Potocki Palace in Radzyń Podlaski

The Potocki Palace in Radzyń Podlaski (say RAH-jin pod-LAH-skee) is one of the most beautiful Rococo residences in Poland: the work of the architect Jakub Fontana with sculpture by Jan Chryzostom Redler, set in a park with a canal and ponds. After a restoration, the palace reopened to visitors in March 2024. If you are touring eastern Poland between Lublin and the Belarus border, it is the town's main sight and a good stop for a few hours.

History of the palace

Stanisław Antoni Szczuka began building the present palace in 1685, and work continued until 1709 in the style of a fortified Italian villa (palazzo in fortezza). In 1741 Szczuka's granddaughter married Eustachy Potocki, and the estate passed to the Potocki family. Between 1750 and 1759 Eustachy rebuilt the residence in Rococo style to a design by Jakub Fontana, with sculpture by Jan Chryzostom Redler. The palace was then famous for its library, theater, orchestra, balls and hunts, and the last court bandmaster was Feliks Lipiński, father of the violin virtuoso Karol Lipiński.

In the 19th century the residence declined; Antoni Szlubowski bought it in 1834, and in 1920 his descendant handed it to the State Treasury. A thorough renovation began in 1980.

What to see

• The courtyard of honor (cour d'honneur) with Redler's sculptures. Above the former kennel in the west wing is a scene of Actaeon and Diana, and the east wing is crowned by a stallion leaping over an ornament.
• Life-size figures of shackled slaves at the entrance to the main block and Hercules statues on the gates.
• Gate towers in the wings, a rare motif in Poland.
• The interiors: a staircase designed by Michał Dollinger, the two-story Ballroom with a musicians' loge, rooms in the east and west suites (including the Four Times of Day Room and the Marine Room) and the Library Room.
• The park with a main avenue and canal, laid out from 1755 to plans by Fontana, with an orangery.

The palace was commemorated on 2-zloty and 20-zloty coins in the "Castles and Palaces in Poland" series (1999).

Curiosities of history and garden

As early as 1522 the town had a starost's seat, and in 1566-1567 the Mniszech family built a brick castle with four corner towers, probably destroyed in the wars of the mid-17th century. The palace of the Szczuka era was designed by August Locci. The courtyard facade has three projecting bays, and the central one, taller and five-sided, carries the Brochwicz (Kątski) and Pilawa (Potocki) coats of arms. The atlantes on the stairs are also by Redler. The garden was laid out from 1755 by the gardener Marcin Knackfus, and the approach ran along a causeway and bridge, because ponds and a moat were important parts of the composition. The orangery in the park, probably designed by Fontana, was planned as two crossing rectangles.

In the rooms you will find stands with digitally colored reconstructions of the Rococo overdoors by Jan Bogumił Plersch, since the original interiors have not survived. The palace also offers a 60-minute VR session called "Journey in Time". It requires a reservation, so check in the booking system whether it is available on your date and whether it is paid.

How to visit and how long to plan

The interiors are visited with a guide and take about 90 minutes. You can enter the courtyard and park on your own, so plan roughly two to three hours in total. Tours leave at fixed times, so book a slot in advance.

Who it suits

The palace appeals to fans of Rococo architecture, families with children (younger ones enjoy the courtyard sculptures) and anyone who likes a guided visit. If you travel with a stroller or have limited mobility, ask the information point about access first.

Practical information (as of October 2026)

• Address: ul. Zamkowa 1, 21-300 Radzyń Podlaski.
• Guided visits (about 90 minutes): Monday to Friday at 10:00 a.m., 12:00, 2:00 and 4:00 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday at 12:00, 2:00 and 4:00 p.m. (fixed times since July 2026).
• Fee: a voluntary contribution of PLN 20 per person.
• Booking: online at rezerwacje.palac-potockich.pl; individuals up to 8 people, groups of more than 8. The booking system has an English version, but guided tours in English are not confirmed.
• Contact: information point in the palace, tel. +48 83 352 15 60.
• Park and courtyard: open to visitors.

Getting there

Radzyń Podlaski is about 60 km straight-line north of Lublin and about 120 km east of Warsaw. The palace stands in the town center on Zamkowa Street. Driving is easiest; check parking on the surrounding streets and bus timetables online.

Nearby

In Radzyń itself you can also see the Holy Trinity church and other town monuments, and about 50 km away is the Radziwiłł complex in Biała Podlaska.