Wilanów
The palace in Wilanów is called "the most beautiful of the beautiful" and "the Polish Versailles". This impressive 17th-century residence of king Jan III Sobieski, together with the park, is a gem of Polish Baroque architecture. It is one of the most important national monuments in Polish heritage. In 1677, in Wilanów near Warsaw, king Jan III Sobieski erected a residence for himself and his beloved Marysieńka. After his death, the palace was inhabited by famous baronial families: the Sieniawski, Czartoryski, Potocki and Branicki families, and numerous reconstructions were conducted by the best architects. In 1805, its last owner - Stanisław Kostka Potocki - converted it into one of the first public museums in Poland. The rich ornamentation of the Polish Versailles serves as a glorification of the king's achievements, as well as those of the Sobieski family. Wandering around the richly decorated chambers, one can admire busts of ancient emperors, battle scenes, trophies and statues of ancient gods. Moreover, the interior of the palace is full of resplendent royal portraits, murals and paintings representing all schools of European painting. The palace is surrounded by a park, which represents various styles: there is a two-tier Italian Baroque garden, as well as an English and Chinese Romantic park. For those who are tired of sightseeing, a gondola awaits on the Wilanów pond. The premises of the former coach house and the riding arena are now occupied by the Poster Museum, which houses one of the biggest collections of artistic posters in the world.
Warsaw, Masovian Province
www.wilanow-palac.art.pl /EN, DE, FR/
