Lubomirski Family - Philanthropists and Patrons

Philanthropists and Patrons

The Lubomirski family, like other rich aristocratic families exercised artistic, cultural and scientific patronage. At the family castle – Wiśnicz, which the family has owned until now and in Wilanów, the Royal Baths, Łańcut, or Mokotów they supported private theatre groups, financed artists, funded religious buildings and cared for the design of residences. Reconstruction of the Wiśnicz castle was made by Maciej Trapoli. The castle chapel was decorated with stucco by Giovanni Battista Falconi, whereas Stanisław Lubomirski (1538 – 1649), who financed the renovation of the castle, also founded twenty sacred objects.

Prince Marceli Lubomirski for many years supported the work of Cyprian Kamil Norwid. He was immortalized by the poet in the book White Flowers. Prince Józef Lubomirski (1751 – 1817) was a promoter of the country industrialization and reforms, capable military commander, a knight of the Order of White Eagle (the highest state distinction) and the Order of Saint Stanislaus. He supported the Constitution of May 3, 1791.

The Lubomirski family built private schools for pupils on their estates. They often put schooling in the hands of professionals – the Order of Piarists and the Order of Jesuits. The members of the family founded monasteries, churches and other religious buildings. Prince Stanisław Lubomirski founded the Carmelite Monastery in Wiśnicz, which is still the pearl of Renaissance architecture in Poland. For many decades, residents of the castle in Wiśnicz contributed various legacies to the monastery. Jerzy Dominik Lubomirski (c. 1665 – 1727) gave the Pauline Monastery at Jasna Góra many valuable objects, including the sacred vessels. It was his initiative to build the main gate leading to the Monastery. The gate is called the Gate of the Lubomirski Family.