Illumination of the Royal Route in Warsaw (2019) - the Festival of Light

We had several times the chance to admire the illumination of various parts of the Royal Route in Warsaw. In 2014 we have been to Wilanów. Since five years have passed, I think it is time to go there again. 

As always, the first thing we can spot are the decorations on the city lanterns.

They look like large snowflakes.

As we approach the royal palace of Wilanów, you can immediately spot a tunnel guiding us in the right direction.

A tunnel of light of course.

The main gate features the colours of the Polish flag.

Inside, it is really crowded despite the snow.

Why don't we sneak out to the gardens.

Those torches seem to be really burning.

All the pieces of small architecture have been used as a pretext to put more light into the garden. Like this small fountain.

In the back of the palace you will find Janina, the coat of arms of king Jan Sobieski, the founder of Wilanów.

On the main terrace you will find a field of apple trees.

Very enchanting apple trees.

Below the terace, you will find even more lights, with yet another enchanted fountain.

The garden around it is calm and partly dark ...

... until it is not.

But the most amazing thing about it is that it dances in between.

Even the smallest fountains seem to be alive, despite negative temperature.

I find it really smart.

Before you run for a cup of hot chocolate to warm you up, I propose that we take just a few steps and go to the other side of the street,  next to the District Council Hall. First, we need to pass through a giant gingerbread. Both scary and mouth-watering, isn't it?

Then we can gallop together with a Horse of Light.

And remember all those that we love.

Feels like walking in a Winter Wonderland!

Wilanów Park in autumn

It's been already quite a long time since we have visited the Wilanów Park. I have shown you then its beauty on a sunny summer day. Today I will show you the park in autumn colours, there is no better way to explain the term "golden Polish autumn".

The magic part of the golden autumn is that it is a type of natural rainbow, with red, orange, yellow, green and brown leaves that can exist on the same tree.

The Wilanów palace that we have visited last week looks like a jewel surrounded with precious gems.

 Close to the ground, the French-style garden is still mainly green.

But the tops of the trees are already covered by a sunny orange.

Wilanów Palace is located on a little hill.

In the back, it has a little lake. You can come to it by one of the many little paths.

The lake looks calm and innocent.

But do not be fooled by its calm. There were years when the level of water was higher than a horse. Or even higher than a man.

In the backyard of the palace the diversity of the Polish autumn can be seen at its best. The roses bloom as if were still in springtime.

But just next to it, the brown leaves create a most precious carpet, reminding everybody that the days are shorter and that winter is coming.

But for the time being, summer and autumn are still fighting to win their positions. Let's enjoy this sunny afternoon when autumn has stopped half way.

Royal Palace in Wilanów

King Jan III Sobieski is one of the most popular kings in the Polish history. Under his rule Poland was strong and respected. I am happy to take you today to his favourite residence.

The Wilanów Palace was built in the second half of the seventeenth century in a style that was a mixture of baroque, traditional Polish architecture and Versailles.

The Palace was built for king Jan III Sobieski to demonstrate his power after the triumph in the Battle of Vienna. Here you can see him (and his horse of course!) defeating the Ottoman Turks.

The palace used to be a luxury residence, filled with many paintings and sculptures.

In some rooms you almost cannot spot the walls!

Even the ceilings are covered with frescoes.

Some of the rooms were used for official meetings and celebrations.

Others had a private character, with an office ...

... a bedroom ...

... and a chapel.

The dining room was equipped with gold cutlery. King's privilege.

The china was obviously of Chinese origin. It was kept in a real Chinese room.

When the king wanted to take some rest he could sit on one of these benches. Unfortunately this is not allowed to sit on them nowadays.

Through the window he could see his garden, cut in the Versailles style again.

On the lower floor of the Palace there is an exhibition of traditional clothes worn by nobility in seventeenth century.

No, these are not both for females. Ladies were wearing long dresses like the beige one on the left side. Gentlemen were wearing robe-like garment called kontusz, like the green one on the right side. A kontusz was surrounded by a sash, being a piece of fabric, often decorated with gold fibres. They were the most distinctive element of the clothes of a Polish nobleman.

I hope that you have enjoyed this little travel in the times of king Jan.

The sun is shining bright so I propose that we take a walk in the beautiful garden surrounding the Palace. We have already seen it in summer but it is in autumn when its true beauty is revealed.