The first year of work on any project based on financing from European Union funds is always difficult, because it is associated with the selection of contractors for specific tasks, as well as the actual start of work. This was also the case this time, although we are still going to have to conduct additional tendering procedures in the coming years.
In the meantime, in 2017 we successfully:
- Selected contractors for works carried out as part of the 11 tender procedures and 3 offer inquiries.
- As part of Task No. 1, Conservation, documentation and securing work in the Garden Galleries and the Lapidarium on the ground floor of the Palace – completed substantive works in the north gallery and began preparations for work in the Lapidarium and the south gallery. We also completed works consisting of carrying out photogrammetric documentation of three rooms in the Palace, including laser scanning and digital photographs, as well as preparation of documentation related to these works.
- For Task No. 2, Modernisation and reconstruction of the garden gallery exhibition halls on the upper level of the Palace – the contractor selection procedure as part of a so-called technical dialogue, which started in 2017, is ongoing.
- Where it comes to Task No. 3, Conservation renovation of the roof of the north wing of the Wilanów Palace – all technical works have been completed, accepted and settled.
- As part of Task No. 4, Repair and security works in the Orangery building – construction work on the building insulation, combined with archaeological studies, has begun.
- As part of Task No. 5, Conservation and making copies of four Hercules figures along with pedestals – works on the conservation of two sculptures and pedestals have been completed. Plaster models of the sculptures have also been made, to be used to make copies.
- As part of Task No. 6 – Development of three-dimensional documentation of a selected collection – digitalisation of four bisque (unglazed) porcelain sculptures has been completed. Digitalisation of the first of two palace interiors (the Queen's Antecabinet) has also been completed and the first series of tests on the ageing changes occurring on the Palace elevations has been carried out. The necessary computer equipment was purchased for the carrying out of this task.
- As part of Task No. 7 – Promotion – an information board for the project was made and installed. A conference was organised to inaugurate the project. The progress of the renovation and conservation works is reported on the Museum website (in Polish and English) as well as on the Museum page on Facebook. Production of two films also began: one showing the perception of the historical Palace interiors by visitors, another documenting the progress and results of the project (both films will be available in Polish and English versions).
- By implementing and coordinating the realisation of the material and financial schedule of the project, as well as the payment schedule, four annexes to the grant agreement were introduced, along with the preparation and implementation of four payment claims.
It is clear, therefore, that the museum's “Team for Implementation, Settlement and Maintenance of the results obtained” has done a huge amount of work in 2017. We are aware that the works are sometimes inconvenient for visitors to the Wilanów residence and that its difficulties are also felt by Museum employees, whose offices are often adjacent to areas of intensive construction and conservation works. However, we are certain that the effects we will see at the end of 2019 will be dazzling.
