Among the visitors from Poland who played a rather distinctive role in Dubrovnik were Karol Radziwiłł, the Voivode of Vilnius, known as ‘Sierotka’, accompanied by his retinue, and a mysterious self-proclaimed pretender to the Tsar’s throne. The backdrop to Radziwiłł’s journey was the formation of the Bar Confederation (1768–1772). It was formed in Bar, in Podolia, primarily against Russia and Poniatowski, as they were seen as a threat not only to the sovereignty of the state but also to the privileges of the nobility. Despite initial successes and support from abroad, including from France and Turkey, the confederates suffered defeat and failed to prevent the First Partition of Poland in 1772.

Following the collapse of the Confederation, Radziwiłł was forced to leave Poland at the end of May 1772. Whilst in exile, he remained convinced of his own importance and hoped to find influential patrons, particularly at Versailles. These plans proved, at least in part, to be in vain – the Confederates were instead urged to reach an agreement with Stanisław August. It was only when the peace negotiations between Turkey and Russia at Focșani broke down that the situation improved somewhat.

In the Russo-Turkish conflict, the former Confederates saw an opportunity to continue their cause. One hundred years after the Battle of Vienna, however, the Turks were to be allies rather than enemies of the Poles. Efforts were made to establish a Polish legion within the Turkish army. In 1773, the French supported this idea. In 1774, Radziwiłł therefore set out on an expedition to Turkey. His route was to take him through Venice and then through what is now Croatia. Radziwiłł’s allies – Szymon Kossakowski, General Marshal of the Lithuanian Army; Kazimierz Pułaski; Józef Zajączek, the future Viceroy of the Kingdom of Poland; and Wojciech Kluszewski – had already arrived in Dubrovnik.

They quickly realised that Dubrovnik could serve as an excellent base for further operations. As a result of an internal conflict, Kossakowski left for Turkey, and in Dubrovnik, Pułaski – the future American hero – assumed command, proclaiming himself military commander. Ultimately, most of the Confederates went to Turkey, whilst Voivode Karol Radziwiłł arrived in Dubrovnik with a retinue of around 60 people. Among the new arrivals was also a woman claiming to be Princess Tarakanov and the rightful heir to the Russian throne. Although the story was pure fiction, it could undoubtedly have been politically useful to the Confederates.

Initially, the Confederates’ plans seemed to have a chance of coming to fruition. The Turks not only agreed to the formation of the legion but also to its funding, which enabled Radziwiłł to finance his stay in Dubrovnik as well. However, the situation became more complicated following the conclusion of the Turkish–Russian peace treaty in July 1774. Admittedly, the Confederates continued to receive support from Turkey for some time, but this too soon came to an end. Deprived of funds and increasingly unwelcome in Dubrovnik, the visitors were forced to leave the city in October 1774, having, incidentally, borrowed money for this purpose from the townspeople of Dubrovnik. For the locals, however, the Poles’ departure was, for many reasons, most welcome. On the one hand, to put it mildly, the Poles’ carefree lifestyle and the brawls they instigated made daily life a nuisance. On the other hand, for the Republic of Dubrovnik – which was still manoeuvring and fighting to preserve its independence – these newcomers, whom Russia might have regarded as a threat, were at the very least a nuisance. It must be admitted that Radziwiłł’s flamboyance may also have impressed the inhabitants of Dubrovnik. One story about such extravagant festivities – which helped to bolster his standing – recounts how, upon his arrival, the prince decided to take a sleigh ride through the streets of Dubrovnik. As there was no snow, the streets were strewn with sugar for this purpose.

Upon arriving in Dubrovnik, Radziwiłł first stayed at the suburban residence of the French consul, René Charles Bruère-Desrivaux, situated outside the city walls in Boninovo (Skociubuha), and his entourage took up quarters in a former Jesuit monastery. Shortly afterwards, however, he decided to move into Dubrovnik itself, renting the Confalonieri family palace—owned by Mitija Vizelić—as his residence. The alleged princess, meanwhile, remained at the consul’s villa. This was intended to avert a potential scandal. The Poles’ stay in Dubrovnik was therefore short-lived and had, in fact, no significant consequences.

The only trace of their presence is a plaque commissioned by the owner of the Confalonieri family palace, Mitija Vizelić, to commemorate the stay of such distinguished guests at his estate. It is difficult to assess what his motives were – whether he was genuinely proud of his part in this story, or whether he saw it as a means of bolstering his prestige, or perhaps simply of increasing the value of his estate. In any case, he had the following inscription engraved on a small plaque:

Carlo Principi Radzvillio Ac Vilnae Palatino / Quod Hanc Domum Sua Commoratione Honestaverit / Mattthias Vizelisch Eiusdem Aedis Dominus / Se Suoque Posteros Ob. Acceptam Gratiam Perpetuo / Addixit / Anno MDCC. LXXIV //.

Prince Karol Radziwiłł, Palatine of Vilnius / Honoured this house with his residence / Matthias Vizelisch, Lord of the House / He himself and his descendants received perpetual grace / Added / Year MDCC. LXXIV //.

The plaque was hung on the Confalonieri family palace, but during the communist era it was ordered to be removed, reportedly on the instructions of the Russians. Its subsequent fate is not entirely known. It probably ended up in one of the lapidaria, and there were also rumours that it had been re-installed. Ultimately, however, its exact whereabouts remain unknown.

I would like to thank Ms Paulina Kovačević for her help in searching for information about this artefact.