Białystok Archives - just moving around just moving around

It has already been one year since we visited Podlasie, Northern Poland, and on our way back, we reached the city of Bialystok to access the motorway that took us home. Still, we had planned our itinerary to allow for a walk around the historic city. One of the highlights there is the Branicki Palace. You cannot visit the interiors as it serves as the seat of the local medical academy. It hosts a museum of medical history on its premises, but the museum was unfortunately closed on Monday.

So, we walked around the palace and explored its garden. The place is very well-maintained. In addition to the French-style garden, the backyard is surrounded by a park with many huge old trees. As it was a particularly hot day, my travel companions and my baby niece sought shelter in its shade. Meanwhile, I walked around the palace and its garden, taking pleasure in looking fo the best shot. Initially, I thought that the photos wouldn’t turn out well due to the noon lighting. But it turned out well.

The Branicki Palace was built in the early 18th century and was the residence of the Branicki family, a prominent Polish noble family. The construction of the palace was commissioned by Jan Klemens Branicki, a powerful magnate and military leader. He was a wealthy and influential figure in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. The palace was built as a residence for him and his family. It remained in the possession of the Branicki family for several generations. The family was known for its wealth and patronage of the arts. They played a significant role in the cultural and social life of Białystok and the surrounding region.

The Palace was designed by Johann Christian Schuch and constructed between 1697 and 1705 in the Baroque style. Its exterior reflects the grandeur and opulence of the era. The Palace complex includes the main palace building, as well as various outbuildings, stables, and a chapel. The interiors of the palace were known for their luxurious furnishings, intricate artwork, and splendid ballrooms.

In the early 19th century, during the Napoleonic Wars and the subsequent Congress of Vienna, the palace came under the control of the Russian Empire. It was used as a residence for members of the Russian imperial family, including Grand Duke Konstantin Pavlovich and his wife, Grand Duchess Anna Feodorovna. After Poland regained its independence following World War I, the palace became state property. It was used for various purposes, including housing government offices and institutions.

Unfortunately, some parts of the palace were destroyed during World War II, but efforts have been made to restore and preserve its historical value.

In the 20th century, the palace was acquired by the Medical University of Białystok. It became the main building of the university and has served educational and administrative functions.

To my POLAND photo gallery

Travelling around Podlasie, we decided to go to Białystok for one day. Białystok is not only the capital of Podlasie but also the largest city in north-eastern Poland. We focused on the Branicki Palace, went out through the park from its back side, further turned right, where we walked around the Old Town, and for a few moments, we entered the Basilica, which is located between the old town and the palace, closer to the front of the palace.

The arch cathedral basilica of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Białystok consists of two interconnected church buildings: the old Late Renaissance (from the beginning of the 17th century) and the new Neo-Gothic (from the beginning of the 20th century). The renaissance church looks like the left wing of the Neo-Gothic church. The first photo shows a small fragment of it. I took my photos in however the interior of the Neo-Gothic church.

The Neo-Gothic church is a three-nave structure with a single-nave transept, arranged like the Latin cross. It is 90 m long and 72.5 m high (counting in the towers). Below, yo can see photos of the Neo-Gothic facade and photos taken in the main nave with a view of the main altar and the organ. Let’s also pay attention to the beautiful floor.

The main altar is dated 1915 and made in the Neo-Gothic cabinet style. It is made of oak wood, varnished and polished. The linden wood was used for figures. Some elements have a golden ducat cover. The apostles are shown in the lower level. Above it, the main scene is about the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Higher we see the image of the Holy Trinity: God the Father, the Son of God and the Holy Spirit. Finally, on the wings of the altar, we see four scenes from Mary’s life. In the upper left section, the archangel Gabriel appears to Mary), and the upper right section shows St. Anna welcoming Mary. In the lower-left section, we see the Christmas nativity scene; in the lower right section, a priest is holding the Baby Jesus.

There are several other altars in the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Białystok, including the altar of Our Lady of Częstochowa (a painting in probably the most important sanctuary in Poland) and of Our Lady of the Gate of Dawn (a painting in a sanctuary in Vilnius). Unfortunately, not wanting to disturb the faithful praying in front of the latter, I did not take any picture of the latter not wanting to disturb the faithful praying in front of the latter. Below are a few more photos of the altars, stained glass windows and photos taken in the side aisles of the Basilica.