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The grandest of Warsaw's palaces, Wilanow (Mon & Wed-Sat 9.30am-2.30pm, Sun 9.30am-4.30pm; 15zl; ) is tucked away in almost rural surroundings on the outskirts of Warsaw, and makes an easy excursion from the city centre: buses #116, #130, #165, #180 and #522 run to the station just over the road from the palace entrance, beside the inevitable McDonald's . Sometimes called the Polish Versailles, it was originally the brainchild of King Jan Sobieski, who purchased the existing manor house and estate in 1677. He spent nearly twenty years turning it into his ideal country residence, which was later extended by a succession of monarchs and aristocratic families. Predictably, Wilanow was badly damaged during World War II, when the Nazis stole the cream of the art collection and tore up the park and surrounding buildings. In 1945, the palace became state property, and for eleven years was extensively renovated and its art collection refurbished. It's now a tourist favourite, visitable only on a group guided tour (in Polish, setting off every 20 minutes or so), and with an average summertime queue of half an hour. The approach to the palace takes you past former outhouses, including the smithy, the butcher's and an inn. Also close at hand are some decent cafes, welcome refuges after the palace tour. The domed eighteenth-century Kosciol sw. Anny (St Anne's Church) and ornate neo-Gothic Potocki mausoleum across the road lead to the entrance gates , where you buy your tickets.
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