Krasiński Palace and Gardens, Warsaw, Poland

Krasiński Palace (Pałac Krasińskich), also known as the Palace of the Commonwealth (Pałac Rzeczypospolitej), is a baroque residence on Krasiński Square (Plac Krasińskich), just west of the Old Town. It was built between 1677 and 1683 for the nobleman Jan Dobrogost Krasiński to a design by the celebrated Dutch-born architect Tylman van Gameren, with sculptural decoration by Andreas Schlüter. Purchased by the Polish state in 1765, it later served as the seat of the Treasury Commission and, in the interwar period, the Supreme Court. Burned and largely demolished by German forces during the 1944 Warsaw Uprising, it was faithfully reconstructed in the 1950s.

What to See

The palace is admired for its elegant baroque façades, adorned with allegorical pediment reliefs, and today functions as the Special Collections branch of the National Library of Poland. Following a major modernisation, its interiors were opened to the public in 2024 for the first time, presenting a curated permanent exhibition of the library’s most precious treasures — illuminated medieval manuscripts, early printed books and culturally significant documents, including original musical scores. Immediately behind the palace lies the Krasiński Garden, a peaceful 18th-century public park with fountains, walking paths, mature trees and colourful contemporary Pegasus sculptures. The nearby Monument to the Warsaw Uprising is well worth combining with a visit.

How to Get There

The palace sits on Plac Krasińskich, roughly 500 metres from the Old and New Towns and easily reached on foot. Bus 180 stops directly in front at the “Plac Krasińskich” stop, and the site is also within walking distance of the Ratusz Arsenał metro station (line M1). Admission to the palace exhibition is free, with a free audio guide available; it is generally open from 11:00 to 19:00 and closed on Tuesdays. The surrounding garden is a public park, open and free at all times, making this one of the most rewarding low-cost cultural stops in central Warsaw.