"Versailles of Podlasie" - Branicki Palace in Białystok


Branicki Palace in Białystok is one of the most appealing historic buildings in Podlasie land and one of the best-preserved aristocratic residences from Saxon times in Poland. Palace complex in Białystok is also one of the most beautiful baroque mansions in East Europe. The design of the residence refers to Baroque palaces of French kings and led to naming the Bialystok palace the "Polish Versailles", or “Versailles of Podlasie”.


The palace was designed and built between 1743 and 1750 by Jan Zygmunt Deybel for Count Jan Klemens Branicki, Great Crown Hetman and patron of art and science, raised in the French milieu of the Polish aristocracy. Branicki was one of the wealthiest Polish magnates in the 17th century. It was an owner of 12 towns, 257 villages and 17 palaces (including the palace in Choroszcz, see: Palace in Choroszcz - summer residence of hetman Branicki). The form of the palace in Białystok reflects hetman’s royal ambitions. In 1763–1764 he ran in the election of the King of Poland but was beaten by his brother-in-law Stanisław Poniatowski.


The late Baroque style of the Branicki Palace is evident: two large wings are at right angles to the body of the main building and a large courtyard and portico columns adorn the palace from the side facing Podwale Street. The roofline is an Italianate balustrade that masks a low attic story, and the heroic sculptural group of Atlas crowning all. Visitors enter the palace complex through the entrance gate named “Griffin” (coming from Branicki coat of arms). Beautiful sculptures by Jan Chryzostom Redler were placed on the Podwale Street side in 1750.


Between 1771-1804 the palace was an important centre of the cultural life of Poland, thanks to receptions and events held by Princess Izabella Branicka. In September 1939, the building was burned by the German occupiers, and then completely destroyed. After the Word War II, it was reconstructed based on designs by Borys von Zinserling, and it then became a state building, housing different offices. The heritage of Jan Klemens Branicki is continued currently by the Medical University of Bialystok, which is the owner of the residence since 1950.


Branicki Palace is surrounded by the best-preserved Baroque park in Poland. French garden is made of labyrinths, fountains and boxwood hedges. Its main avenue leads through a bridge over the water container which used to be an element of the former castle bastion. In the neighbourhood of the French park, there is another one kept in the English style. Other outbuildings include the Arsenal (1755), Orangery and Italian and Tuscan Pavilions.



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Location: Branicki Palace, Białystok, Poland

Comments

  1. Bill 25/11/16 10:03 pm

    Excellent photos of this incredible place. Thanks for sharing!

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  2. Amy25/11/16 11:23 pm

    such old buildings - love seeing things like this!

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  3. Margaret Birding For Pleasure26/11/16 6:49 am

    WOW! What a magnificent palce and gground to visit. STUNNING. Have a lovely weekend.

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  4. California Globetrotter26/11/16 9:38 am

    Another beautiful palace! Its amazing how many castles around Europe were influenced by French/English style gardens! #WkendWanderlust #TheWeeklyPostcard

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  5. RedFuchsia26/11/16 10:12 am

    Piękne miejsce, Twoje zdjęcia jeszcze dodają mu majestatu

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  6. Jim26/11/16 1:44 pm

    Your photography is gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous! Another beautiful Polish destination! Thanks for linking up with #wkendtravelinspiration!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Kathe W.26/11/16 4:51 pm

    what a lovely place-thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Jonny (daisythebus)26/11/16 5:32 pm

    Loving the symmetry of the the palace and the composition of your photos. Great travel inspiration (can you believe I have never been to Poland?).

    Thanks and greetings from Luxembourg #theweeklypostcard

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  9. Rhonda Albom26/11/16 8:12 pm

    Wonderful photos and perspectives of this recreated grand palace. I am happy that the people chose to rebuild the palace after its destruction so new generations can enjoy it.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Lady Fi27/11/16 7:56 am

    Beautiful architecture and fabulous shots.

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  11. Coombe Mill - Fiona27/11/16 9:35 am

    Such an impressive building with quite a history to tell

    ReplyDelete
  12. Vlad27/11/16 10:05 am

    Gorgeous! I was in Poland this summer but I didn't know about the palace, I need to add it on my list for future visits :) #TheWeeklyPostcard

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  13. Handmade in Israel27/11/16 3:52 pm

    What a magnificent building. Thank you for sharing its history.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Carol @Comfort Spring Station27/11/16 4:46 pm

    The beautiful old architecture is incredible.

