Szymon Bogumił Zug

Zug’s sketch designs present symbolic and emblematic gardens underneath the palace of Franciszek Ksawery Branicki at Nowy Świat street in Warsaw. We don’t know whether this undertaking, the only one of its kind in Europe, was eventually executed. The architect prepared several versions of the layout, with a winding corridor leading to the gardens. Inside, there were catacombs and a labirynth of fear with grottos decorated with sculptures inspired by Egyptian art, as well as the Grotto of Hope. A stream was supposed to run through the garden and flow into a pond. The walls of interiors made to look like underground caves were to be decorated with trompe-l'œil paintings, complemented with real plants. Plans included also a Turkish style study, and a small antique-inspired temple.