Królikarnia

Królikarnia (English: The Rabbit House) is a historic palace in Warsaw, Poland in the classical style, as well as a neighborhood in the Mokotów district of Warsaw. A museum dedicated to Polish sculptor and artist Xawery Dunikowski has been located in the palace since 1965.^[1]

History

Portrait of King's mistress Catherina Gattai Tomatis, one of the palace's most notable residents.

The palace is named for its former role as a rabbit warren for King Augustus II the Strong.^[2] Królikarnia was erected for the King's Theatre Entrepreneur and Chamberlain - Charles Thomatis, Count de Valéry by Royal architect Domenico Merlini on the picturesque Vistula escarpment. The palace was built between 1782 and 1786.^[1] It was modelled on the famous renaissance Villa Rotonda outside Vicenza, designed by Andrea Palladio. In his estate, the count established a brewery, a brickyard, an inn, a mill, a barn and a garden with vineyard. Controversially Thomatis was also described as a pimp for King Stanisław August Poniatowski, whose "villa at Królikarnia was little more than a high-class brothel".^[3]

In 1794, during the Kościuszko Uprising, the insurrection's leader Tadeusz Kosciuszko resided in the palace. In 1816 the estate was purchased by Michał Hieronim Radziwiłł, and in 1849 by Ksawery Pusłowski, a passionate collector of art. A few years later in 1879 the palace was partially destroyed by fire, and shortly afterwards rebuilt by Józef Huss for the Pusłowski family.

Królikarnia was completely destroyed during extensive bombardments by the Germans in 1939 and 1944.^[1] The palace, intended to house the collection of sculptures by Xawery Dunikowski, was reconstructed in 1964.^[1]

References

External links

Media related to Królikarnia Palace at Wikimedia Commons

• Królikarnia Museum

Museums in Warsaw Adam Mickiewicz Museum of Literature Antonina Leśniewska Museum of Pharmacy Apartment of Stefan Żeromski at the Royal Castle Asia and Pacific Museum Czapski Palace Fryderyk Chopin Museum Gas Museum Geological Museum of the State Geological Institute Historical Museum of Warsaw Katyń Museum Królikarnia Łyszkiewicz Apartment Maria Skłodowska-Curie Museum Mausoleum of Struggle and Martyrdom Museum and Institute of Zoology Museum of Caricature Museum of Evolution of Polish Academy of Sciences Museum of Independence Museum of Industry and Agriculture Museum of Industry Museum of John Paul II Collection Museum of King Jan III's Palace at Wilanów Museum of Modern Art Museum of Pawiak Prison Museum of Polish History Museum of Praga Museum of Scouting Museum of Sport and Tourism Museum of Technology Museum of the Castle and Military Hospital at Ujazdów Museum of the Earth of Polish Academy of Sciences Museum of the History of Polish Jews Museum of the Polish Peasant Movement Museum of Polish Military Technology National Museum National Museum of Archaeology National Museum of Ethnography Polish Army Museum Poster Museum at Wilanow Royal Castle Warsaw Railway Museum Warsaw Uprising Museum Wilanów Collection X Pavilion of the Warsaw Citadel

Coordinates: 52°11′20.4″N 21°1′42.5″E / 52.189000°N 21.028472°E / 52.189000; 21.028472