In the 17th century Poland experienced long-lasting and devastating wars with Sweden, Russia and Turkey, which caused serious damage to Polish culture and brought enormous destruction to many valuable monuments. By the end of the 18th century Poland had grown so weak that it suffered three partitions among its neighbours: Russia, Prussia and Austria, disappearing from the map of Europe for more than one hundred years. Owing to its raw materials, the country has been coveted from the XVIIth century by the neighbour expansionist powers. In 1795, Poland disappeared from the European map after the three divisions between Prussia, Russia and Austria.

During that difficult period the Polish nation retained a strong national identity, which manifested itself in several heroic uprisings of the 19th century (each of them was crushed) and art and literature which expressed patriotic thought.