Adam Kazanowski

Kazanowski was born into a very wealthy Polish family in the time when the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth was at the peak of its territorial size and power. His family belonged to “szlachta”, a powerful and wealthy ruling class, and Adam grew up as a companion of the future King Wuadysuaw IV Vasa.

As a King’s close friend and advisor, Kazanowski accompanied him in his travels and supported him in his political ambitions. In return, the King has showered his friend with powerful titles, offices and lavish gifts. Certainly the most impressing gift was the splendid palace in the Italian style built for him by the royal architect Constantino Tencalla and considered as the most astonishing building in Warsaw.

Kazanowski began his political career as the starost (royal official) of Barcko. During his lifetime, he held many governing titles and positions. Most of them were very well paid what contributing to increase of his fortune and prominence in society. His great wealth Kazanowski was spending on hedonism and entertainment of every kind. His portrait made by artist Peeter Danckers de Rij displays him as a handsome and vigorous man weighed nearly three hundred pounds.

Besides Kazanowski Palace, he owned almost half of the Praga district in Warsaw, the magnificent Krzysztofory Palace in Kraków, and estates that included whole villages in other areas of Poland.

He died in 1649, leaving all his fortune to his wife Elzbieta Sluszczanka since in the 17th century Polland women were allowed to own properties. After his death, one contemporary wrote, “Never has Poland seen so much wealth in a private hand of a single man.”