Within the walls of the Royal Castle, from 25 April to 20 July 2025 the exhibition Saxon Visions. The Architecture of Power, which takes visitors on a fascinating journey to the reign of the Saxon Wettin dynasty – Augustus II the Strong and Augustus III – when architecture was not only an expression of artistic aspirations but also a powerful tool of politics. A highlight are the unique drawings depicting the Royal Castle in rich relief.
Unrealised ideas that could have changed the symbol of the city
The central point of the exhibition, which is particularly worth noting, is the presentation of the unrealised architectural visions of the Royal Castle. Imagine – the Castle could have looked completely different! Original 18th-century drawings, preserved in the collections of the Saxon State Archive and the National Museum in Warsaw, show impressive modernisation and reconstruction projects, which, due to limited financial resources and the unstable political situation of the time, remained only artistic concepts. The highlight is a drawing of a design by Johann Friedrich Karcher, which transports the viewer into a world full of grandeur and unlimited imagination, where the architectural dreams of Augustus II the Strong could have become reality. This vision, although never implemented, reveals to us an alternative image of the royal castle – a face that could have become part of the history of the Republic as a symbol of power and prestige.
Architecture as a tool of politics and culture
The exhibition shows how architecture in the Vettin era served not only to beautify space, but above all to manifest power. The Wettin period of rule (1697-1763) was a politically challenging time, but at the same time a period of cultural flourishing that changed the face of Warsaw forever. Although August II the Strong was unable to realise most of his ambitious plans, his architectural visions continue to inspire even contemporary artists. On the other hand, the king’s son, August III, thanks to more favourable political conditions and greater financial resources, helped to unveil a new architectural dimension to the Castle – this effect was made evident, among others, by Carl Friedrich Pöppelmann’s design, which initiated the construction of the new wing, today one of the most recognisable elements of the city skyline
The castle from the side of the reconstructed Castle Gardens:
The exhibition is not just a static display of drawings and plans. Specially prepared architectural models and elaborately crafted dioramas allow visitors to literally enter the world of 18th-century visions. The exhibits also include a fragment of a historical inscription plaque discovered in 2023 during excavations at the former Brühl Palace – an element that further enriches the narrative of the former splendour and architectural potential of the royal residence.
The organisers of the exhibition have planned a programme of educational activities aimed at a wide range of audiences. From workshops for children and young people, through thematic walks and interdisciplinary lectures, to meetings with experts and curatorial tours. The exhibition encourages an active dialogue with history, allowing visitors not only to admire the artistic visions but also to explore the process that led to their realisation.
On all Tuesdays from 3 p.m. and on selected Sundays from 4 p.m., the exhibition will have quiet hours – time with reduced sensory stimuli.
A detailed educational programme for the exhibition Saxon Visions. Architecture power is available on the Castle’s website.
source: press materials of the Royal Castle(https://www.zamek-krolewski.pl)
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