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{{Short description|Palace in Warsaw, Poland}}
{{Infobox building
{{Infobox building
|image=Kazimierz Palace.JPG
|image=Kazimierz Palace.JPG
|image_size=300px
|image_size=300px
|name=Kazimierz Palace
|name=Casimir Palace
|native_name=''Pałac Kazimierzowski''
|native_name={{lang|pl|Pałac Kazimierzowski}}
|location_town=[[Warsaw]]
|location_town=[[Warsaw]]
|location_country=[[Poland]]
|location_country=[[Poland]]
|style=[[Neoclassical architecture|Neoclassical]]
|style=[[Neoclassical architecture|Neoclassical]]
|footnotes={{designation list|embed=yes
⚫
}}
|designation1=Historic Monument of Poland
|designation1_date=1994-09-08
|designation1_partof=Warsaw – historic city center with the Royal Route and Wilanów
|designation1_number=M.P. 1994 nr 50 poz. 423<ref>{{Cite Polish law|title=Zarządzenie Prezydenta Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej z dnia 8 września 1994 r. w sprawie uznania za pomnik historii.|gazette=Monitor|year=1994|volume=50|number=423}}</ref>
⚫
}}}}
⚫
The '''Casimir Palace''' ({{lang-pl|Pałac Kazimierzowski}}), formerly known as '''Villa Regia''', is a [[Reconstruction (architecture)|reconstructed]] palace located in [[Warsaw]], [[Poland]]. It is adjacent to the [[Royal Route, Warsaw|Royal Route]], at ''[[Krakowskie Przedmieście|Krakowskie Przedmieście 26/28]]''.


⚫
Originally built in 1637–41, it was first remodelled in 1660 for King [[John II Casimir]] ({{lang-pl|Jan II Kazimierz Waza}}, from whom it takes its name) and again in 1765–68, by [[Domenico Merlini]], for the [[Corps of Cadets (Warsaw)|Corps of Cadets]] established by King [[Stanisław II Augustus]]. Since 1816, the Casimir Palace has served intermittently as the seat of [[Warsaw University]].{{efn|(which was closed by the [[Russian Empire|Russian Imperial]] authorities after the failed [[November Uprising|November]] and [[January Uprising]]s, and in 1939-44 by [[Nazi Germany|the Germans]] during the [[Second World War]].}}
⚫
The '''Kazimierz Palace''' ({{lang-pl|Pałac Kazimierzowski}}) is a rebuilt palace in [[Warsaw]], [[Poland]]. It is adjacent to the [[Royal Route, Warsaw|Royal Route]], at ''[[Krakowskie Przedmieście|Krakowskie Przedmieście 26/28]]''.

⚫
Originally built in 1637-41, it was first rebuilt in 1660 for King [[John II Casimir]] ({{lang-pl|Jan II Kazimierz Waza}}, from whom it takes its name) and again in 1765-68, by [[Domenico Merlini]], for the [[Corps of Cadets (Warsaw)|Corps of Cadets]] established by King [[Stanisław II Augustus]].

Since 1816, the Kazimierz Palace has served intermittently as the seat of [[Warsaw University]] (which was closed by the [[Russian Empire|Russian Imperial]] authorities after each Uprising on the part of their Polish subjects, and in 1939-44 by [[Nazi Germany|the Germans]]).


