Warszawa

Wilanów Palace

View of the corps de logis from the cour d'honneur.
Building
Architectural style	Baroque
Town	Warsaw
Country	Poland
Construction
Started	1677
Completed	1696
Design team
Architect	Augustyn Wincenty Locci

Wilanów Palace (Polish: Pałac w Wilanowie; Pałac Wilanowski) in Wilanów, Warsaw is, together with its park and other buildings, one of the most precious monuments of Polish national culture.

Contents 1 History 2 Design 3 References 4 Gallery 5 External links

[edit] History

Wilanów Palace survived the time of Poland's partitions and both World Wars and has preserved its authentic historical qualities. It was built for the Polish king John III Sobieski in the last quarter of the 17th century and later was enlarged by other owners.^[1] It represents the characteristic type of baroque suburban residence built entre cour et jardin (between the entrance court and the garden). Its architecture is original—a merger of European art with old Polish building traditions.^[1] Upon its elevations and in the palace interiors antique symbols glorify the Sobieski family, especially the military triumphs of the king.

After the death of John III Sobieski in 1696, the palace was owned by his sons and later by the famous magnate families Sieniawscy, Czartoryscy, Lubomirscy, Potoccy and Braniccy. In 1720, the property was purchased by Polish stateswoman Elżbieta Sieniawska.^[1] Between 1730 and 1733 it was a residence of August II the Strong, also a king of Poland. Every owner changed the interiors of the palace, as well as the gardens and grounds, according to the current fashion and needs.

In the year 1805 the owner Stanisław Kostka Potocki made a museum in a part of the palace, one of the first public museums in Poland.^[1] Besides European and Oriental art, the central part of the palace displayed a commemoration of king John III Sobieski and the glorious national past. The palace was damaged by Germans forces in World War II,^[2] but it was not demolished after the 1944 Warsaw Uprising. After the war, the palace was renovated, and most of the collection stolen by Germany was repatriated. In 1962 it was reopened to the public.^[3][4]

The palace and park in Wilanów is not only a priceless testimony to the splendour of Poland in the past, but also a place for cultural events and concerts, including Summer Royal Concerts in the Rose Garden and the International Summer Old Music Academy.^[5]

[edit] Design

The structure was designed by Augustyn Wincenty Locci. Many reliefs and other secondary aspects of the facade were created by Andreas Schlüter.^[6] In the rear, on the south wall, is an ornate sundial.^[7][8]

[edit] References

[edit] Gallery

Wilanów Palace in the 1770s

Wilanów Palace in the 1900s

Baroque garden façade

Rococo garden façade

[edit] External links

• Media related to Wilanów Palace at Wikimedia Commons
• Wilanów Palace Museum

Coordinates: 52°9′55″N 21°5′25″E / 52.16528°N 21.09028°E / 52.16528; 21.09028