Otwock Wielki Palace (Museum of Interiors)

The baroque palace of the Bieliński family stands on an artificial island in Lake Rokola, a short drive south-east of Warsaw. King Augustus II the Strong was a guest here, and according to tradition he met Tsar Peter I at the palace in 1705. One of its owners, Marshal Franciszek Bieliński, gave his name to Warsaw's Marszałkowska Street. Since 2004 the palace has housed the Museum of Interiors, a branch of the National Museum in Warsaw.

History: from magnate's seat to museum

The palace was built in the late 1680s for Kazimierz Ludwik Bieliński and his wife Ludwika Marianna, daughter of the poet Jan Andrzej Morsztyn. The design is attributed to Tylman van Gameren, although other architects are also mentioned. In 1757 Jakub Fontana added side wings linked by arcades and oval towers housing staircases.

In the 19th century the palace was bought by a Warsaw merchant, Józef Kurtz, and it was damaged during the First World War. After rebuilding in 1947–1958 it served as a reform school for girls and later as a government residence. During martial law in Poland, Lech Wałęsa was interned here. The museum has welcomed visitors since 7 July 2004.

What to see

• The façade with red stucco: a triangular pediment showing a bacchanal with nymphs and fauns, and above a window the Junosza coat of arms with allegorical figures.
• A Latin motto over the entrance, which translates as: "I do not want the lesser to fear me, nor the greater to look down on me."
• The Horace Room in the east part of the palace, with its original decoration and ten wall paintings illustrating quotations from the poet.
• Rooms with furniture and decorative arts from the museum's collection, plus temporary exhibitions, recently one of over 220 mementoes of Ignacy Jan Paderewski, including a Steinway piano.
• The island park with views of the palace reflected in the water, and next to it 18th-century baroque farm buildings.

Did you know?

The post-war restoration team led by Jan Koszczyc-Witkiewicz brought back the palace's baroque character. In summer the park hosts the "Classics on Deckchairs" concert series, and the palace hosts auditions for the "Paderewski's Piano" competition.

Tripto tip

A standard ticket to the palace costs PLN 20, reduced PLN 15; the island park has a separate ticket of PLN 5 (reduced PLN 3). Opening hours for the palace and park vary by day and season, and the museum sometimes closes for events, so check before you go. Allow about an hour for the interiors and 1.5–2 hours including a walk in the park. The best photo of the palace is from the water's edge, with the building reflected in the lake.