Kościuszko Infantry Division Memorial
The Kościuszko Infantry Division Memorial (Pomnik Kościuszkowców) commemorates the attempt to aid the Warsaw Uprising by soldiers of the Soviet-organised Polish 1st Tadeusz Kościuszko Infantry Division during World War II. It stands at the intersection of Wybrzeże Helskie and Okrzei Streets at the entrance to Port Praski (the port of Praga) in North Praga in Warsaw, near the former Komora Wodna building on the Vistula river.
By September 14, 1944, troops from the Polish 1st Infantry Division and the Red Army had cleared the Wehrmacht from the capitol city's right bank (known as (Praga)), while the Warsaw Uprising was still ongoing from August 1 across the river in Warsaw proper. Detachments from the Polish Division attempted several landings at Czerniaków (in Solec) and Kępa Potocka (in Żoliborz) to give their support to the Uprising. However, due to insufficient planning and non-existent tactical support, the landings ultimately failed to relieve the Polish partisan army in the capitol.
History
The chairman of the committee for construction of the monument was Włodzimierz Sokorski. In the spring of 1979 a design competition awarded the work to sculptor Andrzej Kasten from among thirty entries, under the slogan "... but the most beautiful is our Vistula shore," a line from a popular war-era song about the 1st Division.
The monument was planned for completion by 1980, but work was delayed by the rise of the Solidarity movement and the ensuing declaration of martial law by the communist regime. Through the initiative of the Union of Veteran Combatants as well as the affiliated Kosciuszko Club, work started with the foundation stone laid on October 7, 1983 in connection with the 40th anniversary of the Polish People's Army founding. The 12-meter, 48-ton sculpture was cast in bronze at the Zakłady Mechaniczne im. Marcelego Nowotki. The monumental statue depicts a soldier clutching a PPSh-41 and clothed with a billowing cape, desperately reaching out his hand towards the left-bank of Warsaw. All told the statue contains about 300 elements. Due to the enormity of the casting's size and weight, a special transportation route from the factory to the final site was required.
The whole composition is over 16 meters high, and is surrounded by a large stone-paved square planted with greenery. The architectural designer of the monument was Bogusław Chyliński. The project involved contributions from numerous businesses, veterans groups, youth groups and the soldiers from the Polish Army. The unveiling of the monument took place on January 17, 1985 on the 40th anniversary of the liberation of Warsaw.
It is sometimes jokingly referred to as "five beers please" by the locals, in reference to the hand gesture of the soldier.
In 2011, due to a proposed development at Port Praski, plans emerged to move the monument to the Świętokrzyski Bridge, however the move has not progressed as of 2018.
- v
- t
- e
- Adam Mickiewicz Museum of Literature
- Apartment of Stefan Żeromski at the Royal Castle
- Asia and Pacific Museum
- Copernicus Science Centre
- Czapski Palace
- Fryderyk Chopin Museum
- Gas Museum
- Geological Museum
- Jewish Historical Institute
- Legia Warsaw Museum
- Łyszkiewicz Apartment
- Maria Skłodowska-Curie Museum
- Museum and Institute of Zoology
- Museum of Caricature
- Museum of Diving
- Museum of Evolution
- Museum of Independence
- Museum of John Paul II Collection
- Museum of John Paul II and Primate Wyszyński
- Museum of King Jan III's Palace at Wilanów
- Museum of Modern Art
- Museum of Polish History
- Museum of Scouting
- Museum of Sport and Tourism
- Museum of Technology
- Museum of the Castle and Military Hospital at Ujazdów
- Museum of the Earth
- Museum of the History of Polish Jews
- Museum of the Polish Peasant Movement
- Museum of Warsaw
- National Museum
- National Museum of Archaeology
- National Museum of Ethnography
- Neon Museum
- Polish Army Museum
- Royal Castle
- Theatre Museum
- Warsaw Icon Museum
- Warsaw Railway Museum
- Warsaw University Museum
- Warsaw Uprising Museum
popular culture
- Vampires of Warsaw
- The Mysterious Lady
- Exile to Siberia
- Kochaj tylko mnie
- Adventure in Warsaw
- Siege
- To Be or Not to Be
- Warsaw Premiere
- A Generation
- Kanał
- Ashes and Diamonds
- Eroica
- Ring of Spies
- The Night of the Generals
- Hrabina Cosel
- Death of a President
- Warszawa (song)
- What Will You Do When You Catch Me?
- Warsaw (album)
- Teddy Bear
- And the Violins Stopped Playing
- A Short Film About Killing
- A Short Film About Love
- Jönssonligans största kupp
- Undeclared War
- Kiler-ów 2-óch
- The Pianist
- The Foreigner
- Reverse
- Spies of Warsaw
- Floating Skyscrapers
- Warsaw 44
- The Zookeeper's Wife
- Teefa in Trouble
- 1983 (TV series)
- The King of Warsaw
- Operation Hyacinth