the old and the new

What's Warsaw like? what is its prevalent atmosphere? is it a historic town? or does it feel more modern? does it hold to its tradition? or does it look ahead?...

Well the city is an architectural  and schizoephrenic rollercoaster and the pictures above hardly give you a taste of it.

the Palace on the Isle - by night

Let's have a peek inside this charming palace... by night.
We are greeted by Mars, the god of war... but is he fighting? no, he's relaxing, with a putto at his feet.

 He's accompanied by the allegory of Poland at her glory. Obviously - peace has come, so the state is in blossom when the warfare god is having a rest.

 The round room next to the entrance hall further emphasizes how the state can thrive: under the reign of rulers like these Polish kings...

Oh, interiors of the 18th century palaces are full of stories and hidden messages - especially those designed by and for the last Polish king, the enlightened Stanisław.

Normally you visit these interiors in daylight, but every now and then lectures, concerts etc take place here - then you can admire the rooms from a new perspective. I strongly recommend! (at every part of day and night)

early autumn in the Łazienki Royal Park

It's still only the begining of October, so the "Polish golden autumn" has hardly begun. The glory of colourful leaves will be at its peak later this month.

Whatever the season though, the Łazienki Royal Park is always a place to admire.
I went down along Agrykola Street. This is the first place in Warsaw where gas lanterns were installed.

I was greeted by Jan III Sobieski, a Polish king and a renowned army commander. (I love how his glory is highlighted by the tree in the background ^_^)

The Palace on the Island. Where will you find a palace such craftily designed to reflect in the mirror of water?

On the front terrace of the Palace a lot of activities is taking place. Either a nymph is wooing a god by the name of Hermaphroditus (alas, she was rejected)...

 ...or a Satyr is dancing with a Bachante...

Two sculptures in the terrace corners represent two great Polish rivers: Bug and Wisła.

 King Stanisław, who had the park arranged, was keen to have open-air theatre plays - not only for himself and his court, but also for Warsaw citizens. Plays took place here...

 ...where the audience is surrounded by play-wrights and poets of all epochs.

 After climbing the escarpment I arrived at the modernist part of the garden where the best-known monument of Chopin can be found.

Previous sneak-peeks of Warsaw autumn: in Łazienki and around the city centre.