Description: Wilanow Palace is another of Poland's treasures and is sometimes called 'the Polish Versailles.' The majestic building and gardens is situauted about ten kilometres out of the city in a peaceful suburb where many diplomats and business people live.
To find the palace take a bus (No 116 or 180) to the park entrance, tram or taxi. The park is open Wednesday to Monday from 9am until 4pm, until 6pm on Wed and 7pm on Sunday. Open from May 18 to September.
The former summer residence of King Jan III Sobieski, who defeated the Turks in the Battle of Vienna in 1683 is considered to be the most beautiful secular baroque building in Poland. Set in an extensive park, it has retained all the grandeur of a royal residence. The rooms of the palace were restored after the Second World War and furnished with the original inventory.
The ground floor of the main building is furnished with original items from the time of Jan III Sobieski and Marie Casimire d' Arquien Sobieska. In the Queen's bedroom the walls are covered with baroque fabric while in the king's there is a bed with a baldachin canopy made of Turkish fabrics won at Vienna.
In addition to the historic furniture and valuable porcelain, the Portrait Gallery is definitely worth visiting. Famous portraits painted by Polish artists from the 16th to 19th century are worth lingering over even though you won't see many smiling faces. They all look very serious and somewhat depressed. Look out for the large painting of the early 19th century owner of the palace, antique collector and archaelogist Stanislaw Kostka Potocki, by Jacques Louis David. This one is a stunner. Also here, coffin portraits are exhibited which add a bit of Gothic entertainment. I am rather fond of these.
In the south wing, the bathroom and apartments of Duchess Izabella Lubomirska survived while in the Grand Vestibule are decorations by Zug including classical furnishings and baroque allegories of the four elements.
There isn't any special time to visit the Palace as in the week the building and grounds are visited by schoolchildren and then at weekends visitors come from all over Poland. Sometimes when walking around the different rooms you will find yourself a little frustrated as tour groups will be occupying the room you want to visit so you have to count to ten and be patient. But it is worth it so remember that saying - patience is a virtue.
Open 09.30 - 18.30, Tuesday, Thursday. Friday 09.30 - 16.30, Sunday 10.30 - 17.30.
The last ticket is sold 90 minutes before closing.
Admission 12zl to 16zloty (£3 - £4) - Sunday Free.
Guided tours 90zloty (£22) - this is for a group but have to be booked in advance.
Parks and Gardens
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Whether as a mass of blossom in the spring or a shady retreat in the summer, whether golden in the autumn or snow-covered in winter, the Palace Park is enchanting in every season.
Founded in the 17th century in old French style, this geometric park of hedges and trees spans over two levels, the oldest part enclosing the palace. However, further on this French style merges into the English style with a section of Rose Garden which was designed by SB Zug, enclosing the complex on the south side.The entire ground occupies an area of 43 hectares and proves a wonderful setting for Wilanow Palace. Among the trees several buildings have been erected; one a neo-gothic castle which is in fact a pumping station, also a Chinese arbour, and figures of antique gods and goddesses and decorative vases in abundance. Beyond the monument, commemorating victory at the Battle of Raszyn in 1809 which was fought between Napoleon's army and the Russians, is a man made island that is reached by way of a Roman bridge.
Sometimes I find it very peaceful just to actually visit the gardens separately and not enter the Palace at all. You can spend at least two hours walking around all the gardens and in Autumn the colours of fallen leaves are beautiful as they blend with the shadows from the cool grey skies on to the lake.
Other attractions worth seeing in the grounds are;
Poster Museum
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The reputation of the art of Polish posters makes a visit to the Poster Museum in the former riding school almost obligatory. The posters are a vivid record of Poland's postwar history and the political role that posters assumed.
Last ticket is sold 30 minutes before closing. Admission from 6zloty to 9 zloty. Monday free.
Open Mon- 12-3.30pm - Tues-Sun 10am-3.30pm
Orangery
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The 18th century Orangery harbours an exhibition called the Polish Arts and Crafts from the Wilanow Historical Collection which is composed of 430 items gathered by Wilanow's owners. The items on display come from excellent workshops and they include Poland's largest collection of biscuit pottery which is fired but unglazed porcelain or, rarely, faience pottery, as well as objects made of china and gold, and clocks and products of Far Eastern origin. A fascinating collection and well worth seeing.
St.Anna's Church
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Surrounded by a fence depicting the stations of the Calvary Passion Road, this cross-shaped church was built in the years 1772-75 as a typical basillica in the neo-Renaissance style, but with a Baroque facade. In the presbytery the original floor has been preserved, made of Egyptian granite from a column in the Caesar Hadrian Temple of Peace in Rome. This was a gift of Pope Pius 1X to the Duchess Aleksandra Potocka. Other surviving features are the 18th century font and the 19th century wooden organ, along with sculptures, frescoes and paintings. Close by is a historical inn and forge adapted to serve as a restaurant called Kuznia and cafe Hetmanska.
Potocki Tomb
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This neo-Gothic tomb was built by A Potocki for his parents Stanislaw Kostka Potocki and Aleksandra Potocka in the years 1834-36. It was designed by Enrico Marconi and is decorated with the figures of lions and the coats of arms of two families, the Potocki and the Lubomirski. I know some people find visiting tombs a bit morbid but I actually like this neo-gothic style and it seems in Warsaw there are a lot of representations of the style not only in Wilanow but in other parks and cemetries.
Admission from 3 zloty to 5 zloty but free on Thursday. Opening times are the same as the Palace and Museum.
Conclusion
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The Palace and whole park complex is one of great beauty and historical interest. I am always amazed with the many beautiful pieces of architectue and lavish parks and gardens Warsaw has to offer. As I have stated above this is ten kilometres out of the city and a 30 minute journey by bus so some people might choose to leave a visit out of their itinerary if only coming for a weekend but it really is worth a trip out of the city centre especially in Spring or Autumn when the colours of the gardens are at their most dramatic.
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