==History==
==History==
===Origin===
===Origin===
[[File:Zygmunt Kazimierz Waza.png|thumb|left|upright|Prince Zygmunt Kazimierz Vasa in the palace's [[loggia]], facing the [[Vistula River]], 1644]]
[[File:Anonymous Ferdinand of Austria in Hungarian costume.png|thumb|left|upright|Prince Zygmunt Kazimierz Vasa in the palace's [[loggia]], facing the [[Vistula River]], 1644]]
[[File:POL Warsaw Villa Regia 1656.jpg|thumb|''Villa Regia'' ("Royal Villa"), 1656]]
[[File:POL Warsaw Villa Regia 1656.jpg|thumb|''Villa Regia'' ("Royal Villa"), 1656]]
⚫
The Casimir Palace was erected in 1637-41 for King [[Władysław IV]] in the [[Mannerist architecture and sculpture in Poland|mannerist]]-early [[Baroque]] style as a ''[[villa suburbana]]'' ([[suburb]]an [[villa]]) christened the ''Villa Regia'' ([[Latin]] for "Royal Villa"), to the design of Italian architect [[Giovanni Trevano]].<ref name= warszawa>{{cite web |url = http://www.warszawa1939.pl/index.php?r1=uniwersytet_palac&r3=0 |title = Pałac Kazimierzowski, Villa Regia |work = warszawa1939.pl |access-date = 2008-02-17|language=pl}}</ref><ref name= lileyko>{{cite book | first= Jerzy |last= Lileyko | title = Życie codzienne w Warszawie za Wazów |trans-title= Everyday Life in Warsaw under the Vasas | year =1984 | location =Warsaw | isbn =83-06-01021-3 |language=pl}}</ref> It was constructed as a rectangular building with corner towers, a type of residence known as ''Poggio–Reale - Serlio'' after the [[Poggio Reale (villa)|Villa Poggio Reale]] in Naples.


⚫
The ''Villa Regia'' had a magnificent [[loggia]] at its garden facade, with a wonderful view of the [[Vistula River]] and its opposite, [[Praga]] bank. It had four [[alcove (architecture)|alcove]]s and two gardens — a [[flower garden]] at the front, and a [[botanical garden]] at the rear. Both gardens were adorned with sculptures that had been procured by royal architect Agostino Locci. Some had been purchased in [[Florence]] for 7,000 [[Dutch gulden|guldens]], others had been produced in [[Prague]] by [[Adrien de Vries]].<ref name= kieniewicz>{{cite book | title = Warszawa w latach 1526–1795| trans-title= Warsaw in 1526–1795 | year = 1984 | editor-first = Stefan| editor-last= Kieniewicz | location =Warsaw | isbn = 8301033231 |language=pl}}</ref> According to [[Adam Jarzębski]], they had included a ''[[Hercules]] Fighting the [[Centaur]] [[Nessus (mythology)|Nessus]]'' and a ''Horse Bitten by a Snake''.<ref name= lileyko /> Another feature of the gardens was a large arbor where initially the [[Flemish people|Fleming]] royal painter Christian Melich had his studio, but which was later selected by Queen [[Ludwika Maria Gonzaga|Marie Louise Gonzaga]] as the venue for her [[literary salon]].
⚫
The Kazimierz Palace was erected in 1637-41 for King [[Władysław IV]] in the [[Mannerist architecture and sculpture in Poland|mannerist]]-early [[Baroque]] style as a ''[[villa suburbana]]'' ([[suburb]]an [[villa]]) christened the ''Villa Regia'' ([[Latin]] for "Royal Villa"), to the design of Italian architect [[Giovanni Trevano]].<ref name= warszawa>{{cite web |author = |url = http://www.warszawa1939.pl/index.php?r1=uniwersytet_palac&r3=0 |title = Pałac Kazimierzowski, Villa Regia |work = warszawa1939.pl |publisher = |pages = |page = |date = |accessdate = 2008-02-17|language=pl}}</ref><ref name= lileyko>{{cite book | first= Jerzy |last= Lileyko | title = Życie codzienne w Warszawie za Wazów |trans-title= Everyday Life in Warsaw under the Vasas | year =1984 | editor = | pages = | chapter = | chapterurl = | publisher = | location =Warsaw | isbn =83-06-01021-3 | url = | format = | accessdate = |language=pl}}</ref> It was constructed as a rectangular building with corner towers, a type of residence known as ''Poggio–Reale - Serlio'' after the [[Poggio Reale (villa)|Villa Poggio Reale]] in Naples.


