Imagine a time when rabbits reigned supreme. This is the story of the Królikarnia Palace, now home to the Xawery Dunikowski Museum of Sculpture. It is a division of the National Museum in Warsaw. The name Królikarnia translates to “The Rabbit House.” The park was once a zoo. Here, rabbits were bred for hunting. This was a fashionable custom in the 17th century.
The palace itself was designed by Domenico Merlini. It was built in the 1780s. Charles Thomatis, Count de Valery, commissioned it. He was a gambler and rake. King Stanisław August Poniatowski invited Thomatis to Warsaw. Thomatis was to run the King’s Theatre. Rumor says that Giacomo Casanova’s mother was in Thomatis’s acting troupe.
Over the years, the palace changed owners and functions. It was destroyed and rebuilt many times. A fire in 1879 razed Królikarnia to the ground. The Pusłowski family rebuilt it. This reconstruction was pioneering for Polish restoration. During the Warsaw Uprising, the palace was devastated again.
After World War II, the communist government nationalized the estate. In 1948, a decision was made. Królikarnia would house the sculptures of Xawery Dunikowski. He was a prominent artist. The ruined palace was restored in 1965. This marked the beginning of the Xawery Dunikowski Museum of Sculpture at Królikarnia Palace. Dunikowski died a year before.
Today, the Museum of Sculpture organizes exhibitions. Performances, meetings, and conferences happen here too. You can also see film screenings and concerts. Outdoor events take place in the romantic park. The park surrounds the palace. The museum houses Poland’s largest sculpture collection. It spans from the 15th century to today.
The Królikarnia Palace has seen many faces. It was a rabbit warren, a noble residence, and a museum. It suffered destruction and rebirth. Now, it stands as a testament to Polish art and history. This is the Xawery Dunikowski Museum of Sculpture. It blends the past with the present. It offers a unique cultural experience.
Take a stroll through the park. Admire the sculptures. Step inside the palace. Feel the echoes of history. Consider the rabbits that once roamed here. Think about the artists who shaped this space. The Museum of Sculpture awaits you. It will captivate your senses. It will enrich your understanding of Polish culture. The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday. The opening hours are from 10am to 4pm.