Mlodziejowski Palace

Main data:

Year of construction: between 1650 and 1699
Year of reconstruction: 1957
Designer: ??? (conversion by Fryderyk Albert Lessel, reconstruction by Borys Zinserling)
Location: ul. Miodowa 10

Miodowa street is really one of the most beautiful ones in the city, mostly thanks to numerous former residences and palaces, located on both its sides. Mlodziejowski Palace, located at the axe of Kapucynska street, is one of the most magnificent ones among them.

The exact date of the palace's construction is not known, but out of those buildings which stand still today at Miodowa street this is one of the oldest ones, it dates back to the second half of 17th century. Like many other of this kind of residences, Mlodziejowski Palace was converted several times, it also changed its owner and functions a few times. Initially (probably from 1699) it was the residence of the Mazovian Voivode Stanislaw Morsztyn (that is why it is sometimes called Morsztyn Palace), then it belonged to Voivode of Sandomierz - Stefan Bidzinski. Later it was owned by Wodzinski and Massalski families. In 1766 the building was bought by the Bishop of Przemysl - Andrzej Mlodziejowski - the most commonly used name of the palace comes from this person. Mlodziejowski ordered to reconstruct the palace - two annexes were added - the conversion, which was finished in 1771, was probably designed by the court architect Jakub Fontana.

In years 1793-94 the building was the residence of Russian ambassadors in Warsaw - first Jakob Johann Sivers, and later Osip Igelström (who was earlier a commander of Russian army which stationed in Poland). The second one was known for much repressive measures against Poles, because of that during Kosciuszko Uprising in 1794 his headquarter became one of main targets to attack. The building was much destroyed then, however the ambassador has managed to runaway.

From first years of 19th century the building was owned by Feliks Potocki. In years 1806-11 the reconstruction was done, according to a plan by Fryderyk Albert Lessel. Two more annexes were constructed (closer to Podwale street) and a backyard was formed in that way. The new owner did not have much time to enjoy his residence - he died in 1811. His wife has later sold the building. In 1818 the palace was bought by a merchant Karol Zeydler, who organised a merchants' guild here - the building became a place of meetings and parties of Warsaw tradesmen at that time. But that was also not for a very long time - only till 1829. Later - from 1839 a pharmacy was located here. At the end of 19th century also a restaurant was situated here, as well as some shops and flats for rent.

The building was burned in September 1939, and later, during Warsaw Uprising in 1944 it was actually completely destroyed. Its reconstruction was finished in 1957, an architect Borys Zinserling was its author. Like many other Warsaw historical buildings, the palace was not reconstructed in the form as it looked like just before the war (a classicist one), only an initial, baroque form was restored.

After the war, until 2006 the building was owned by science publishing house (Państwowe Wydawnictwa Naukowe). Later it was bought by Mermaid Properties company, which has renovated the palace in years 2008-11: the interiors were restored and the front courtyard was cleared from trees - thanks to that the exposition of the object is much better now. First, there was a plan of locating luxurious apartments here, but eventually the palace became an exclusive office building.

Historical views of Mlodziejowski Palace:

Mlodziejowski Palace before the end of renovation:

Mlodziejowski Palace today: