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Chandeliers as objects of decorative and applied art were developed in the process of historical evolution to express with much clearance the artistic and stylistic ideas of the time in which they were forged. In all interiors the chandelier was the dominant part, which attracted attention through its shape, size and design decisions. Among the many types of lamps, the chandelier plays the most significant role in the compositional organization and decoration of the palace interior. The thing is, that the evolution of the chandelier types goes along with the development of the artistic style itself, as well as with the history of palace interiors, that is why the best way to perceive a chandelier as a decorative object is to display it in the historical interior. Due to world events of the 19th and 20th centuries, as well as the rapid change in styles, many palace and apartment interiors have reached us in a modified form, including the significant loss not only in the interiors themselves, but also in the meaning of a chandelier as a lightning device. In the second part of the 20th century (from 1950s to 1990s) a significant number of monuments, chandeliers included, were restored thanks to the data based on archival documents. Also, the public interest in systematic study of the past with the help of direct knowledge of the material culture and its monuments, widespread since the 19th century, was the very thing that contributed to the organization of museums and exhibitions, where the atmosphere of the past was restored, and where lighting devices were selected and demonstrated in different ways, depending on the exhibition’s aims. It could be, for example, a reconstruction of the actual interior, face or overall spirit of the epoch. As in the first case, the chandelier could be a real witness of the actual interior. However, in the second case, its part is reduced. This article discusses the problem of preservation and authenticity of lighting devices; the correct way to rebuild it without any perversion and lost parts, and, in some cases, the way to claim its authenticity. However, it should be stressed, that aesthetic function of historical chandeliers is secondary here to the initial function of ordinary illumination. The lightning device should be shining the same way as it was created in the initial epoch. Thus, this group of questions regarding the palace and period room interiors has different solutions: in one case the chandeliers are for the illuminating purposes, in the other – they should be seen as an interior detail, mostly. In this article, I highlight the rules of exposure of the chandelier in the historical, i.e. palace, interior and in the so-called period room. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The summer residence of Polish kings was built in Lobzow, a small village located in a previous neighboring Cracow city, former capital of Polish Kingdom. Nowadays Lobzow is a popular district situated close to the old historical center. The main aim of the paper is to present some research and design difficulties in the palace, connected with the specifics of the place, as well as the complicated stratigraphic situation, being the result of several transformations which took place in a residence during its long history. The very poor condition of the building was the first huge problem for the researchers and conservators. The interiors were seriously destroyed, among them were beautiful wooden painted ceilings, historical stone details, etc. In that circumstances the most important was to start architectural research and archeological excavation before conservation and designing works. The excavations and all required research also historical and archival started in 1999. Thanks to preserved written sources we know about early history of the royal palace. The beginnings of the residence date from XIV century when a small castrum was built. Next it was transformed into a huge Mannerist palace at the end of XVI century and rebuilt in a Baroque style a little bit later. Then it was demolished by Swedish army to be reconstructed and expanded in XIX century as cadets' high school. Because of its reach history with so many architectonical transformations, the palace is a true challenge for scientists and the reconstruction of its historical changes and following phases is like a puzzle. The results of the research gave some new information about this complicated but fascinating building. They confirmed mostly the information we had from historical sources but they allowed also to recognize some unknown phases and discovered some architectural solution applied here which we hadn't expected before. Although they became a base for the conservation designing and modernization actions leading to the final adaptation of the building. In a future one should take into account the revaluation of the surrounding park with the royal gardens and archaeological researches on the court yard. Nowadays the building belongs to Cracow University of Technology and it is a main seat of Faculty of Architecture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]