⚫
The palace had rich furnishings, with [[Republic of Venice|Venetian]]-style gilded ceilings (surviving examples of such ceilings in Poland may be seen at the [[Cracow Bishops' Palace in Kielce|Bishop's Palace]] in [[Kielce]]) and brown [[Chęciny]] and black [[Dębnik, Lesser Poland Voivodeship|Dębnik]] [[marble]] [[portal (architecture)|portal]]s. In the 1650s, sculptor Giovanni Francesco Rossi created profuse [[Baroque|Roman-Baroque]]-style [[marble]] decorations, with busts of [[Roman emperors]] and of King [[John II Casimir]] and Queen [[Ludwika Maria Gonzaga|Marie Louise Gonzaga]] (today displayed at [[Gripsholm Castle]] in Sweden).<ref name= kieniewicz /> These decorations were so precious that during the [[Deluge (history)|Swedish Deluge]] [[King of Sweden|Sweden's King]] [[Charles X Gustav of Sweden|Charles X Gustav]] ordered the very window frames pulled out and transported to Sweden.<ref name= kieniewicz />
⚫
The ''Villa Regia'' had a magnificent [[loggia]] at its garden facade, with a wonderful view of the [[Vistula River]] and its opposite, [[Praga]] bank. It had four [[alcove (architecture)|alcove]]s and two gardens — a [[flower garden]] at the front, and a [[botanical garden]] at the rear. Both gardens were adorned with sculptures that had been procured by royal architect Agostino Locci. Some had been purchased in [[Florence]] for 7,000 [[Dutch gulden|guldens]], others had been produced in [[Prague]] by [[Adrien de Vries]].<ref name= kieniewicz>{{cite book | author = | coauthors = | title = Warszawa w latach 1526–1795| trans-title= Warsaw in 1526–1795 | year = 1984 | editor-first = Stefan| editor-last= Kieniewicz | pages = | chapter = | chapterurl = | publisher = | location =Warsaw | isbn = 8301033231 | url = | format = | accessdate = |language=pl}}</ref> According to [[Adam Jarzębski]], they had included a ''[[Hercules]] Fighting the [[Centaur]] [[Nessus (mythology)|Nessus]]'' and a ''Horse Bitten by a Snake''.<ref name= lileyko /> Another feature of the gardens was a large arbor where initially the [[Flemish people|Fleming]] royal painter Christian Melich had his studio, but which was later selected by Queen [[Ludwika Maria Gonzaga|Marie Louise Gonzaga]] as the venue for her [[literary salon]].

⚫
The palace had rich furnishings, with [[Republic of Venice|Venetian]]-style gilded ceilings (surviving examples of such ceilings in Poland may be seen at the [[Cracow Bishops' Palace in Kielce|Bishop's Palace]] in [[Kielce]]) and brown [[Chęciny]] and black [[Dębnik, Lesser Poland Voivodeship|Dębnik]] [[marble]] [[portal (architecture)|portal]]s. In the 1650s, sculptor Giovanni Francesco Rossi created profuse [[Baroque|Roman-Baroque]]-style [[marble]] decorations, with busts of [[Roman emperors]] and of King [[John II Casimir]] and Queen [[Ludwika Maria Gonzaga|Marie Louise Gonzaga]] (today displayed at [[Gripsholm Castle]] in Sweden).<ref name= kieniewicz /> These decorations were so precious that during the [[Deluge (history)|Swedish Deluge]] [[King of Sweden|Sweden's King]] [[Charles X Gustav of Sweden|Charles X Gustav]] ordered the very window frames pulled out and transported to Sweden.<ref name= kieniewicz />


