A Colourful Costume

Thanks to the study of successive layers of painting, applied one on top of the other, it was possible to determine the previous colour schemes of the Palace, associated with subsequent renovations of the building. It was discovered that expressive colours were used – brick pink, cherry, or golden yellow. It was only in the 20th century that the colour scheme was switched to a "neutral" beige. The intense colours of the façades, characteristic of the Baroque era, were restored at the beginning of the 21st century.

The Triumphal Arches

The façades of the Garden galleries in the central part of the Palace resemble ancient triumphal arches in their form. The northern arch, located on the side of the apartments of Maria Kazimiera, features decorations relating to the virtues of the Queen. The southern arch, decorated with representations symbolising the valour of King Jan III, in turn corresponds to the location of the King's apartments.

The Sundial

Located on the southern façade of the main building, the sundial was most likely designed by the royal mathematician Adam Kochański, and perhaps some elements were consulted with the astronomer Johannes Hevelius.

The time is announced by a winged Kronos; in one hand he holds a scythe, a symbol of the inevitable course of the hours, days and years, and in the other an ear of grain which functions as the hand of the sundial.