Old Orangery

Did the citrus trees shiver in Warsaw’s winters? I wonder this standing before the Old Orangery in Łazienki Park. This elegant building, constructed between 1785 and 1788, served a vital purpose for King Stanisław II August. The Old Orangery protected the exotic citrus trees that graced the royal gardens during warmer months. Designed by architect Dominik Merlini, the Old Orangery isn’t just a historical greenhouse. It houses treasures within its walls. The Royal Theatre, a rare surviving 18th-century court theatre, calls the Old Orangery home. Imagine attending a performance here in the king’s time. The theatre’s wooden interior, enhanced with marbleized polychromes, creates exceptional acoustics. Two hundred spectators could enjoy performances. The king occupied the central box, directly across from the stage. Eight stucco female figures, each holding gilded wooden candlesticks, stand between the boxes, adding a touch of elegance. The Old Orangery also houses the Royal Sculpture Gallery. This gallery showcases King Stanisław II August’s impressive collection of marble statues and plaster copies of renowned ancient and early modern masterpieces. Originally, these sculptures played a role in the ideological design of the royal residences. For example, the Farnese Hercules and Belvedere Apollo adorned the Ballroom at the Palace on the Isle. In the Old Orangery, some 120 plaster casts are displayed against a backdrop painted by Johann Christian Kamsetzer. This creates the illusion of strolling through an Italian garden adorned with statues. The Old Orangery underwent a significant refurbishment between 2012 and 2016. This restoration, funded by the EEA and Norwegian Financial Mechanisms along with the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage, brought the building back to its original splendor. Today, the Old Orangery stands as a testament to both the botanical passions of a king and the enduring power of art. The building itself echoes the grandeur of 18th-century Warsaw, offering a glimpse into a world of royal theatre, stunning sculptures, and the fragrant aroma of citrus trees, safe from the Polish winter chill.