The Old Orangery

The Old Orangery, also known as Stara Oranżeria, is a Neoclassical building located in Warsaw's Royal Łazienki Park, constructed between 1786 and 1788 according to a design by Dominik Merlini. The structure was originally built to house orange trees that adorned the park's pathways during the summer, while its eastern wing housed the Stanisławowski Theatre. The architecture of the Orangery is reminiscent of the Grand Trianon at Versailles and is characterized by its rectangular horseshoe shape and minimalist, austere Neoclassical style. The interior of the building, including the Winter Garden, houses the Royal Sculpture Gallery, which contains valuable sculptures from King Stanisław August's collection that survived World War II. The Stanisławowski Theatre was inaugurated on September 6, 1788, with its first performances. A key feature of this theatre is its original decor, including illusionist paintings by Jan Bogumił Plersch depicting an elite audience. In the 19th century, the theatre underwent renovation while retaining its original character. The building survived World War II and has been open to visitors since 1962. In 2017, the theatre became one of the stages of the Polish Royal Opera. Another point of interest is the Dutch Garden, created in 2015, which replaced grassy sections of the historical layout. The Old Orangery is not only a remarkable example of architecture but also an important site in Polish culture and history, closely associated with the ruler Stanisław August Poniatowski.