The Palace on the Water is a must for both art-lovers and history buffs. Originally a bathhouse for powerful aristocrat Stanislas Lubormirski, it was completely remodelled by Poland's Last King, Stanislas August Poniatowski (r.1764-95) who made it his Summer Residence. The palace is surrounded by some delightful parks, which are dotted here and there with follies and curios. Don't miss the little White House, once the home of the King's lover, and later that of the exiled Comte de Provence, future King Louis XVIII. Stanislas August was a great patron of the arts, and this is reflected in the sumptuous interiors of the main palace. A good deal of the monarch's original collection has survived, and the building itself came through the war in better shape than most, despite considerable damage. A restrained yet exquisite royal residence, this is one of the most beautiful buildings of its kind in Central Europe.
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