The ''Villa Regia'' had a large concert hall, decorated with an oil-painted [[plafond]] depicting [[St. Cecilia]], [[patron saint]] of music and of Queen [[Cecilia Renata of Austria|Cecila Renata]], where the Royal Cappella Vasa gave frequent concerts, and a large collection of ancient sculptures which would be plundered during the [[Deluge (history)|Deluge]] by [[Frederick William, Elector of Brandenburg]], and taken to Berlin;<ref name= lileyko /><ref name= kieniewicz /> while the garden sculptures were taken to Sweden.<ref name= lileyko /> Then, having been plundered, the palace was burned.
The ''Villa Regia'' had a large concert hall, decorated with an oil-painted [[plafond]] depicting [[St. Cecilia]], [[patron saint]] of music and of Queen [[Cecilia Renata of Austria|Cecila Renata]], where the Royal Cappella Vasa gave frequent concerts, and a large collection of ancient sculptures which would be plundered during the [[Deluge (history)|Deluge]] by [[Frederick William, Elector of Brandenburg]], and taken to Berlin;<ref name= lileyko /><ref name= kieniewicz /> while the garden sculptures were taken to Sweden.<ref name= lileyko /> Then, having been plundered, the palace was burned.


[[File:POL Pałac Kazmierzowski Warsaw.jpg|thumb|[[:pl:Aleksander Józef Sułkowski|Sułkowski]]'s palace]]
[[File:POL Pałac Kazmierzowski Warsaw.jpg|thumb|[[Alexander Joseph Sulkowski|Sułkowski]]'s palace]]
Following the devastations wrought by the [[Deluge (history)|Deluge]], the ''Villa Regia'' was rebuilt twice, in 1652 and 1660, to designs by Izydor Affait or Titus Livius Burattini, and came to be called the "Kazimierz Palace" for King [[John II Casimir]], who favored it as a residence.<ref name= warszawa />
Following the devastations wrought by the [[Deluge (history)|Deluge]], the ''Villa Regia'' was rebuilt twice, in 1652 and 1660, to designs by Izydor Affait or Titus Livius Burattini, and came to be called the "Casimir Palace" for King [[John II Casimir]], who favored it as a residence.<ref name= warszawa />


Abandoned in 1667, the palace later became the property of King [[John III Sobieski]]. In 1695, the building was totally destroyed by fire.
Abandoned in 1667, the palace later became the property of King [[John III Sobieski]]. In 1695, the building was totally destroyed by fire.


===Rebuild===
===Rebuilding===
About 1724, the property's ownership was transferred to King [[Augustus II]]. In this period were constructed an entrance gate at ''[[Krakowskie Przedmieście]]'' and eight [[barracks]] set perpendicularly to the palace façade.
In about 1724, the property's ownership was transferred to King [[Augustus II]]. In this period were constructed an entrance gate at ''[[Krakowskie Przedmieście]]'' and eight [[barracks]] set perpendicularly to the palace façade.
[[File:Vogel Cadets Palace.jpg|thumb|[[Corps of Cadets (Warsaw)|Corps of Cadets]], 1785]]
[[File:Vogel Cadets Palace.jpg|thumb|[[Corps of Cadets (Warsaw)|Corps of Cadets]], 1785]]


In 1735, the palace became the property of Count [[:pl:Aleksander Józef Sułkowski|Aleksander Józef Sułkowski]]. A [[brickworks]], a stove factory and a [[brewery]] were established here, and in 1737-39 he rebuilt the palace, probably to a [[rococo]] design by Johann Sigmund Deybel and [[Joachim Daniel von Jauch]]. The palace was enlarged and covered with [[mansard roof]]s. The central portion of the building was adorned with a bulbous top bearing a clock and an eagle.<ref name= kieniewicz />
In 1735, the palace became the property of Count [[Aleksander Józef Sułkowski]]. A [[brickworks]], a stove factory and a [[brewery]] were established here, and in 1737-39 he rebuilt the palace, probably to a [[rococo]] design by Johann Sigmund Deybel and [[Joachim Daniel von Jauch]]. The palace was enlarged and covered with [[mansard roof]]s. The central portion of the building was adorned with a bulbous top bearing a clock and an eagle.<ref name= kieniewicz />