    ReplyDelete
  15. orvokki28/11/16 8:06 am

    What a most beautiful palace and garden. Your photos are great.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Mersad28/11/16 8:19 am

    Wow this palace is really striking. You made some amazing photos of it and had really great light. Love the clouds kn the sky as well. Thank you for linking in with Through My Lens.

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  17. handmade by amalia28/11/16 9:37 am

    What a beautiful place.
    Amalia
    xo

    ReplyDelete
  18. likeschocolate28/11/16 1:50 pm

    What a gorgeous palace! Reminds me of one I saw in Vienna!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Seraphinas Phantasie28/11/16 2:15 pm

    Marvelous photos of this wonderful place and park. Amazing !
    Best regards, Synnöve

    ReplyDelete
  20. LV28/11/16 4:14 pm

    Really enjoyed this most interesting and historical feature. The detail work is amazing.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Taken For Granted28/11/16 4:59 pm

    The Barque palace is certainly beautiful. How sad it was destroyed in WW II. There must have been talented craftsmen to rebuild it. Great photo tour.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Mandy28/11/16 7:39 pm

    Beautiful palace! Lovely clouds! … How long do you stand waiting for the crowds to clear? ;) Or are you just lucky, sometimes? :)

    ReplyDelete
  23. Małgosia i Piotr28/11/16 7:44 pm

    Pięknie pokazana dostojna budowla. Bardzo dynamiczne niebo świetnie równoważy energię zdjęę. Pozdrawiamy

    ReplyDelete
  24. Anonymous28/11/16 8:38 pm

    Magnificent buildings, and so glad that they rebuilt it after world war II! Wonder what you had to do to capture the statues on top! The black gazebo (?) is strikingly beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing this palace and grounds with ALL SEASONS! Wishing you a beautiful week!

    ReplyDelete
  25. NCSue29/11/16 1:14 am

    Absolutely gorgeous!
    Thanks so much for sharing at http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2016/11/ein-karem-birthplace-of-st-john-baptist.html

    ReplyDelete
  26. Tamar SB29/11/16 1:45 am

    Wow!! How amazing!!

    ReplyDelete
  27. colleen29/11/16 5:28 am

    FanTasTic. I love that the mansion is yellow.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Ruth30/11/16 2:51 am

    I am speechless looking at the beauty of this place. it is truly a gem! Reminds me a bit of Schonbrunn. #WordlessWednesday

    ReplyDelete
  29. Deb Nance at Readerbuzz30/11/16 12:43 pm

    Oh my! It reminds me so much of Versailles!
    Here's my Wordless Wednesday!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Klara S30/11/16 2:35 pm

    Piękne miejsce, świetne fotografie.

    ReplyDelete
  31. DrillerAA30/11/16 2:47 pm

    Stunning set of images. Thank you for sharing them with us.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Pat R1/12/16 4:17 am

    Beautiful photos.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Linda1/12/16 5:11 am

    Wow, that's quite a palace!

    ReplyDelete
  34. Rajesh2/12/16 3:01 am

    Amazing shots of place. Very colourful.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Spare Parts and Pics2/12/16 5:02 am

    Wow, truly majestic shots!!

    ReplyDelete
  36. Irene2/12/16 1:00 pm

    What a beautiful palace and garden. Great shots :)

    ReplyDelete
  37. Anonymous2/12/16 9:17 pm

    Gorgeous skies and building! #PhotoFriday

    ReplyDelete
  38. betty-NZ3/12/16 6:43 am

    Such a fabulous area. The architecture just blows me away.

    ReplyDelete
  39. Gosia Myślicka3/12/16 6:56 pm

    Beautiful :)

    ReplyDelete
  40. Ruth Daly Author4/12/16 10:39 pm

    Beautiful photographs.

    ReplyDelete
  41. Sherry's Pickings9/12/16 1:28 pm

    Once again such amazing buildings.

    ReplyDelete
  42. Intelliblog13/12/16 3:06 pm

    Wonderful photos of this amazing place!
    Thanks for linking up with the Travel Tuesday meme, hope to see you join me there again this week.

    ReplyDelete
  43. Unknown4/1/17 5:52 pm

    Poland is beautiful country. I live there and I love mountain countryside. There are a lot of photos in my blog from my country. Join?

    ReplyDelete
  44. PerthDailyPhoto17/1/17 10:34 am

    Horrendous to think it was burned down during the war.. beautifully restored and shown here 😊

    ReplyDelete

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