Palace Gatehouse from the 19th Century

The palace gatehouse is a neoclassical entrance gate with guard houses, leading to the palace and park complex of the Primates of Warsaw in Skierniewice. It was built in 1779-1780 according to a design by architect Efraim Schroeger, almost a century earlier than the building's name might suggest. The gate stands at the entrance to the park grounds, near the Prymasowski Palace.

A gate from the time of Primate Ostrowski

The guard houses at the entrance gate were built of brick in neoclassical style during the reconstruction of the palace complex commissioned by Primate Antoni Ostrowski. The architect was Efraim Schroeger, who was active at the time on numerous commissions for Polish aristocracy and clergy. This same reconstruction of 1779-1780 gave the palace its neoclassical character, which has been partly preserved to the present day.

Position within the palace and park complex

The palace and park complex in Skierniewice covers approximately 30 hectares and served as a residence of the Primates from the 17th century, when a first palace was erected in 1609-1619 on the orders of Primate Wojciech Baranowski. After a fire in 1759, the building was thoroughly reconstructed under Primate Władysław Aleksander Łubieński, and another reconstruction, this one involving Schroeger and the gatehouse by the entrance, was carried out twenty years later. The entire complex, the palace together with the gate, is entered in the register of monuments under number 896.

Current management

Since 2010, the palace and park grounds have been managed by the Institute of Horticulture; previously the building belonged to the Warsaw University of Life Sciences. The Institute carries out scientific and administrative activities here, which affects how accessible the area around the gate is to visitors.

Practical information

• Address: ul. Henryka Sienkiewicza, Skierniewice (grounds of the palace and park complex)
• Access: the gatehouse stands at the entrance gate to grounds managed by the Institute of Horticulture, so this is not a standard free-entry attraction. The gate and guard houses can be viewed from outside, and entry to the grounds themselves depends on the rules established by the institute
• Getting there: the site is located in the centre of Skierniewice, within walking distance from the town centre
• What to expect: a neoclassical entrance gate from the 18th century, viewed mainly from outside, surrounded by the historic palace park