Address: S.K.Potockiego St., 10/16
Phone: 48-22-842-81-01
Wilanow (or “Villa nova”) is probably one of the most beautiful buildings in Warsaw. The Wilanow Palace was built at the end of the 17th century for the king John III Sobieski and his wife. Many outstanding architects and artists participated in the Palace creation, including Michelangelo Palloni and Andrzej Schluter. The Baroque style palace is remarkable for its architecture: it’s a result of blending the European art with the Old-Polish building tradition.
After John III Sobieski’s death his son inherited the Palace. Since 1720 the Wilanow became the residence of powerful and wealthy noble dynasties: Lubomirski, Potocki, Branicki and others. The owners of the Palace adapted its interiors and surroundings to their needs, tastes or prevailing styles. That’s why the Palace bears features of different epochs. The most valuable sections of the palace represent three styles: the oldest, Baroque royal chambers are located in the central part of the building. The Southern wing and adjacent pavilion, which used to serve as a bathroom, were added according to the order of Isabel Lubomirski in the 18th century. The Northern wing contains rooms built and furnished by the Potocki family in the 19th century.
Unlike many other structures of Warsaw, the Wilanow Palace escaped destruction during the World War II. It was carefully preserved, and after the end of the war, the Palace itself, the surrounding gardens and the landscape park were turned into public museum and opened in 1962. For its beauty and magnificence the Wilonow Palace is often called the Polish Versailles.
The park and gardens, surrounding the Wilonow Palace, are full of surprises and hidden structures. Here one can find nice Chinese pavilion and Orangery.
The Wilonow Palace worthy visiting not only because of its striking architecture and luxurious interiors, but also for the works of art exhibited there. The Palace houses the Gallery of Polish portraiture with large collection of portraits from the 16th up to the 19th centuries. In the Orangery the outstanding examples of handicrafts are on display. They include precious objects of European ceramics, porcelain, furniture, glass, silver plates and other handmade things. The main goal of the exhibition is to show the unique pieces of the Wilanow collection and bring close to the public tastes and passions of the former owners of the Palace. At the same time the exhibition familiarizes the audience with everyday life in the past epochs, putting on the show plain, purely utilitarian objects.
Once you’re in the Wilonow Palace, you’ll enjoy the magnificent interiors, works of art and beautiful paintings.