Palace on the Island (Pałac na Wyspie)

The current appearance of the palace is largely influenced by a major expansion that took place in the 17th century, ordered by Crowning Marshal Stanisław Herakliusz Lubomirski. Between 1772-1793, King Stanisław August Poniatowski transformed it into a classicist building, designed by Dominik Merlini and Jan Chrystian Kamsetzer. The newly-created palace became the summer residence of the King, and it was at his famous summer lunches, which took place on Thursdays, that the most renowned and notorious painters, sculptors, poets and writers converged. Between 1788-1793, the palace was rebuilt in the classical style, with all scenic paintings and sculptures provided by Marcello Bacciarelli and Jan B. Plersch. After the death of King Stanisław August Poniatowski, the palace passed into the hands of Prince Józef Poniatowski and in 1817, it became a Caesarian residence. In the interwar period, it was a part of the State Art Collection. In the autumn of 1944, Germans moved all furniture and art to the Third Reich and set the palace on fire. It was rebuilt in 1945-1960 under the direction of architect Jan Dąbrowski, who restored it largely to its 17th century appearance. The palace is on an artificial island, in the middle of a lake, hence its name (Palace on the Island); it is connected to the land by two bridges with classicist columns.