Branicki Palace, Białystok, Poland Sunset Cityscape: Free Picture

About the Picture

With this picture I take you to my hometown, and to the place that’s often called the “Polish Versailles” or the “Versailles of Podlasie”, Branicki Palace in Białystok, that’s the official name of this beautiful place located quite in the centre of the city.

It was taken around sunset during autumn.

This Baroque gem has a fascinating history that stretches back to the 16th century, was build by the architect Hiob Bretfus and it’s one of the most stunning and well-preserved aristocratic residences of the Saxon era.

Personally, I really like the surroundings of the Palace, it’s gardens and beautiful statues and the nearby parks that are just perfect for a walk or just hang around.

On the picture we have the gates, and it’s actually, second gates when I think of it, as behind me with the camera standing there, was main entrance to the complex. This one, if I’m not mistaken is the entrance to the Courtyard of Honor. I love this name.

The gates, flanked by the monumental sculptures of Hercules battling the Hydra and a Dragon, I couldn’t help but marvel at how art and mythology were used to symbolize the power and strength of the Branicki family.

These statues were created by Jan Chryzostom Redler, were part of the 18th-century expansion under Jan Klemens Branicki, who left no detail overlooked in his quest to rival the great European courts. And there are many more statues, for example the ones on top of the Palace, you can see on the picture.

During the 19th century, the Palace was stripped by so many of them by the Russians and some were sent to St. Petersburg.

Anyway.

Did you know that Branicki Palace once housed Poland’s first military engineering school? Hetman Branicki founded it in 1754, making it a hub of education and innovation during its prime. The palace also hosted a theater, orchestra, and ballet troupe, welcoming famous artists like the poet Elżbieta Drużbacka and even international performers.

Would be quite great to be able to go back in time to those days, and enjoy some performances there.

But, anyway, the palace’s history isn’t all glamour. During World War II, it suffered devastating destruction, with 70% of its structure obliterated. The reconstruction, completed between 1946 and 1960, brought the palace back to life, with some differences to it’s original look.

What’s also interesting is the fact that, a unique theater curtain from Branicki’s private theater was sold to England in pieces, and its whereabouts remain a mystery.

On this cityscape picture of Branicki Palace you don’t see the gardens, they are just behind the Palace, but are beautiful, a wonderland you might say.

The upper level features the French-style formal garden, while the lower level is a more relaxed, English-style garden.

Exploring these lush spaces, I was transported back to the 18th century, imagining the aristocrats strolling the promenades. It’s fascinating to learn that the gardens underwent extensive archaeological research to restore them to their original Baroque design.

And I’m planning to share the picture of the gardens with you at some point. So stay tuned.

When planning your travel to Białystok, the best time would be summer, where the days are quite long, gardens are full of blooming flowers and you can enjoy great time in the city centre in the evening.

But for now, if you need this picture for your blog post, don’t hesitate to download it and use it in your article. Just don’t forget about the attribution, please.

It feels great to share with you a picture from my hometown, the place I spent many days when I was a student.