The visitor from Poland who played a rather special role in Dubrovnik was the Vilnius voivode Karol Radziwill, known as the Orphan, together with his court and the mysterious Samozvanka, a pretender to the tsarist crown. The background to Radziwiłł's departure was the formation of the Bar Confederation (1768-1772). Formed in Bar in Podolia, it was directed primarily against Russia and Poniatowski, seeing in them 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 France and Turkey, the confederates suffered defeat and failed to prevent the first partition of Poland in 1772.

After the fall of the confederation, Radziwill was forced to leave Poland at the end of May 1772. In exile, he clung to his conviction of his own importance and his hopes of finding influential patrons, especially at Versailles. These plans proved, at least in part, to be flimsy - the confederates were rather persuaded to reach an agreement with Stanislaus Augustus. Only the breaking off of peace negotiations between Turkey and Russia at Fokshany improved the situation somewhat.

In the Russian-Turkish conflict, the former confederates saw an opportunity to further their cause. However, 100 years after the Battle of Vienna, the Turks were to be allies rather than enemies of the Poles. Efforts were made to create a Polish legion attached to the Turkish army. In 1773, the French supported this concept. So, in 1774, Radziwiłł set off on an expedition to Turkey. His route was to take him through Venice and then the territory of present-day Croatia. Radziwill's allies - Szymon Kossakowski, general marshal of the Lithuanian army, Casimir Pulaski, the future governor of Poland Józef Zajączek and Wojciech Kluszewski - had reached Dubrovnik earlier.

They quickly realised that Dubrovnik could provide an excellent base for further operations. As a result of an internal conflict, Kossakowski left for Turkey and Pulaski, a future American hero, took the lead in Dubrovnik, declaring himself military commander. Eventually, most of the confederates went to Turkey, while Governor Karol Radziwill arrived in Dubrovnik with his court of about 60 men. Among the arrivals was a person claiming to be Princess Tarakanov and the rightful heir to the Russian throne. Although the story was made up, it undoubtedly could have been politically useful to the confederates.

Initially, the confederates' plans seemed likely to come to fruition. The Turks not only agreed to the formation of the legion, but also to fund it, allowing Radziwill to also finance his stay in Dubrovnik. The matter became complicated, however, after the conclusion of the Turkish-Russian peace in July 1774. Admittedly, the confederates still received support from Turkey for some time, but this too soon came to an end. Deprived of funds and increasingly unwelcome in Dubrovnik, they were forced to leave the city in October 1774. For this purpose, they borrowed from the Dubrovnik bourgeoisie. For these, the departure of the Poles was extremely desirable for a number of reasons. On the one hand, to put it mildly, the cavalier lifestyle of the Poles and the brawls they instigated made everyday life miserable. On the other hand, for the Dubrovnik Republic, which was still struggling to maintain its independence, newcomers in whom Russia could see a threat were at least inconvenient. Admittedly, Radziwill's fantasy may also have impressed Dubrovnik's inhabitants. However, one of the tales of such extravagance and position-building is that the prince, upon his arrival, decided to ride through the streets of Dubrovnik on a sleigh. Due to the lack of snow, the streets were strewn with sugar for this purpose.

On arrival in Dubrovnik, Radziwill first stayed in the suburban residence of the French consul Rene Charles Bruere-Desrivaux located outside the walls on Boninov (Skociubuha) and the court was housed in a Jesuit monastery. However, he soon decided to move to Dubrovnik, renting the palace of the Confalonieri family, owned by Mitija Vizelić, as his residence. The alleged duchess, on the other hand, remained in the consul's villa. This was to spare a possible scandal. The Poles' stay in Dubrovnik was therefore short-lived and had virtually no significant consequences.

The only trace of their presence is a plaque founded by the owner of the Confalonieri family palace, Mitija Vizelić, commemorating the stay of such distinguished guests at his estate. It is difficult to say what his aims were - whether he was really proud to be part of this history, or whether he saw it as an element of prestige, or perhaps simply to increase the value of the estate. In any case, he had the inscription forged on a small slab:

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 Radziwill Palatine of Vilnius / Has honoured this house with his abode / Matthias Vizelisch Lord of the house / He himself and his descendants have received perpetual grace / Added / Anno MDCC. LXXIV //.

The plaque used to hang on the palace of the Confalonieri family, but during the communist era it was ordered to be taken down, supposedly on the instructions of the Russians. Its later fate is not entirely known. It probably ended up in one of the lapidaries, and there have also been claims that it was re-installed. Ultimately, however, its exact whereabouts are unknown.

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