The east wing of the Royal Castle’s main floor is now home to a permanent exhibition of various works of art that had formerly been spread throughout the property, including two works by Rembrandt: 'The Girl in a Picture Frame' and 'The Scholar at the Lectern.' Both paintings were part of a major donation of 37 works of art given by Countess Karolina Lanckorońska, a Polish resistance fighter and concentration camp survivor who, upon Poland’s return to independence in 1989, bequeathed her family’s art collection to the nation. The Castle has done an impressive job of staging the artworks, with muted walls and focused lighting keeping all the attention on the various portraits of 16th and 17th century royalty like Marie Antoinette and still life paintings of flower-filled bounties. There’s a room devoted to porcelain, tapestries and glassware from the era, plus changing temporary exhibits. The Castle’s free admission on Wednesdays have seen the gallery overrun with visitors, so serious art lovers will want to pay for the chance to wander at a less harried pace.

Average visiting time: 1hr.