The phenomenon of the Saski and Brühl Palaces – a video series on YouTube
The “Phenomenon” series is a cycle of twelve films in which a number of researchers and specialists describe some of the most interesting topics related to the history of the Saski and Brühl Palaces. Each episode focuses on a different aspect of their past, setting it in the wider context of the history of Warsaw and Poland. The setting for the series is the 2023 archaeological survey of the site of the former Brühl Palace, which yielded nearly ten thousand artefacts. Our guide for each episode is the Head of the research, Michał Grabowski.
Why did the Germans blow up the Saski and Brühl Palaces?
Despite the damage suffered by the Saski and Brühl Palaces during the September campaign, both buildings survived almost the entire period of World War II. It was not until the end of 1944, after years of functioning in both palaces, that the Germans blew up the buildings. The context of this event and the answer to the question of why it happened is provided by historian Tomasz Leszkowicz, PhD. Maciej Grabowski, a sapper, speaks about objects related to the occupation period that were found in the Brühl Palace.
Why weren’t the Saski and Brühl Palaces rebuilt?
Nearly 70% of Warsaw’s buildings were destroyed as a result of World War II and the deliberate demolition of the city after the fall of the Warsaw Uprising. One of the tasks of the Capital Reconstruction Office, set up as early as February 1945, was to restore the historic district, i.e. the buildings in the Old Town and Krakowskie Przedmieście Street. Although many Varsovians wanted to see the city in its 1939 shape, the western frontage of Piłsudski Square (later called Victory Square for more than four decades) was not reconstructed. Artur Bojarski, PhD, historian and Varsavianist, talks about the post-war vision of the capital.
Why is the Palace called “Saski”?
The Warsaw Palace, with its monumental colonnade concealing the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in the central part, is best known in its 20th century form. Although it was very different from that of the 18th century, the name of the palace still referred to Saxon (Saski in Polish) times. Why didn’t Augustus II focus on the Royal Castle during his reign and initiated the Saxon Axis instead? This question is answered in the next episode of the series by art historian Alina Barczyk, PhD, who takes a closer look at the period when education, culture and art flourished in Warsaw.
Why the Brühl Palace?
Heinrich Brühl went down in Polish history as an effective politician who went far in his career, although his methods did not always meet with universal acclaim. In 1750, he purchased the palace located next to the seat of King Augustus III. At the same time, he decided to rebuild it in order to add splendour and demonstrate his position. He was not the last owner of the place, nor the last to change its shape, but it was the name of the Saxon minister that has already become a permanent part of the name of the palace. In this episode of the series, art historian Alina Barczyk, PhD, and historian Adam Perłakowski, PhD, professor at the Jagiellonian University, discuss the phenomenon of Brühl Palace and its owner.
Did the Brühl Palace sculptures have hidden meanings?
Sculptural decoration adds splendour to the buildings and complements them. The unusually richly decorated palace on Wierzbowa Street in Warsaw was intended to testify to the power and political ability of its owner, Minister Heinrich Brühl, who enjoyed the confidence of King Augustus III. While the front facade was decorated with personifications of virtues such as generosity and integrity, the side of the Saxon Garden had sculptures of Vertumnus and Pomona, i.e. fertility deities. The significance of these and other decorations of the palace is explained by art historian Jakub Sito, PhD, professor at the Institute of Art of the Polish Academy of Sciences.
What kind of food was served at the Saski and Brühl Palaces in the 18th century?
The old court style cuisine hides many surprises for modern people. For example, it may come as a surprise that the most elaborate dishes were eaten during Lenten days. The cooks had to use their inventiveness to ensure that, despite religious restrictions, interesting dishes continued to appear on the tables of the wealthy. Traces of such feasts have been found during excavations at both palaces. Jarosław Dumanowski, PhD, professor at the Nicolaus Copernicus University, tells us about the surprising things that were eaten in those days.
How was the Brühl Palace remodelled in the 20th century?
Because of its name, the Brühl Palace may be associated by many with the splendour of the Saxon era. However, the form of this impressive building from the 1930s, after an extremely successful reconstruction under Bohdan Pniewski, is closer to our era. The refreshed facade, reminiscent of the most glorious moments in the palace’s history, hid sophisticated, modernist interiors ready to meet all the needs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs located here. Archaeological research consultant arch Wojciech Wółkowski, PhD, Eng, tells us what made the building stand out from other state buildings. The episode presents some of the fragments of stonework from this period, found during archaeological work in 2023.
How did Polish scientists help defeat the Third Reich?
It was at the Saski Palace, in the interwar period, that the German Enigma cipher machine was first broken. Work on decrypting the code was carried out at the time by young, extremely talented mathematicians from the Cipher Bureau. Prof. dr hab. Grzegorz Nowik, a historian affiliated with the Institute of Political Studies of the Polish Academy of Sciences, talks about the significance of the cryptologists’ achievements for the Allies.
What was Piłsudski Square like during the interwar period?
In this episode of the series, we learn about the social aspect of Piłsudski Square. In the 1920s and 1930s, the paths of Varsovians going to the shops, restaurants or, in the evening, to the Grand Theatre or dancing often crossed here. This was also the venue for animal welfare day marches, rally starts and balloon flights. Adrian Sobieszczański, historian, Varsavianist and licensed guide to Warsaw, talks about what else was happening in the arena of everyday life for the inhabitants of Warsaw of this period.
Is archaeology needed today?
Archaeological research forms one of the first stages of the reconstruction of the Saski and Brühl Palaces, but also of many other investments in the creation of new infrastructure. Over the years, a lot has changed in the work of archaeologists, with new technologies such as GPR and satellite imagery making it possible to predict what is hidden in the ground. Still, fieldwork is required for historical artefacts to see the light of day. The story behind it is revealed by archaeologist Wojciech Borkowski, PhD, deputy director of the State Archaeological Museum in Warsaw.
Technical innovations in 19th century Warsaw
Warsaw could boast of innovative solutions, such as the lift in the Ossoliński (later Brühl) palace, even before the Swedish invasion. However, it was the inventions of the 19th century, such as the railway and the telephone, that brought the city to prominence as an important industrial centre. Jerzy S. Majewski, art historian and Varsavianist, also reveals where in those times you could go to one of the first open-air cinemas.
The Saxon Garden - Poland’s first public park
The Saxon Garden is one of the most beautiful oases of greenery in Warsaw. However, not everyone knows the not-so-obvious history of this part of the city. On 27 May 1727, by the decision of king Augustus II, the Saxon Garden became the first public park in Poland. Ewa Zaraś, PhD, Assistant Professor at the Department of Environmental Protection and Dendrology, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, talks about the subsequent incarnations of the Saxon Garden, as well as its most interesting aspects.
Co-financed from the funds of the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage of the Republic of Poland "Reconstruction of the Saski Palace, the Brühl Palace and tenements at Królewska Street - preparation works".
