Palace in Choroszcz - summer residence of hetman Branicki
In the small town of Choroszcz, not far from Bialystok (northeastern Poland) is located a charming small palace. The palace was the summer residence of the crown hetman and castellan of Kraków, Jan Klemens Branicki (1689-1771), a powerful Polish aristocrat. The palace was built on an artificial island, which is surrounded by canals modelled after those at Versailles.
The construction of the Baroque residence at Choroszcz lasted from 1745 almost until Branicki's death in 1771. A fire destroyed it in 1915, and the palace was reconstructed only much later during the years 1961-1973, and then made into a Museum of Palace Interiors in Choroszcz - branch of the Museum of Podlasie in Bialystok.
The ground floor, where the Branicki family once had its quarters, and the first floor, where the guest rooms used to be, were rebuilt for use today as exhibition rooms, where one can see period furniture, for example, from Rococo to sets in the style of Louis XVI. The interiors are decorated with paintings from the seventeenth to the nineteenth centuries, including portraits of the palace's owners, canvases of the French, Italian and German schools from the mid-eighteenth century. In addition, there are also mirrors, grandfather and mantel clocks, Meissen, Vienna and Berlin porcelain, art glass from Polish and West European makers, marble and bronze sculptures, alabaster vases, candlesticks, sconces and carpets.
There is 25-hectare park at the rear of the palace, designed probably by French architect Pierre Ricaud de Tirregaile. The Park is the only one of its kind in Poland, and its crisscrossing canals and star-shaped paths are similar to those at the gardens of Vaux-le-Vicomte and Versailles.
There are also historic buildings of stables from the 19th century. The buildings are decorated with sculptures of the horses' heads. (Source: culture.pl)
See other beautiful places in the Podlasie region:
- Branicki Palace in Białystok - "Versailles of Podlasie"
- Palace in Choroszcz- Summer residence of hetman Branicki
- Supraśl - the pearl of Podlasie region
- Supraśl Lavra - important site of Orthodox culture in Poland
- Kruszyniany - Tatar village where Muslims, Catholics and Orthodox live together
- Pentowo - European Stork Village
- "The Great Synagogue" in Tykocin, Poland
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These are all excellent--- I particularly like the view looking out over the park.
ReplyDeleteThat is a beautiful place, I can't imagine having such money and power that it's simply a summer residence. I love seeing Poland through your blog, it's a beautiful country.
ReplyDeleteThe palace looks as if it is set in a fantasy world. Glorious building and fantasy.
ReplyDeletewow, this is so beautiful it almost feels unreal. Love it. :)
ReplyDeleteDelightful photography of your journeys ~ thanks,
ReplyDeleteWishing you a gentle weekend ~ ^_^
fantastic photo and great reflections!!
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful photos of a stunning place #MySundayPhoto
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful place! There is a great decadence and slight negligence on the first photo with that 'dirty' water. Lovely!
ReplyDeleteAwesome pics.
ReplyDeleteIt does look rather lovely and what a lovely place for a summer house. I love the view and the lake outside.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful place. I am sure you enjoyed your visit. I have never seen such decorative stables!
ReplyDeleteThis palace is beautiful. I love the moat around it making an island. The stables are just magnificent, the patterns using different coloured bricks and the horses heads too #MySundayPhoto
ReplyDeletePiękne miejsce i piękne zdjęcia.
ReplyDeletelovely place and the brick work is fabulous!
ReplyDeleteThat reflections turns me all around. Nice shots!
ReplyDeleteThe front of this palace is beautiful! I especially like the roof parts you show, and also the reflection - perfect! Many thanks for sharing the aristocrat's palace with ALL SEASONS! Have a great week:)
ReplyDeleteGreat old architecture with strong german influence. Thanks for showing.
ReplyDeleteLove the reflection and also the decorative brickwork.
ReplyDeleteQuite the palace ~ lovely and idyllic ~ Wonderful photography ~
ReplyDeleteHappy Week to you ~ ^_^
What a gorgeous place - I love these photos.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing at http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2016/11/cana.html
What a beautiful, smartly proportioned house. It looks just right sitting on the property.
ReplyDeleteA beautiful building in such a peaceful setting - I'd love to visit there.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful shots of the palace. It is huge.
ReplyDeleteSuch beautiful shots.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful place! Wonderful photos!
ReplyDeletePięknie i pałacyk i park i budynki stajni. Niestety tam nie byłam :(. Pozdrawiam.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous place! You must have visited in the spring?
ReplyDeleteByłam tam kilka lat temu, trwały przygotowania chyba do wesela wiec nie dane mi było zajrzeć do środka
ReplyDeleteThe reflection image is just stunning. These structures are absolutely awesome and the setting is amazing. Thanks for sharing. Have a blessed week.
ReplyDeleteA beautiful building and amazing photos. I especially love the one with the reflection. The name Jan Klemens sounds Dutch
ReplyDeleteFabulous photos. Loved each of them, they are so unique!
ReplyDeleteI'd like to live in a palace. Or at least visit one.
ReplyDeletehttp://readerbuzz.blogspot.com/2016/11/summer-2016-new-mexican-wildfires.html
Just really wonderful photos. The reflection of the building is lovely.
ReplyDeletePiękny pałacyk i nietuzinkowe budynki z cegły, no i wiosna, czekam na nią :)
ReplyDeleteWonderful series of pictures! Such lovely architecture of the building and place to have a visit! Many thanks for sharing them with all of us!
ReplyDeleteGreat reflection.
ReplyDeleteThat's a beautiful palace with a fascinating history! Love that shot with the reflection.
ReplyDeleteWow this palace is so beautiful! It looks so peaceful! #wkendtravelinspiration
ReplyDeleteWhile I have been to Bialystok, I missed out on visiting Choroszcz which seems a pity now. I did visit Branicki Palace in Bialystok, but didn't realise just how influential they were. Your photos of the palace and the brickwork are amazing. I love seeing more of Poland through your posts.
ReplyDeleteStunning photos! What a marvelous place to see up close and to capture digitally for others to enjoy. Thanks for sharing with the SWF team! Have an awesome weekend!
ReplyDeleteI love that reflecting pool! This looks like a great place to spend a sunny afternoon in the spring or summer.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy visiting historic sites when I travel. The palace and the grounds are beautiful. Thanks for sharing! #WeekendTravelInspiration
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful place! Thank you for the lovely photos and the virtual tour!
ReplyDeleteMany thanks for linking up with the Travel Tuesday meme, hope to see you there again this week!
This looks like the perfect day trip. as with many such places the ground are as nice to explore -- maybe even more so -- than the buildings. can you picnic? #wkendtravelinspiration
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