Wilanów Palace at Wilanów in Warsaw is, together with its park and other buildings, one of the most precious monuments of Polish national culture. It survived the time of partitions and wars and preserved its authentic historical qualities. It was built for the Polish king Jan III Sobieski in the last quarter of 17th century and later was enlarged by other owners. It represents the characteristical type of baroque suburban residence entre cour et jardin (between the court and garden). Its architecture is very original – it is a merger of European art with Old-Polish building tradition and its elevation and palace interiors that, using antique symbols, glorifies the Sobieski family, especially military triumphs of the king.
After the death of Jan III Sobieski in 1696, the palace was owned by his sons and later (1720) - by famous magnate families: Sieniawscy, Czartoryscy, Lubomirscy, Potoccy and Braniccy. Between 1730 and 1733 it was a residence of August II the Strong, also a king of Poland. Every owner changed the interiors of the palace, as well as the gardens and surrounding, according to the current fashion and needs.
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