In 1765, ownership was transferred to King [[Stanisław II August]], who located the [[Corps of Cadets (Warsaw)|Corps of Cadets]] here following interior redesigns by [[Domenico Merlini]]. From 1769, the famous newspaper sponsored by the King, the ''[[Monitor (Polish newspaper)|Monitor]]'', was printed in an establishment housed in an outbuilding of the palace. On April 5, 1769, the patriotic play ''Junak'' was presented on a Cadet Corps stage in the palace.<ref name= kieniewicz />
In 1765, ownership was transferred to King [[Stanisław II August]], who located the [[Corps of Cadets (Warsaw)|Corps of Cadets]] here following interior redesigns by [[Domenico Merlini]]. From 1769, the famous newspaper sponsored by the King, the ''[[Monitor (Polish newspaper)|Monitor]]'', was printed in an establishment housed in an outbuilding of the palace. On April 5, 1769, the patriotic play ''Junak'' was presented on a Cadet Corps stage in the palace.<ref name= kieniewicz />


In 1794, after the suppression of the [[Kościuszko Uprising]], the [[Corps of Cadets (Warsaw)|Corps of Cadets]] was closed down.
In 1794, after the suppression of the [[Kościuszko Uprising]], the [[Corps of Cadets (Warsaw)|Corps of Cadets]] was closed down.


===Warsaw University===
===Warsaw University===
[[File:6 Warszawa 184.jpg|thumb|left|Kazimierz Palace, 2006]]
[[File:Pałac Kazimierzowski w Warszawie 2019c.jpg|thumb|left|Casimir Palace, 2019]]
In 1814, a fire destroyed the barracks before the palace, and in 1816 their place was taken initially by two side [[pavilion]]s designed by [[Jakub Kubicki]]. That same year, the palace became the seat of [[Warsaw University]]. Concurrently, in 1817-31, it also housed the [[Warsaw Lyceum]], a secondary school where [[Frédéric Chopin]]'s father taught [[French language|French]] and whose alumni included young Chopin himself.
In 1814, a fire destroyed the barracks before the palace, and in 1816 their place was taken initially by two side [[pavilion]]s designed by [[Jakub Kubicki]]. That same year, the palace became the seat of [[Warsaw University]]. Concurrently, in 1817–1831, it also housed the [[Warsaw Lyceum]], a secondary school where [[Frédéric Chopin]]'s father taught [[French language|French]] and whose alumni included young Chopin himself.


The years 1818-22 saw expansion by two pavilions parallel to ''[[Krakowskie Przedmieście]]'', designed by Michał Kado. In 1824, the palace was thoroughly rebuilt in the [[classicist]] style to the design probably of Hilary Szpilowski and Wacław Ritschel. About 1820, two further pavilions, a northern and a southern one, arose at the palace building itself.
The years 1818-22 saw expansion by two pavilions parallel to ''[[Krakowskie Przedmieście]]'', designed by Michał Kado. In 1824, the palace was thoroughly rebuilt in the [[classicist]] style to the design probably of Hilary Szpilowski and Wacław Ritschel. In about 1820, two further pavilions, a northern and a southern one, arose at the palace building itself.
[[File:Kazimierz Palace, Warsaw University 4.JPG|thumb|Plaque on [[Warsaw University]]'s Kazimierz Palace, commemorating 1866–68 student [[Bolesław Prus]]]]
[[File:Kazimierz Palace, Warsaw University 4.JPG|thumb|Plaque on [[Warsaw University]]'s Casimir Palace, commemorating 1866–68 student [[Bolesław Prus]]]]


In 1840-41, the next pavilion was built, designed by [[Antonio Corazzi]], originally to be a secondary school and later serving as the seat of the "Main School" (i.e., [[Warsaw University]]). About 1863, the pavilions were rebuilt to designs by Antoni Sulimowski.
In 1840–41, the next pavilion was built, designed by [[Antonio Corazzi]], originally to be a secondary school and later serving as the seat of the "Main School" (i.e., [[Warsaw University]]). In about 1863, the pavilions were rebuilt to designs by Antoni Sulimowski.


