Łazienki Królewskie - shrine of muses

In 1674, Grand Marshal of the Crown Stanisław Herakliusz Lubomirski bought Ujazdów and the forest preserve, where hunting had previously taken place. He built the Hermitage and the Baths on an island, with an Italian garden around it and radial paths. The author of the project was Tylman née Gameren. It was supposed to be the "tabernacle of the muses", which is why the symbolism of this place is related to water. The building on the water was called Hipokrene, which means the mythical source of Helikon - a source of poetic inspiration. It flowed from the hooves of the mythical Pegasus on the sap of the Helikon Mountains. Around this spring, many of Apollo's muses gathered and danced, giving inspiration to poets and artists. This symbolism was developed by King Stanisław August Poniatowski. He transformed the Bathhouse building into the classicist Palace on the Isle. Sculptures depicting the gods of Olympus, nymphs, and satyrs appeared. It was supposed to symbolize the artistic rule of the king - a patron of art, and his desire to create an ideal state. Arcadian vision of life. A place full of happiness, prosperity, peace and justice. This is where the famous "Thursday dinners" at King Staś's took place, music resounded, theater developed, politicians and intellectuals debated.
The Royal Garden is the oldest part of the Łazienki Park, and the palace on the water is the dominant feature of the entire complex. There are three ponds on its axis and this is the main garden axis of the Royal Łazienki Park.
The northern pond ends with a bridge with a monument to Jan III Sobieski. The monument dates back to 1788, commissioned by King Stanisław August Poniatowski.
On the southern pond you can see an island with an Amphitheater, which refers to the Roman ruins of Herculanum and the Roman Forum, and this pond is connected to another one - a bridge with a cascade. During the king's times, from the south, the viewing axis reached through Mokotów to Wilanów.
The Palace on the Isle was connected to the White House by a wide Royal Promenade. Today it is an avenue with a lawn in the middle. Originally, it was about 420 m long, running between two canals, decorated with orange trees in pots and shaded with vines growing on the plant.
The White House was built in 1774-76 according to the design of Dominik Merlini. It was the first garden pavilion built for King Stanisław August Poniatowski, once surrounded by canals, it referred to the Lubomirski Baths. It is the most unique monument of 18th century residential architecture in Poland, almost completely preserved, including decorations and furnishings. In the years 1801-1804, King Louis XVIII of France lived there with Princess Maria Theresa, forced to emigrate as a result of the French Revolution.
In 1766, one of the most important roads was built - the road from Ujazdowski Castle to Wilanów. In 1780, due to the fashion for the so-called Chinese, it was called Chinese Avenue. This is the border between the Royal Garden and the Romantic Garden. While walking, you can look into the intimate Chinese garden.
Stanisław August collected sculptures that also decorate the garden. The Sculpture Gallery was established in the Great Orangery, the so-called The Old Orangery, also connected to the Royal Theater. The regular conservatory garden with a fountain in the middle is a garden gallery, and in summer it is decorated with orange, lemon and tangerine trees, displayed in pots, also near the Palace on the Isle, the Myślewicki Palace and the White House. On the western side there was a utility garden. Vegetables and fruits were cultivated, there was a figgary, a pineapple room, an orangery and greenhouses. In 1818, this area was transformed into the Botanical Garden of the University of Warsaw.
During the times of King Stanisław August Poniatowski, in addition to the geometric French style, the free English landscape style entered the gardens. The goal was to imitate nature. The composition was based on paths leading along arches, vast lawns and picturesque clearings, groups of trees and solitaires creating scenic views. This style developed in the 19th century.
In the north-eastern part of the garden, the Myślewicki Palace was built in 1774. Design by Dominik Merlini. A representative driveway with a lawn in the front, and at the back there was a garden with a fountain and an aviary for birds. The palace housed an apartment for the king's nephew - Prince Józef Poniatowski. In the 19th century and the interwar period, army commanders from nearby barracks lived here, after World War II it served government purposes, among others. In the years 1958 - 1970, secret talks between representatives of the People's Republic of China and the United States took place here. Guests here include: Indira Gandhi and Richard Nixon.
Łazienki Królewskie Museum, ul. Agrykola 1, Warsaw, Poland
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