SUBURBS & ENVIRONS

Wilanów:
Approx. six km south of Łazienki, on the city limits, is another Baroque gem, Wilanów – the summer residence of King Jan III Sobieski built in the mid-17th century. Often called the Little Versailles, it was supposed to remind his beloved wife of her home country – France. Visitors can admire interiors lavishly furnished with period furniture, portraits, sculptures and suits of armour. Open daily except Tuesdays.
Inaugurated in 1968 and housed by the former royal coach-house, the Poster Museum, south of the main gateway, was the first institution of its kind in the world. The palace-and-park complex, ul. Potockiego 10/16, tel. 842 07 95, .
Żelazowa Wola (Sochaczew):
A tiny village 53 km west of Warsaw, near the Kampinos National Park, Żelazowa Wola owns its fame to Frederick Chopin. In the little manor, where the most famous Polish composer was born, is now a museum surrounded by a splendid park. The major attraction of the place are the summer piano recitals, often performed by the top-rank virtuosi. Museum – Frederick Chopin’s Birthplace, Żelazowa Wola, tel. +(48-46) 863 33 00.
Half an hour’s drive from Żelazowa Wola is Nieborów, primarily noted for its magnificent Baroque palace from the late 17th century, surrounded by the English-style informal landscaped park. In the vicinity of Nieborów spreads the romantic park of Arkadia laid out by Princess Helena Radziwiłł, the lady of Nieborów palace. In the words of its creator, the park was to be an “idyllic land of peace and happiness”.
In summer, especially during the elaborate celebration of Corpus Christi, it is worth a while to visit the nearby town of Łowicz, with its originally Gothic collegiate church (15th c.), remodelled later several times. Łowicz is a well known centre of folk arts and crafts, but the most spectacular event of the region is the long Corpus Christi procession – most of its participants are dressed in traditional, colourful costumes.
Niepokalanów (Teresin):
This youngest of all Polish religious shrines is located 42 km west of Warsaw. The venerated figure of Our Lady is placed in a niche of the church tympanum. The cult of the place is mainly due to the founder of the local monastery, Father Maksymilian Kolbe. This Franciscan monk died a martyr’s death in the Nazi concentration and death camp of Auschwitz.