Wilanów � � � � � � � � � � � � � �

Another golden sunset, crisp as an autumn apple, sets behind Wilanów Palace. © Drone in Warsaw

It's very easy to visit Warsaw and imagine its history stretches no further than WWII, when the city was effectively wiped from the map of Europe� But that would be to only understand a small part of this city’s history� The nation’s capital has been in Warsaw since the late 16th century and at one time was the centre of the vast Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, a union which lasted over 200 years, stretching from the Baltic to the Black Sea (incorporating much of modern day Poland, Ukraine, Belarus and the Baltic States)� With so much of pre-war Warsaw destroyed there are few places to experience what this must have been like more than at Wilanow’s palace and gardens�

The ‘Polish Versailles’ is just one of the many fitting monikers applied to this splendid late 17th-century palace which can be found in the Warsaw district of Wilanów, 10km south of the centre� Essential visiting for all who come to soak up the capital’s culture and wish to understand a little more about ancient Poland, Wilanów is more than just a palace – it represents an era from which much has been lost� The palace, park and surrounding ensemble of buildings (45 hectares) represent the height of Polish Baroque and is one of Poland’s greatest national treasures� If the weather’s good and you’ve got time to spare, it’s easy to spend an entire and thoroughly rewarding day here� Wilanów Park & Gardens

The 45 hectares that make up Wilanów Park developed over the centuries according to the particular fancies of its owners� The park’s present form dates from the extensive and mostly faithful renovations made during the 1950s� Comprising a two-level Baroque garden, a Neo-Renaissance rose garden, a classical English landscape park and the so-called EnglishChinese landscape park, recent revitalisation works and archaeological digs discovered several artefacts, including ceramics dating from the 12th century� QP‑2, ul. St. Kostki Potockiego 10/16, tel. (+48) 22 544 27 00, www.wilanow‑palac.pl. Open 09:00‑16:00; from Nov. open 09:00‑15:00. Admission 7/4zł, Thu free.