In 1891-94, in the yard between the palace and the ''[[Krakowskie Przedmieście]]'' gate, a [[library]] building was erected to a design by Antoni Jabłoński-Jasieńczyk and Stefan Szyller, and in 1910 a new ''[[Krakowskie Przedmieście]]'' gate was built. In 1929-31, the library building was rebuilt, and in 1930, the ''Auditorium Maximum'' building was erected to a design by Aleksander Bojemski.
In 1891–94, in the yard between the palace and the ''[[Krakowskie Przedmieście]]'' gate, a [[library]] building was erected to a design by Antoni Jabłoński-Jasieńczyk and Stefan Szyller, and in 1910 a new ''[[Krakowskie Przedmieście]]'' gate was built. In 1929–31, the library building was rebuilt, and in 1930, the ''Auditorium Maximum'' building was erected to a design by Aleksander Bojemski.


During World War II, the Kazimierz Palace was destroyed, along with other [[Warsaw University]] buildings. It suffered during both the 1939 defense of Warsaw and the 1944 [[Warsaw Uprising]]. After the war, in 1945-54, the palace was rebuilt to a design by Piotr Biegański. The reconstruction of the whole campus was finally completed in 1960.
During World War II, the Casimir Palace was destroyed, along with other [[Warsaw University]] buildings. It suffered during both the 1939 defense of Warsaw and the 1944 [[Warsaw Uprising]]. The destruction of the building was estimated at 50%.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Małcużyński |first1=Karol |last2=Wojnacki |first2=Wacław |date=1950 |title=Zwiedzamy nową Warszawę |trans-title=Sightseeing in Warsaw |url= |language=pl |location=Warsaw |publisher=Spółdzielczy Instytut Wydawniczy "Kraj" |page=80 |isbn=}}</ref> After the war, in 1945–54, the palace was rebuilt to a design by Piotr Biegański. The reconstruction of the whole campus was finally completed in 1960.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.maperia.pl/miejsca/palac-kazimierzowski-9541.html |language=pl |title=Pałac Kazimierzowski |website=maperia.pl |access-date=29 April 2024}}</ref>


The Kazimierz Palace currently houses the Warsaw University [[Rector (academia)|rectorate]], as well as the Museum of the History of Warsaw University. Since the building's revitalization in 2006 (partly with [[European Union]] funds), the building is one of the most attractive on Warsaw's [[Royal Route, Warsaw|Royal Route]].
The Casimir Palace currently houses the Warsaw University [[Rector (academia)|rectorate]], as well as the Museum of the History of Warsaw University. Since the building's revitalization in 2006 (partly with [[European Union]] funds), the building is one of the most attractive on Warsaw's [[Royal Route, Warsaw|Royal Route]].


==See also==
==See also==
Line 63: Line 65:


==Notes==
==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
{{commons category|Kazimierzowski Palace}}
{{commons category|Kazimierzowski Palace}}
* [http://www.nifc.pl/chopin/institutions/text/id/218/lang/en Pałac Kazimierzowski]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20071030031235/http://nifc.pl/chopin/institutions/text/id/218/lang/en Pałac Kazimierzowski]
* [http://www.warszawa1939.pl/index.php?r1=uniwersytet_palac&r3=0 Pałac Kazimierzowski, Villa Regia]
* [http://www.warszawa1939.pl/index.php?r1=uniwersytet_palac&r3=0 Pałac Kazimierzowski, Villa Regia]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110721085127/http://webart.nationalmuseum.se/work/work.aspx?id=39543 Marble bust of Queen Marie Louise of Poland]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110721085127/http://webart.nationalmuseum.se/work/work.aspx?id=39543 Marble bust of Queen Marie Louise of Poland]
Line 81: Line 86:
[[Category:Royal residences in Poland]]
[[Category:Royal residences in Poland]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Poland destroyed during World War II]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Poland destroyed during World War II]]
[[Category:Rebuilt buildings and structures in Poland]]
[[Category:Rebuilt buildings and structures in Warsaw]]
[[Category:University of Warsaw]]
[[Category:University of Warsaw]]
[[Category:1641 establishments in the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth]]
[[Category:1641 establishments in the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth]]

Latest revision as of 23:13, 27 June 2024

Casimir Palace
Pałac Kazimierzowski
Map
General information
Architectural styleNeoclassical
Town or cityWarsaw
LandPolen
Designated1994-09-08
Part ofWarsaw – historic city center with the Royal Route and Wilanów
Reference no.M.P. 1994 nr 50 poz. 423[1]

The Casimir Palace (Polish: Pałac Kazimierzowski), formerly known as Villa Regia, is a reconstructed palace located in Warsaw, Poland. It is adjacent to the Royal Route, at Krakowskie Przedmieście 26/28.

