The Palace in Waca Trocka is a residence situated on the outskirts of Vilnius. This impressive complex was built on the initiative of the Tyszkiewicz family in the second half of the 19th century. The architecture of the estate was inspired by the Palace on the Island in Warsaw’s Łazienki Park, a influence that is particularly evident in the front façade. The estate’s turbulent history, the damage it suffered and subsequent restoration work mean that the palace now occupies an important place in the region’s history.
The Palace in Waca Trocka, modelled on Łazienki
The estate’s history dates back to the Middle Ages, though the present palace was built between 1876 and 1880 on the initiative of Count Jan Witold Tyszkiewicz. Several decades earlier, his father, Józef Tyszkiewicz of the Leliwa coat of arms, had purchased Waka from Ludwik Dąbrowski. The wooden manor house on the site was then replaced by a new residence. The design was drawn up by Leandro Marconi, an architect practising in the Kingdom of Poland. He was inspired by the Palace on the Isle in Łazienki Park, though the Italian created his own original interpretation of Vistula-style Classicism. Similarities to the Warsaw landmark can be seen in the composition of the central part of the front façade, the belvedere on the roof and other smaller elements. The rear, on the other hand, is entirely Marconi’s own creation – far more opulent than its Warsaw counterpart.
Polish heritage and outstanding architects
The connections between the residence in Waca Trocka, near Vilnius, and Poland are in fact much more than mere inspiration from Łazienki. In the second half of the 19th century, the Palace on the Isle, the former residence of Stanisław August Poniatowski, the last king of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, was regarded as a model of elegance and good taste, which is why its architecture was eagerly emulated by the aristocracy. The Tyszkiewicz family, who were related to the king, deliberately chose this very model for their new residence in Waca Trocka. During the interwar period, the estate lay within the borders of the Second Polish Republic, and its owner, Jan Michał Tyszkiewicz, was a member of the Sejm and an active social and economic figure in the Vilnius region, through which he rendered great service to the region.
The palace in Waca Trocka and its merits
The palace on Waca Trocka Street is an example of historicism with a predominance of classicism, complemented by neo-Gothic and eclectic motifs. The sculptures on the façade (lost during the Second World War) were created by the Warsaw artist Ludwik Kucharzewski, whilst the interiors were renowned for their opulent furnishings and valuable library. The complex comprises a chapel, a bell tower, former outbuildings and a brick wall with decorative gates. In 1970, richly carved and inlaid ceilings were discovered in the palace, hidden beneath post-war cladding. Their conservation and restoration were made possible by documentation from Warsaw. The 23-hectare park surrounding the residence was designed by the French landscape architect Édouard André, who created a composition featuring avenues, ponds and the Waka stream.
War, destruction and a new lease of life
Dark clouds gathered over the estate with the arrival of 1939. Jan Michał Tyszkiewicz died on 31 May in a plane crash whilst returning from Międzyrzec Podlaski. Following the German and Soviet invasion of Poland in September of that same year, his widow, Anna Tyszkiewicz, left the palace with her children and travelled to England. The building was then taken over by the Soviet military command, which almost completely plundered the rich furnishings. Between 1941 and 1944, a Dutch agricultural school operated there, and after the war the estate was converted into a kolkhoz. The building was subsequently taken over by institutions linked to Lithuanian agriculture. During post-war renovations, some of the palace’s original interior décor was restored, though the sculptures, furniture, textiles, paintings and many other priceless items were lost forever.
The Palace in Wace Trocka and ‘Trakų Vokės dvaro sodyba’
In the early 1990s, the palace fell into disuse and remained unoccupied for 10 years. In 2002, it was handed over to the Lithuanian Nobility Association, which established the Centre for Court Culture there, organising exhibitions, concerts and historical events. Since 2014, the complex has been managed by the ‘Trakų Vokės dvaro sodyba’ organisation, which is working to restore the palace and the park. The residence has recently undergone a comprehensive refurbishment, thereby regaining some of its former splendour. It is now open to visitors and hosts a variety of events and celebrations, serving as a reminder of the ties between Poles and the Vilnius region.
source: vokesdvaras.lt, lietuvos.dvarai.lt
See also:Vilnius|Lithuania|Restoration|History|Palace|whiteMAD on Instagram
