Lazienki Palace is one of the city’s finest examples of classicist-style architecture. Nicknamed the “Palace on the Isle,” the building is set on an artificial island in the middle of a large lake. Look at the palace’s magnificent exterior and visit the museum inside, which holds valuable paintings and sculptures collected by the last Polish king.
Admire the palace’s impressive façade as you approach the entrance. Notice how the classic colonnades gracefully connect the palace to the lakeshore on either side. Originally the site of a bathhouse, the palace was later expanded to become the summer residence of King Stanisław August in the 18th century. The palace was severely damaged during World War II. Although some areas of the interior remained intact, much of the palace you see today is a careful reconstruction.
Inside the palace, explore the king’s extravagant private chambers and grand ballrooms. The palace’s ornate interior is decorated with more than 140 pieces of art from the king’s collection. Look for Anton R. Mengs’ Portrait of the English Ambassador to Russia, Sir Charles Hanbury and for Jan Victors’ Jacob and Esau, among the most important pieces on display.
Don’t miss the 17th-centuy Dutch sandstone tile work in the Bacchus Room. This room also features a beautiful painting by Jacob Jordaens the Elder depicting mythological characters Flora, Silenus and Zephyr.
Visit the Solomon Room, which holds a series of paintings by Marcello Bacciarelli that tell the story of Solomon. Check out the well-preserved period furniture in the Dining Room.
Head to the centre of the palace to see the Rotunda, a fine example of neoclassical interior decoration. Just beyond the Rotunda lies a small gallery that contains paintings by artists including Rubens and Rembrandt.
Lazienki Palace is located 1.4 miles (2.4 kilometres) from Warsaw’s city centre. Reach the palace by bus. Find several bus stops near the palace’s western gate on Ujazdowskie Avenue. The palace is open daily and has an admission fee.
