Wilanów Palace

Wilanów Palace is a Baroque royal palace located in Warsaw, built between 1681 and 1696 on the initiative of King John III Sobieski and his wife Maria Kazimiera, designed by Augustyn Wincenty Locci. It was expanded with side wings between 1723 and 1729. The palace now houses the Museum of King John III's Palace at Wilanów and the Poster Museum. Its architecture combines European influences with Old Polish building traditions. The interiors are adorned with works by artists such as Giuseppe Simone Bellotti and Johann Samuel Mock, making it a site of significant artistic value. Throughout its history, Wilanów served various roles: first as a magnate residence, then as the seat of the Sobieski, Sieniawski, and Lubomirski families. After 1799, under Stanisław Kostka Potocki, it became one of Poland's first public museums. Its historical significance was further acknowledged by Aleksander Stanisław Potocki, who built a family mausoleum on the grounds. During World War II, the palace suffered damage under occupation, and after the war, it was placed under state management, opening to the public in 1962. Today, Wilanów Palace hosts cultural events and concerts while preserving Poland's rich artistic and historical heritage. Philately enthusiasts can find depictions of the palace on various postage stamps, underscoring the importance of the Wilanów palace complex in Polish culture.