Originally built in 1637–41, it was first remodelled in 1660 for King John II Casimir (Polish: Jan II Kazimierz Waza, from whom it takes its name) and again in 1765–68, by Domenico Merlini, for the Corps of Cadets established by King Stanisław II Augustus. Since 1816, the Casimir Palace has served intermittently as the seat of Warsaw University.[a]

History

[edit]

Origin

[edit]
Prince Zygmunt Kazimierz Vasa in the palace's loggia, facing the Vistula River, 1644
Villa Regia ("Royal Villa"), 1656

The Casimir Palace was erected in 1637-41 for King Władysław IV in the mannerist-early Baroque style as a villa suburbana (suburban villa) christened the Villa Regia (Latin for "Royal Villa"), to the design of Italian architect Giovanni Trevano.[2][3] It was constructed as a rectangular building with corner towers, a type of residence known as Poggio–Reale - Serlio after the Villa Poggio Reale in Naples.

The Villa Regia had a magnificent loggia at its garden facade, with a wonderful view of the Vistula River and its opposite, Praga bank. It had four alcoves and two gardens — a flower garden at the front, and a botanical garden at the rear. Both gardens were adorned with sculptures that had been procured by royal architect Agostino Locci. Some had been purchased in Florence for 7,000 guldens, others had been produced in Prague by Adrien de Vries.[4] According to Adam Jarzębski, they had included a Hercules Fighting the Centaur Nessus and a Horse Bitten by a Snake.[3] Another feature of the gardens was a large arbor where initially the Fleming royal painter Christian Melich had his studio, but which was later selected by Queen Marie Louise Gonzaga as the venue for her literary salon.

The palace had rich furnishings, with Venetian-style gilded ceilings (surviving examples of such ceilings in Poland may be seen at the Bishop's Palace in Kielce) and brown Chęciny and black Dębnik marble portals. In the 1650s, sculptor Giovanni Francesco Rossi created profuse Roman-Baroque-style marble decorations, with busts of Roman emperors and of King John II Casimir and Queen Marie Louise Gonzaga (today displayed at Gripsholm Castle in Sweden).[4] These decorations were so precious that during the Swedish Deluge Sweden's King Charles X Gustav ordered the very window frames pulled out and transported to Sweden.[4]

The Villa Regia had a large concert hall, decorated with an oil-painted plafond depicting St. Cecilia, patron saint of music and of Queen Cecila Renata, where the Royal Cappella Vasa gave frequent concerts, and a large collection of ancient sculptures which would be plundered during the Deluge by Frederick William, Elector of Brandenburg, and taken to Berlin;[3][4] while the garden sculptures were taken to Sweden.[3] Then, having been plundered, the palace was burned.

Sułkowski's palace

Following the devastations wrought by the Deluge, the Villa Regia was rebuilt twice, in 1652 and 1660, to designs by Izydor Affait or Titus Livius Burattini, and came to be called the "Casimir Palace" for King John II Casimir, who favored it as a residence.[2]

Abandoned in 1667, the palace later became the property of King John III Sobieski. In 1695, the building was totally destroyed by fire.

Rebuilding

[edit]

In about 1724, the property's ownership was transferred to King Augustus II. In this period were constructed an entrance gate at Krakowskie Przedmieście and eight barracks set perpendicularly to the palace façade.

