📖Introduction
At the foot of 🔗 the Royal Castle, right next to the bustling W-Z Route, stands a small late Baroque complex distinguished by its green roof. This architectural gem is known as The Tin-Roofed Palace.
Its origins trace back to an earlier one-story tenement house, erected in 1651 by a royal armorer specializing in military armor, Wawrzyniec Refus. Regrettably, the tenement was destroyed in 1657 during the Polish-Swedish war known as the Swedish Deluge.
However, between the 17th and 18th centuries, the building was reconstructed for the Grand Crown Chamberlain, Jerzy Dominik Lubomirski. It was no longer a humble tenement but had transformed into a palace. The late Baroque refinement was carried out by the Polish architect of Italian origin, Jakub Fontana, during the years 1720-1730. The result? A structure that graces our eyes today—a palace adorned with two flanking wings, four Corinthian columns, and a roof resplendent in copper sheeting. In 1776, the building found a new owner: the last King of Poland, Stanisław August Poniatowski (1732-1795), who integrated it into the castle complex, providing accommodations for courtiers.
The most distinguished resident of the palace was the king’s nephew, one of Poland’s most eminent generals, Prince Józef Poniatowski (1763-1813). He resided in the palace from 1798 until his passing. Alongside him lived his French mistress, Henrietta de Rarbatan, Countess de Vauban, as well as Poniatowski’s sister, Maria Teresa Tyszkiewiczowa.
It was Maria who inherited the palace after Józef’s heroic death in the Battle of Leipzig, and she subsequently sold it to Tsar Alexander I in 1820. Following Poland’s independence in 1918, the palace became a property of the Ministry of War Affairs, serving as a representative building for the Republic from 1920 onward.
During the interwar period, this location housed the offices of the Presidential Chancellery and residential quarters. The palace did not escape the destruction of World War II. Fortunately, the building’s structure itself survived the bombings, although the southern wing and the main body of the building were severely damaged by fire. After the war, it was reconstructed and served as the headquarters for the Chief Architect of Warsaw until 1988. Subsequently, it was handed over to the Royal Castle. Following restoration, conservation, and revitalization efforts, it now functions as a museum dedicated to Prince Józef Poniatowski.
🚶🏻♀️Visit
The Tin-Roofed Palace, open to visitors, occupies the central part of the building and comprises Prince Józef Poniatowski’s apartments. These rooms, situated on the first floor, consist of seven chambers, a corridor, and a staircase. The tour commences in the grand anteroom known as the Westybule, adorned with portraits spanning three generations of the Poniatowski family. As we progress through subsequent rooms, we encounter tributes to the prince’s significant military contributions during turbulent times for the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. These periods encompassed the challenging years of partitions (1772, 1793, and 1795) and the existence of the Duchy of Warsaw (1807-1815). Notably, this era witnessed the enactment of Europe’s first and the world’s second (after the United States) Constitution of May 3, 1791.
Within the following chambers, collections of medals are displayed, including a group illustrating all the Napoleonic campaigns. Another showcase houses the Virtuti Militari Order, established at the prince’s request. This order, translating to “For Military Valor” in Latin, was the first decoration awarded based on military merit rather than noble lineage. It remains one of the oldest orders globally, with the initial awards ceremony held on June 25, 1792. Fifteen officers and soldiers who participated in the victorious Polish-Russian Battle of Zieleńce were honored, including Prince Poniatowski himself and Tadeusz Kościuszko.
During the late 18th century, the Tin-Roofed Palace stood as one of Warsaw’s most renowned salons, hosting extravagant receptions and balls. Exploring its interior from this perspective is certainly worthwhile. English neoclassical furniture complements numerous paintings, alongside a late 18th-century piano. The significance of this place is further attested by the fact that Napoleon Bonaparte himself was a guest at the palace during his stay at the Royal Castle between 1806 and 1807.
The most private part of the apartment is undoubtedly the prince’s bedroom, which captivates with its original wall color—blackberry. In the center stands a somewhat small bed, by today’s standards, suggesting a semi-reclining position for sleep. This room also served for private gatherings among close associates. Notably, the decor includes a magnificent tea samovar, and for the observant, there’s a puzzle to solve: where do the additional pairs of doors lead?
Next, we have the War Office, where the prince served as the Minister of War during the Duchy of Warsaw. The desk and scattered documents catch the eye, but it’s the charming sundial with a tiny cannon that truly stands out.
The final room is the Prince’s Antechamber, a space steeped in memory, depicting the legend and cult that emerged around Poniatowski after his heroic and untimely demise
✔ Planner
- The entrance 🚪to the castle is located on the WZ Route side.
- Tickets 🎟 can be purchased 🌐 on-line, or at the entrance using the ticket machines.
- The ticket price includes an audio guide. 📱
- The guided tour with the audio guide takes approximately ⏳ 60 minutes.
- Free 🆓 visit on Wednesday.
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