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Lazienki is one of the most beautiful parks in Warsaw, located quite close to the city center. There are a lot of architectural and cultural monuments on the territory of the picturesque park - the Lazienki Palace, often called "Palace on the Water", some other not so grandiose but noteworthy smaller palaces, pavilions, an amphitheater and two greenhouses. The park is really huge; you can ramble for hours along the lanes overshadowed by centuries old trees, enjoying the beauty of numerous lakes teeming with gluttonous carps, wandering into charming secluded corners, coming across numerous statues scattered all around the park.
The history of the park dates back to the 13th century, when a wooden fortress of Mazoeezki was erected on this place. In the 17th century, King Zygmunt III Waza built a luxurious palace - Ujazdow Castle, from the windows of which a splendid view on the River Wisla opened. Then the owner of these grounds became Marshal Stanislav Lyubomirsky, famous not only as a prominent political figure of those days but as amateur of arts as well. According to his order two pavilions were built near the palace in the depth of the forest - the Hermitage and Lasnya. In the 18th century the castle was acquired by the King Stanislaw August Poniatowski and within a short time the hunting ground attached to the Ujazdow Castle was transformed into a splendid park complete with a palace that became a favorite summer residence of the king. Although the park is about two centuries old it has retained its original shape and architecture.
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The main architectural attraction of the Lazienki Park is the Palace on the Water, one of the best examples of neo-classical Poland architecture. In the 17th century it was a bath pavilion that was converted later into a residence of King Stanislaw August Poniatowski. Thus the park took its name (Lazienki means "baths" in Polish). During the World War II it was slightly damaged (comparing to other buildings in the city that were simply leveled) by the Nazis. By some miracle it wasn't blown up although the Germans had already pierced holes in the walls for dynamite. Recently the palace has been faithfully restored according to the plans and pictures of the original. Nowadays it houses the Center of Contemporary Art where a part of the art collection of King Stanislaw August Poniatowski is exhibited.
In the heart of the park there is an amphitheater known as the Island Theater. The amphitheater patterned on the ancient theater of Herculaneum was designed by J.C. Kamsetzer. The semi-circular seating area is separated by the canal from the stage, which is situated on the island. Theatrical performances and concerts are still often held on its stage.
The monument to Frederic Chopin stands by a small pond in the rose garden of Lazienki Park. Chopin was born in Zelazowa Wola near Warsaw in 1810. When he was 21 years old he had to immigrate to Paris. But all his life he dreamt to come back to his motherland. Under the composer's will his heart was buried in the Church of the Holy Cross that is not far from the park. The project of the monument had been discussed for nearly half a century: patriotism wasn't favored in the country parceled out between three mighty states. It took years of efforts of most influential patriotic politicians to receive the official authorization on monument's construction. At last in 1926 the unveiling of monument designed by Waclaw Szymanowski took place. During the World War II it was blown up and reconstructed in the postwar years. Summer free open-air concerts that are held in front of the monument every Sunday have already become a good tradition and attract a lot of music lovers and tourists.
The park is full of squirrels, ducks, swans and other living creatures, welcoming those visitors who have brought something tasty for them. There are a lot of peacocks wandering free around the park like the pigeons in other city parks.