Corps of Cadets, 1785

In 1735, the palace became the property of Count Aleksander Józef Sułkowski. A brickworks, a stove factory and a brewery were established here, and in 1737-39 he rebuilt the palace, probably to a rococo design by Johann Sigmund Deybel and Joachim Daniel von Jauch. The palace was enlarged and covered with mansard roofs. The central portion of the building was adorned with a bulbous top bearing a clock and an eagle.[4]

In 1765, ownership was transferred to King Stanisław II August, who located the Corps of Cadets here following interior redesigns by Domenico Merlini. From 1769, the famous newspaper sponsored by the King, the Monitor, was printed in an establishment housed in an outbuilding of the palace. On April 5, 1769, the patriotic play Junak was presented on a Cadet Corps stage in the palace.[4]

In 1794, after the suppression of the Kościuszko Uprising, the Corps of Cadets was closed down.

Warsaw University

[edit]
Casimir Palace, 2019

In 1814, a fire destroyed the barracks before the palace, and in 1816 their place was taken initially by two side pavilions designed by Jakub Kubicki. That same year, the palace became the seat of Warsaw University. Concurrently, in 1817–1831, it also housed the Warsaw Lyceum, a secondary school where Frédéric Chopin's father taught French and whose alumni included young Chopin himself.

The years 1818-22 saw expansion by two pavilions parallel to Krakowskie Przedmieście, designed by Michał Kado. In 1824, the palace was thoroughly rebuilt in the classicist style to the design probably of Hilary Szpilowski and Wacław Ritschel. In about 1820, two further pavilions, a northern and a southern one, arose at the palace building itself.

Plaque on Warsaw University's Casimir Palace, commemorating 1866–68 student Bolesław Prus

In 1840–41, the next pavilion was built, designed by Antonio Corazzi, originally to be a secondary school and later serving as the seat of the "Main School" (i.e., Warsaw University). In about 1863, the pavilions were rebuilt to designs by Antoni Sulimowski.

In 1891–94, in the yard between the palace and the Krakowskie Przedmieście gate, a library building was erected to a design by Antoni Jabłoński-Jasieńczyk and Stefan Szyller, and in 1910 a new Krakowskie Przedmieście gate was built. In 1929–31, the library building was rebuilt, and in 1930, the Auditorium Maximum building was erected to a design by Aleksander Bojemski.

During World War II, the Casimir Palace was destroyed, along with other Warsaw University buildings. It suffered during both the 1939 defense of Warsaw and the 1944 Warsaw Uprising. The destruction of the building was estimated at 50%.[5] After the war, in 1945–54, the palace was rebuilt to a design by Piotr Biegański. The reconstruction of the whole campus was finally completed in 1960.[6]

The Casimir Palace currently houses the Warsaw University rectorate, as well as the Museum of the History of Warsaw University. Since the building's revitalization in 2006 (partly with European Union funds), the building is one of the most attractive on Warsaw's Royal Route.

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ (which was closed by the Russian Imperial authorities after the failed November and January Uprisings, and in 1939-44 by the Germans during the Second World War.

References

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  1. ^ Zarządzenie Prezydenta Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej z dnia 8 września 1994 r. w sprawie uznania za pomnik historii., M.P., 1994, vol. 50, No. 423
  2. ^ a b "Pałac Kazimierzowski, Villa Regia". warszawa1939.pl (in Polish). Retrieved 2008-02-17.
  3. ^ a b c d Lileyko, Jerzy (1984). Życie codzienne w Warszawie za Wazów [Everyday Life in Warsaw under the Vasas] (in Polish). Warsaw. ISBN 83-06-01021-3.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  4. ^ a b c d e f Kieniewicz, Stefan, ed. (1984). Warszawa w latach 1526–1795 [Warsaw in 1526–1795] (in Polish). Warsaw. ISBN 8301033231.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  5. ^ Małcużyński, Karol; Wojnacki, Wacław (1950). Zwiedzamy nową Warszawę [Sightseeing in Warsaw] (in Polish). Warsaw: Spółdzielczy Instytut Wydawniczy "Kraj". p. 80.
  6. ^ "Pałac Kazimierzowski". maperia.pl (in Polish). Retrieved 29 April 2024.
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