The Saxon Garden, located adjacent to Pilsudski Square in Warsaw, was among the first public gardens in the world. The garden was originally created in the 17th century and opened to the public in 1727.
One of the most striking features of Saxon Garden is its collection of sandstone sculptures. Originally, there were 70 sculptures in the park. Many of these sculptures were removed from Saxon Garden at around the time of the Kosciusko Uprising in 1794, and sent to the Summer Garden in St. Petersburg. In 1797, only 37 sculptures remained. Today, only 20 of the sculptures survive.
Most of the statues bear inscriptions, describing the subject of the sculptures. Four of these are Astronomia (Astronomy), Historja (History), Malarstwo (Painting), and Medycyna (Medicine). Three of these names are apparently incorrect, the result of maintainence throughout the lifetime of these sculptures. Astronomia should be Astrologia (Astrology) and Historja should be Rozumność (Rationality). Medycyna is probably incorrect as well.
Astronomia
SOURCE: Astronomia (Saxon Garden, Warsaw, Poland). Photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 28 Sep 2009.
Historja
SOURCE: Historja (Saxon Garden, Warsaw, Poland). Photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 28 Sep 2009.
Malarstrwo
SOURCE: Malarstwa (Saxon Garden, Warsaw, Poland). Photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 28 Sep 2009.
Medycyna
SOURCE: Medycyna (Saxon Garden, Warsaw, Poland). Photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 28 Sep 2009.
Copyright © 2009 by Stephen J. Danko
Beautiful pictures Steve! I’ve never heard of the Saxon Garden before. It must be lovely.
I saw these sculptures the last time I was in Poland, and I wanted to take pictures of them at that time. Unfortunately, I didn’t have enough film at the time to capture all the sculptures, but digital technology now frees me from that limitation!
Steve
Steve, I am enjoying your travelogue (or is that travel-blog?) of Poland. You seem to be having a great time!
Well, Miriam, I’m back already. 🙁 Now, I’m just posting the photos I took while I was there!
Steve