The King's architect, Augustyn Locci, built the Palace (1677-1680) for King Jan III Sobieski as his royal residence. Its model was an Italian village and its original Italian name is 'Villa Nova,' hence the Polish name of Wilanów. After the death of Jan III (in Wilanów), the Palace became the residence of many Polish aristocratic families and at their whim was rebuilt or rearranged many times. Notwithstanding these alterations, Wilanów is a symbol of the reign of the Polish King Jan III Sobieski who broke the Turkish siege of Vienna in 1683 and saved Europe from Islam. (Inside the Palace are portraits representing the monarch).

The Palace. You enter a wide courtyard which is surrounded on three side by the well-proportioned facade of the Palace. Then through a gate archway with its allegories of war and peace constructed during the reign of Jan III and into the Palace. Certain personal items belonging to the King (and his beloved Marysieńka) can be found on the ground floor. The entire Palace, especially the King's Royal Bedroom and the Central Hall make this visit something to remember for a long time.

The entrance to the gardens is in the left corner of the courtyard. These are splendid gardens which have matured and been restyled over several centuries. They give visitors an opportunity to appreciate many different forms of horticulture, and to compare them in one location. The Baroque garden in the French - Italian style is situated centrally. The English - Chinese Romantic garden covers the area to the south of the Palace and the English park is in the north. A pathway runs between a small lake and perfectly ranked trees. Sculptures, monuments, garden pavilions, neatly laid out flowerbeds and walkways make it an idyllic and peaceful place for all visitors.

After the Palace and its garden(s) we recommend a visit to the Poster Museum which is situated at the right side of the entrance gate (Open 10.00. - 16.00. Closed on Mondays) and the Neo-Baroque church of St. Ann (to the left of the Palace).

Theatrical Square. On the right the square is closed by late-baroque Blanka Palace, the place where in 1944 Polish poet of Warsaw Uprising, Krzysztof Kamil Baczyński was killed. Behind the palace there is The Jabłonowskich's Palace. Before war it functioned as a town-hall. The building had been completely destroyed and after war it was demolished. At the end of 90s Warsaw regained the building again, however there were only two things that stayed untouched: the clock tower and facade. At present in the former town-hall there is the bank centre. You should go through the gate, under the tower, where there is 19thc tower basement and the monument of K.K. Baczyński. The view of the back side of the palace can shock you, but you have to see it with your own eyes...

The Grand Theatre, designed by A Corrazi is a huge classicistic building situated opposite The Jabłonowskich's Palace. Here there are The National Opera and The National Theatre. Although the building was burnt down three times and completely destroyed during the war, now it is considered to be one of the most interesting buildings in Warsaw. The opera's scene is one of the biggest in Europe, the house has got over 1800 seats. Unfortunately beautiful interiors, crystal chandeliers, spatial foyer together with its columns and beautiful mosaic can be seen only during the play.

Theatrical Square is closed by Petrykus' Tenement (1821) and some highly respected restaurants and clubs.

Nowy Świat is the most elegant, shopping street in Warsaw. Its commercial traditions date back to 19th century. Walking down till De Gaulle's Roundabout (street's left end) we pass many exclusive saloons, antique shops or interesting restaurants. At No 33 & 35 there is a famous Blikle's cafe where you can get really delicious cakes. If you want to go shopping turn right into Chmielna St. However the prices are not lower than in Nowy Świat.

Nowy Świat goes till the Square of Three Crosses but we turn left on De Gaulle's Roundabout and go across the street, just in front of Financial Centre.