio Primo is notoriously difficult to access. Still, its dramatic interior makes for an unforgettable screen appearance.
The other standout location was the ruinous Krzyżtopór Castle in central Poland. Once Europe’s largest private residence, it held this title until the construction of Versailles. The castle was largely destroyed during the Swedish Deluge in the 17th century, but its vast, skeletal remains now offer a haunting and cinematic backdrop, akin to the ruins of the Colosseum in Rome.
From historical ruins to cutting-edge modernism, Poland’s diverse landscapes and unique architecture continue to make it a prime destination for international music videos, bringing global attention to the country’s rich cultural heritage and dramatic scenery.