This "Rabbit Palace" is located in Mokotow, an up and coming, trendy neighborhood of Warsaw, and seems like a green oasis in its grey, apartment building surroundings. Not that is was very green this time of the year, but we could imagine it being that way in the spring and summer. The entire property is studded with sculptures- inside and alfresco. With our luck, most of pieces outside were covered for the season, but that gave the estate an even eerier look- as if it were something out of a horror film.
This statue further complemented our conviction that Dracula's Polish relations lived (or perhaps still live) here.
The exhibition inside the museum was small, organised in rooms according to theme. Even if all the pieces didn't visually jive, after reading the explanation of the concept or the history of the artwork, one could appreciate the vision which went into the curation of this space.
The building itself was beautiful, even if the interiors were a little plain compared to what we were sure existed before the war. The domed roof and exterior columns gave a lightness which contrasted greatly with the dreary winter surroundings. A long time ago, this estate was the meeting point for hunts- a function which gave it its name- the Rabbit Palace, for the rabbits hunted were specifically bred here on location.
Later it became the estate of some prominent Polish families and after WWII, it was nationalized, thanks to which we can see it today. The lady at the museum said that the last owner wanted to demolish it because it was in such poor shape. Luckily we can enjoy the property and the palace for free, and imagine that this romantic estate is their home.
The verdict?
If you are looking for a nice place to stroll and looking to get some culture and art without feeling stuffy, Krolikarnia is the place for you. Though I wouldn't suggest visiting it if you only have a weekend in Warsaw, but if you are here for more than just a couple of days, get lost in this "cemetery" of statues and sculptures, after which you can relax in their cute bookstore café.
Bisouxx,
B[ZU]