Thanks to the restoration, the former Krasiński Palace in Warsaw has regained its splendour, in addition to becoming accessible to the general public for the first time. Since May 2024, visitors have been able to admire the restored interiors and the treasures of Polish and world literature on display. The co-author of the project to rebuild and modernise the palace is the Konior Studio architecture studio.
For years, it was a warehouse for the most valuable collections of the National Library. It aroused curiosity, intrigued with its richly decorated facades and grandiose exterior, but was still closed to the general public. Until 21 May 2024. At that time, this one of the most beautiful Baroque palaces in Europe opened its doors to all those who care about culture and national heritage. This was made possible by a large-scale revitalisation. Tomasz Konior and a team of architects from the Konior Studio are co-authors of the renovation project and the permanent exhibition, which has rapidly become known as the heart of the Palace of the Republic.
The palace raised from the rubble
Originally, the palace complex, built in 1677-1695 for the Płock voivode Jan Dobrogost Krasiński, was designed by Tylman of Gameren himself. An architect of Dutch origin, extremely fashionable at the time, he was often employed by wealthy principals. His works include the Palace in Nieborów, the Ostrogski Palace in Lublin or the Branicki Palace in Białystok.
During the Second World War, the Palace of the Republic was almost completely destroyed. Fortunately, it was rebuilt between 1948 and 1961. Later, work was underway to restore the façade and reconstruct the architectural details.
However, it was not until 2024 that the Palace of the Republic became accessible to the public – it can now be visited free of charge, 6 days a week. This was made possible by restoring the baroque interiors and adapting them to the needs of modern users, including those with disabilities. Conditions were also created to allow visitors to interact with the most valuable exhibits in the National Library’s collection.
For the first time since the 17th century we have been able to show interiors in which we have placed the most important monuments of Polish literature and culture, relics of the Polish language, and mementoes of past and present history. The showcases contain treasures of the many nations, cultures and languages that peacefully coexisted within the borders of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, but also priceless medieval and Renaissance objects of European culture, such as Ptolemy’s map from before the discovery of America. Some of them belong to both Polish and world culture, such as the manuscripts of Fryderyk Chopin or Henryk Mikołaj Górecki,” says Dr Tomasz Makowski, Director of the National Library.
The historic palace in a new version
Every nook and cranny of this unique monument is still alive with history enchanted in the architectural details, from the floors to the wall finishes. Thanks to the renovation, the historic structure of the palace has been enriched with new functions, and many modern solutions have also been introduced to make the interiors usable. All – of course – with care for the historic fabric.
– The great advantages of the Palace of the Republic, which opened to the public on 21 May 2024, are the extremely meticulously restored interiors, the renovation carried out with great care and the modernisation taking into account today’s needs according to the design of Pas Projekt and Konior Studio, and carried out by companies: Eurobudowa, WIBAR, Q-Fidelity, Erco, AV Group, INSTONE. Thanks to the joint work of the National Library, architects and contractors, a prestigious exhibition space was created for the most valuable objects from the BN’s treasury, and thanks to the free opening to the public, also a cultural space for strollers,” emphasises Dr Tomasz Makowski.
After the renovation, the two main palace halls have been opened to the public. Particularly impressive is the Hall of the Caryatids, where the stuccowork, sculptures, wooden mosaics and decorative vaulting have been restored to their former glory. New lighting brings out the now unknown qualities of the historic architecture.
– The challenge and serious interference with the valuable structure was to properly display the original Wilanów Library in its new location – the book collection that survived the conflagration of the war, together with valuable furnishings and original furniture. To this end, a section of the east wing was rebuilt. The new construction replaced the existing sections of walls and ceilings. The result was a spacious exhibition space and its preservation. Until now, the unique collection occupied the White Room, obscuring its unique character. Today, the hall once again fulfils a representative function. Together with the Kariatyd Hall, the spectacular staircase and the Knights’ Hall on the ground floor, they are a unique example of the craftsmanship of the old masters,” explains Tomasz Konior, chief architect at Konior Studio.
