Sapieha Palace
Main data:
Year of construction: 1790
Year of reconstruction: 1955
Designer: Jan Zygmunt Deybel
Location: ul. Zakroczymska 6
When we walk down Zakroczymska street, probably this long, orange building will draw out attention immediately. It looks as if it filled the whole eastern side of the street. It is Sapieha Palace, one of the most magnificent former residences in Warsaw.
The palace was built in a late-baroque style for the great chancellor of Lithuania Jan Fryderyk Sapieha (the palace's name comes from his name off course, as well as the name of nearby Sapiezynska street, which was formerly a road leading to the residence). The building was designed by Jan Zygmunt Deybel. It had a main part with two annexes, with a small courtyard in the front, initially there was a gate between it and the street. The building was rich in rococo decorations. There was a garden in the back of the palace. The construction of the building took many years, it was started in 1720s and thanks to the career made by its owner, the building was step-by-step developed and decorated, until 1790s.
But in the begging of 19th century the building's decay started. During Napoleon wars (in 1806) a field hospital was organised here, and in 1817 the palace was bought by National Committee of War, which made a reconstruction in years 1818-22 - a baroque decorations were disassembled then, the interior was rebuilt and the building's style was changed into classicist. Until second world war the building belonged to army, it was known as the 'koszary sapiezynskie' ('barracks at Sapiezynska street'). During November Uprising a famous 'Czwartacy' regiment stationed here. Later Tsar's army took over the building and between first and second world war again a field hospital was located here. During all that time a gradual devastation of the building proceeded, its style's features were less and less visible. Before the second world war the building was completely not impressive, without architectural style and neglected - it did not remind of the magnificent residence that it used to be before and that is now.
The building was destroyed during Warsaw Uprising. Luckily, its original plans survived, thanks to it a reconstruction in initial shape was possible and was made in years 1951-55. Today an educational centre is located here, so the sightseeing is possible rather only from the outside.
(C) 2001-2010 Maciej Blazejewski