Palace in Wilanów
Wilanów Palace is a beautiful complex located at the end of the Royal Route, about 6 km south of the center of Warsaw. Who does not know the Wilanów palace? You? It's worth making up for it! The palace not only impresses with its grandeur and ornate facade, it is also an important monument of artistic Polish culture of the 17th century and later, its history is long and interesting. The name of the monument comes from the Italian "Villa Nova" (new villa) and only over time lost the second "l", thanks to which today it is called Wilanów. It is interesting that when the new villa residence was built, the name of this village was Milanów. The palace was built in 1677-79 for King John III Sobieski himself, according to the design of the Italian architect Augustine Locci. It referred to the ancient tradition. The facade of the palace in Wilanów, like its interior, is decorated with splendor worthy of the Baroque era and the king himself. After the death of the ruler, the palace changed owners many times, becoming the seat of noble Polish families - Sieniawski, Lubomirski, Czartoryski, Potocki and Branicki. The new owners rebuilt the residence many times, as a result of which the interiors represent several stylish epochs, from the seventeenth to the nineteenth century. At the end of the 19th century, Wilanów's goods were larger than Warsaw at that time!
And although it is usually said about men, and especially so in past eras, the flourishing of the palace in Wilanów was largely contributed by women, not only Queen Marysieńka Sobieska, but also the significant in Europe Elżbieta Sieniawska (Grand Hetman's Crown)or Izabela Lubomirska called the blue awning. But let's also not take credit for men, the most important in the history of the Wilanów palace is, of course, King Jan III Sobieski, known as a brave and powerful chieftain, at the head of the famous Polish hussars. But did you know that he had a great passion for books and science? He knew many scholars of his time, he liked to talk to them and explore knowledge. He was interested not only in philosophy, but also in architecture and even astronomy. For helping Jan Heweliusz, he returned the favor by calling one of the constellations Sobieski's Shield. Stanisław Kostka Potocki, with an extremely wide range of his interests, also turned out to be extremely significant for this property. It was during his time that not only the palace was expanded, but also the wonderful Wilanów gardens were designed.
Visiting the palace
The palace in Wilanów is open to tourists for a fee. From what we have noticed, exhibitions in the palace like to change, now we have come across the Old Chinese and Hunting Rooms of the Potocki family, the Exhibition of plafonds from the King's Library and the collection of antiquities. Photographs may not be taken in all rooms. You can invariably visit the White Hall or the Royal Apartments. The first one was established around 1730, when the Wilanów estate was leased by King August II the Strong. It is the largest and most impressive interior, today representing the decor of the 19th century. Here you will see images of successive owners of the palace, including King Jan III and other representatives of the Sobieski family. The magnificent "Portrait of Stanisław Kostka Potocki on a Horse" by Jacques-Louis David is one of the most valuable works of art in Polish collections. The size of the hall makes quite an impression!
Of the Royal Apartments, the Bedroom of King Jan III Sobieski, which was a place of important meetings with the audience, deserves special attention. This custom is not Polish, but the queen brought it from her side. The anti-camera, or representative hall, is a place where courtiers were waiting for a conversation with the king. According to the customs of the Baroque, such meetings took place in the camera, i.e. in the King's Bedroom. During the audience, the king lay in a parade bed while the visitors stood. Only the immediate family and the most distinguished guests could sit in the company of the ruler. Unique ceiling decorations have been preserved here, they are one of the most valuable Baroque art monuments in Poland. The ceiling paintings were made by the court painter of Jan III - Jerzy Eleuter Szymonowicz-Siemiginowski.
Next to the King's Bedroom, you can enter the Queen's Bedroom - his beloved wife Marysieńka, with original furniture and objects. It was Jan III Sobieski who said goodbye to her in many places in Poland when he set off for Vienna, which is the subject of numerous local legends.
Fortunately, the times of museum slippers have passed in the Wilanów palace, you can also visit the palace individually, not necessarily with a guide. Usually, walking around the interiors is accompanied by audiobooks. At the entrance there is a cloakroom, where you should leave your backpacks, you can also have an outerwear. There are also toilets available on site, but they could use a refresh. The palace cannot be visited with strollers, these can be left in the cloakroom, a baby carrier can be rented on site.
Park in Wilanów
The wonderful, historic garden and park surrounding the palace occupies 43 hectares and represents various styles, architectural objects and sculptures are nicely integrated into the greenery. The park was established in the second half of the 17th century as a palace garden of King Jan III Sobieski.
The oldest part of the garden is a two-storey, reconstructed baroque garden, which impresses with its geometric arrangement of vegetation, fountains and stone statues. An additional decoration are sarcophagi, columns and obelisks. An English landscape park stretches north of the palace in Wilanów, while the Neo-Renaissance style is represented by the so-called Rose Garden.
On the other side of Wilanów Lake, however, King Jan III of Poland had his game. The area was wet and densely wooded, and the ruler and his guests hunted there.
Royal Garden of Light
In the winter season, the gardens in Wilanów miraculously turn into the Royal Garden of Light every afternoon. Thousands of LED lights flash here, illuminating the dark, long evenings. Shows and mapping with music make this show delightful. It's something great and it's really worth going to the palace in Wilanów! The garden is usually open from October to February, and the sightseeing route is about 1 km long!
On the way to the palace, it is worth seeing the church of St. Anna (ul. Biedronki 1a) or the neo-Gothic Mausoleum of Stanisław and Aleksandra Potocki (ul. S. Kostki Potocki 10/16).
Practical information
Mon, Thu-Sun 10.00-16.00
Tue closed palace
Wed - visiting the palace with an educator from 10.00-16.00, prior booking is required
There are: White Hall, Royal Apartments, exhibition of ceilings from the King's Library, collection of antiquities, Chinese Rooms and Hunting Rooms, as well as the Warehouse Gallery
Wilanów Park is open every day.
Entrance to the palace courtyard is subject to a fee, as part of a ticket to the park.
Tickets to the palace: normal PLN 25 (with the Large Family Card PLN 19), reduced PLN 20 (with the Large Family Card PLN 15)
Park tickets: normal PLN 7, reduced PLN 4 (with KDR PLN 5 and PLN 3)
Children under 7 free of charge
Thursday is a day of free sightseeing
Royal Garden of Light
daily until 27 February 2022 except 24 and 31 December 2021
16.00-21.00
Tickets to the Garden of Light: Mon-Thu normal PLN 20, reduced: PLN 5, fri-nd (additionally mapping) normal PLN 40, reduced PLN 10
Children under 7 free of charge
Tickets for the palace and garden can be purchased online: bilety.wilanow-palac.pl
Parking: free of charge, located about 300 meters from the palace
The palace is not adapted to strollers, strollers can be left in the locker room and use a stretcher, own or rented in the locker room.
Events for people with hearing and visual impairments were prepared in the palace.
Wilanów Palace - Museum of King Jan III's Palace
ul. Stanisława Kostki Potockiego 10/16, Warsaw
tel. 22/544-27-00
www.wilanow-palac.pl
tel. 801-011-779, 22/ 842-07-95
