Krasiński Palace, Warsaw

Sometimes known as the Palace of the Commonwealth, Krasiński Palace was built between 1677 and 1683 for Jan Dobrogost Krasiński, the Voivode (or Chieftain) of the city of Płock. A member of an old Mazovian noble family and heir to a considerable fortune, Krasiński had a strong interest in French culture and architecture. He employed several French artists to work on the residence, while the interior frescoes were created by the Italian painter Michelangelo Palloni.

As you approach the palace, take in its broad Baroque façade and the formal setting around it. Although the building appears historic, much of what you see today is the result of careful post-war reconstruction. The state purchased the palace in 1765, after which it housed the Treasury Commission and later the Supreme Court of Poland.

During the Second World War, the palace was burned and largely destroyed by German forces. Much of the artwork and many of the historical objects kept inside were lost during the Warsaw Uprising. Only a small fraction of the former collection survived.

Today, Krasiński Palace forms part of the Polish National Library and houses special collections. The interior is not always open to casual visitors, but the surrounding gardens are freely accessible and well worth exploring.

From the front of the palace, continue into Krasiński Garden, where you will find fountains, shaded paths, lawns, and several memorials. As you walk through the park, look for the decorative Baroque gate on the side facing Bohaterów Getta Street. Its elaborate stonework offers a reminder of the palace’s aristocratic origins.