Once in our lives we turn
on the TV or turn a page of our favourite book to find it so enchanting
that we could only dream that one day we could see that place! Then we wake up
one morning to realize that that dream has already come true. Never in our wildest
imagination did we realize that it could actually happen. The Royal Palace in
Wroclaw is one of those places that I only read about but one cold afternoon, I
found myself standing right in front of its gates and, moments later, I was
already exploring its Baroque hallways.
A Short History of
Wroclaw, Poland
Until 1740, the mineral-rich province of Silesia was part of
the Habsburg dominions. For centuries, this dynasty had provided rulers to
Spain, Austria, and the Holy Roman Empire. However, when Emperor Charles VI
realized that he could not have any male heir, he issued the Pragmatic Sanction
that allowed her eldest daughter, Maria Theresa, to inherit the throne. Shortly
before he died, the Great Powers refused to acknowledge her as ruler and
Prussia’s King Frederick II marched and conquered Silesia. It remained under
the Hohenzollerns until after 1918, when it became part of Poland.
From Mansion to
Palace
The Royal Palace of Wroclaw (then called Breslau) was formerly
called Spaetgen’s Palace, named after Heinrich Gottfried von Spätgen,
chancellor of Bishop Francis Louis of Neuburg. In 1717 Spätgen acquired the property, which
was a modest baroque mansion back then. After his death in 1750, King Frederick
II bought the mansion, making Breslau as a royal residence city alongside Berlin
and Königsberg (present-day Kaliningrad). Succeeding kings extended the property,
changing its design and character to suit their tastes and the fashions of the
era. By the turn of the 19th century, the
palace already extended from Wolności Square to Kazimierza Wielkiego Street.
With the downfall of the Hohenzollerns, the palace was
donated to the local government of Breslau, which reserved the use of the
palace for exhibition purposes. On September 20, 1926, the Palace Museum
(Schlossmuseum) was opened with an exhibition dedicated glory days of Frederick
II the Great on the right side of the south wing. Also showcased were glass and
pottery as well as iron casts, which Silesia is known for. Upstairs, the interiors
from the baroque, rococo and classicistic periods were restored and the rooms paintings
and sculptures from the Albrecht Säbisch collection also filled the palace
rooms.
The palace was heavily damaged at the end of World War II. Only
Spätgen’s Palace with the north wings and a fragment of the south wing were
preserve; the rest of the palace was demolished in the 1960s. by this time,
Breslau was renamed Wroclaw. From 1963 until 1999, the palace was home of the Archaeological
Museum and, until 2004, Ethnographic Museum.
From Palace to
History Museum
The Royal Palace of Wroclaw has been converted into two
museums: the Historical Museum and the Museum of Medallic Art. The restored
palace chambers—including the baroque room with the walls covered with Delft
ceramics—is now home to the Historical Museum. The Historical Museum maintains objects
of historical and artistic value related to Wroclaw. The collections include
iconographic items, graphics, drawings and photographs. A collection
illustrating the history of Wroclaw theatres is the unique one. The rich
collection of the museum are displayed in the permanent exhibition “1000 Years
of Wroclaw,” and also in a number of changing exhibits. Aside from these, the
museum also hosts various cultural programs, scientific gatherings, and
lectures.
The palace’s ground floor serves as the reception area where
guests could wander around and enjoy souvenir shopping. Excited much, I decided
on an impulse to buy postcards, each sold for 10 zloty each. The elevator leads
to the palace’s second and third floor, where the exhibits are displayed.
The palace’s second floor opens up to the Royal Apartments, carefully
restored back to their former glory. The first room is the Rococo room of King
Frederick II, which showcases the king’s taste for French art and culture. The
green and red rooms are dedicated to the reign of his nephew and successor, King Frederick
William III. During the last renovation, four niches with shell-bands ornaments
were discovered. Among the most admirable objects displayed here include the
set of Biedermeir furniture and the cylindrical faience oven.
Much history transpired in the Yellow Room. In 1813,
Frederick William III sought refuge in Breslau. In the Yellow Room, the fate of
the Prussia was sealed since here, the king signed his famous manifestos,”To my
People,” and “To My Army.” In 1913, the iconic Centennial Hall was built in
commemoration of the first manifesto. The Blue Room is also laid with objects
remembering King Frederick William III, particularly relating to his army.
How to Visit the
Royal Palace of Wroclaw?
The Palace is located at
Kazimierza Wielkiego. It is open from 10 am until 5 pm, Tuesday until Friday,
and from 10 am until 6 pm, every Saturday and Sunday. Permanent exhibitions are
free of charge. For more details, visit
the official
website.
0 Comments