Wilanów Palace, Warsaw, Poland | NO SOUND | Walking Tour with Subtitles [4K]

NO SOUND

History and Present of King Jan III’s Palace at Wilanów

(Turn on Subtitles/CC to read details about this place while watching the video. They start at 1:30 and update every 15 seconds)

1. Beginnings (1677–1696)
Wilanów Palace was commissioned by King John III Sobieski and constructed between 1677 and 1696, designed by Augustyn Wincenty Locci. It blends European Baroque with traditional Polish architecture, inspired by Italian villas, French courts, and Polish noble residences. Its symbolic decorations celebrated Sobieski’s military triumphs.

2. Succession of Noble Owners (1696–1805)
After the king's death in 1696, the palace passed to his sons, then to Elżbieta Sieniawska who expanded it. From 1730 to 1733 it served as the residence of King Augustus II the Strong. Later, it belonged to the Czartoryski and Lubomirski families. Izabela Lubomirska introduced neoclassical changes and built auxiliary structures.

3. Museum Era Emerges (1805–1914)
In 1805, Stanisław Kostka Potocki opened one of Poland’s first public museums at the palace. He redesigned the gardens in the English style and expanded the art collections with European and Oriental works, including pieces by Jacques-Louis David.

4. WWI, Interwar, and WWII (1914–1945)
The palace survived both World Wars structurally intact. During World War II, German forces looted most of its furnishings. Around 80 percent were removed, though many items were later recovered and returned.

5. Postwar Restoration and Cultural Revival (1945–1994)
After the war, Wilanów was nationalized and renovated. By 1962 it became part of the National Museum in Warsaw. In 1983, the palace hosted a major exhibition marking the 300th anniversary of the Battle of Vienna. In 1994, it was declared a national Historic Monument of Poland.

6. Revitalization and Independence (1995–2013)
In 1995, the museum gained independence under the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage. It organized exhibitions, conferences, and educational programs. In 2006, it joined the Association of the Royal Residences of Europe. In 2013, it officially became the Museum of King John III’s Palace at Wilanów.

7. Today
Today the palace is a major museum and cultural centre. It attracts millions of visitors annually and is one of the most visited palaces in the world. Its gardens and grounds host concerts, festivals, and cultural events.

8. Recognition and Location
The palace is located in Warsaw’s Wilanów district at the end of the historic Royal Route. Since 1994, it has been a national Historic Monument of Poland and since 2006 a member of the Association of the Royal Residences of Europe.

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🎥 Filming:
🕙 Time - Afternoon (1 PM)
📅 Date - Weekday, August 2025

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