July | 2025 | Michael Hoffman Photography

Perspectives on a Palace

In the heart of Białystok stands the Branicki Palace, a testament to the grandeur of Poland’s aristocratic past. Commissioned in the late 17th century by Stefan Mikołaj Branicki and later expanded by his son, Jan Klemens Branicki, the palace was transformed into a magnificent Baroque residence, earning it the moniker “Versailles of Podlasie.”Designed by prominent architects like Tylman van Gameren and Johann Sigmund Deybel, the palace features a symmetrical façade adorned with Ionic columns and a central pediment displaying the Branicki coat of arms. The surrounding gardens, meticulously restored with EU support, showcase French parterre designs and English landscape elements, offering visitors a glimpse into 18th-century aristocratic life.

Warsaw in Spring

Warsaw in spring feels like a city awakening from a long slumber—parks bloom with fresh colors, outdoor cafés buzz with life, and the Vistula River becomes a magnet for walkers, cyclists, and sunseekers. The city sheds its grey winter coat and reveals a lighter, more playful side. In Łazienki Park, peacocks strut among flowering trees, while students gather on the grass with guitars and picnic blankets. Along Nowy Świat and Krakowskie Przedmieście, the cafés spill out onto the pavements, inviting long conversations over coffee. Spring in Warsaw isn’t just a change in season—it’s a collective exhale, a moment when the city feels young, hopeful, and full of promise.