As part of the earlier work, the palace’s façade was renovated, the sculptures crowning the tympanum and the numerous decorations and reliefs on the facades were restored. The external stairs, windows and sections of the roof were replaced, and energy-efficient illumination of the building was installed, as well as glazing of the arcades on the garden side.
There were also facilities designed with the disabled in mind. – This required, on the one hand, exceptional care for the unique qualities of the historic edifice, originally intended for other purposes, and on the other hand, compliance with the rigours associated with the security of the collections. State-of-the-art technologies have been installed and concealed in the monument to ensure the comfort of users and the safety of exhibits,” says Tomasz Konior.
The designers did not forget about the issue of the building’s energy efficiency, adjusting it to modern requirements – among other things, they replaced the lighting installations, central heating, ventilation and air conditioning. An energy management system was also installed.
Treasures of Polish culture in the palace interiors
The restored baroque interiors, in which the spirit of a great history can still be felt, have become the perfect place to exhibit priceless relics of Polish and world literature. There are medieval manuscripts and manuscripts, works by ancient illuminators, including the Florian Psalter, the Supra Codex and the Swietokrzyskie Sermons, as well as the famous chronicles by Jan Długosz, Gall Anonymus and Wincenty Kadłubek. Literature enthusiasts will feel like children in a sweet shop here. Manuscripts by Jan Kochanowski, Adam Mickiewicz, Juliusz Słowacki or Cyprian Kamil Norwid are sure to catch their eye. There is also no shortage of memorabilia of Krzysztof Kamil Baczyński, Czesław Miłosz or Zbigniew Herbert. The list could go on.
Priceless and at the same time highly sensitive to external conditions, these works of art require special treatment. The designers also took this into account. Hence the purchase of specialised showcases guaranteeing the right temperature and air humidity, so important for the preservation of historical books and documents. In turn, modern multimedia equipment has become an important element of the permanent exhibition.
– In contrast to the historic fabric, contemporary equipment was designed: special display cases for the exhibition and furniture: counters, tables, benches, chairs. The multimedia influences perception and enhances the effect,” emphasises Tomasz Konior.
There is also a special place in the Palace of the Republic, with a huge emotional charge, inducing reflection and reverie. It is a room whose centre is an urn with… the ashes of books. An ominous reminder or perhaps a warning for contemporaries.
In the renovated Palace of the Republic on 8 August this year. OKK! PR organised an official guided tour with the participation of Dr. Tomasz Makowski, Director of the National Library, and more than 60 guests specially invited for the occasion – representatives of leading architectural studios and the media. The role of guide was played by Tomasz Konior himself, who introduced the participants to the secrets of the palace interiors, talked about their revitalisation and the treasures of Polish and world literature stored there. Geberit and Wiśniowski were patrons of the event.
The restored interiors of the Palace of the Republic are proof that wise revitalisation enables the past to meet the present. A meeting that does not detract from either, but enriches each, making each important and necessary.
Revitalisation and interior design of the Palace of the Republic Warsaw, Plac Krasińskich 3/5
Authors: KONIOR STUDIO: Tomasz Konior, Dominik Koroś; PAS PROJECT: Małgorzata Golenko; AV GROUP: Agata Sitko, Dominik Budyn, Adam Rogalski
Architects: Andrzej Witkowski, Paweł Jurkiewicz, Sławomir Golenko, Łukasz Magdziarz, Katarzyna Jarosz, Maciej Smyk, Marzena Cieniawska
Design: Leszek Dziuba Marcin Polak
Installations: Remigiusz Sylwestrzak, Krzysztof Gantzki, Stanisław Sitarczyk,
General Contractor: WIBAR – Instalacje sp. z o.o. sp. k., Eurobudowa Sp. z o.o.
Maintenance manager: Instone sp. z o.o. – Anna Krause
Investor: National Library
Investment cost: pLN 75.2 million
source: press materials
Read also: Warsaw | Monument | History | Architecture in Poland | Palace
