The air whispers secrets of kings and queens. Before you stands Wilanów Wysoki a neighborhood steeped in history. This isn’t just any place. It’s part of the larger Wilanów district home to the magnificent Wilanów Palace.
Imagine this area in the 13th century. A small village named Milanów existed here. It was founded by the Benedictine monastery of Płock. Later it became the private property of the Dukes of Mazovia. A humble mansion and chapel marked its beginning. The descendants of the people who lived there took the name Milanowski.
Fast forward to the 17th century. The village changed hands. The Leszczyński family began constructing a new palace. Sadly their efforts were destroyed during The Deluge. Swedish forces ravaged the land.
Then came King Jan III Sobieski. In 1676 he purchased the depopulated village. He commissioned Tylman van Gameren and Augustyn Wincenty Locci. Together they built the magnificent Baroque palace we associate with Wilanów today. The palace originally called Villa Nova was soon renamed Wilanów.
Wilanów’s location close to the king’s summer residence and Warsaw made it a desirable place. It became a favorite retreat for Polish nobles. It was the final stop on the Royal Road. The 18th century saw the palace pass to Hetman Adam Mikołaj Sieniawski. His widow Elżbieta Sieniawska expanded its influence. She combined Wilanów with the nearby villages of Kabaty Powsin and Wolica.
The area’s fortunes shifted again. After the January Uprising in 1863 Russian authorities reorganized the administration. Wilanów became the center of the communes to the south. Its importance grew as a food supplier for Warsaw. A horse-drawn railway connected it to Warsaw in 1890. The line proved so popular that steam trains replaced the horses in 1892.
After World War II the communist government nationalized the palaces in Wilanów. The Wilanów Palace became a museum. In 1968 a unique museum opened within its walls the Museum of Posters. Wilanów officially became part of Warsaw in 1951.
Today Wilanów Wysoki thrives. It is home to many international schools attracting expats. Yet the echoes of its rich history remain. As you explore Wilanów Wysoki remember the tales of kings and queens. Remember the humble beginnings and the grand achievements. Remember Wilanów Wysoki’s place within the broader history of Wilanów.