Post-war damages record. View on Downtown ruins due West from building at Copernicus Street (ul. Kopernika). In the foreground – wreckages of houses at Copernicus and New World Streets (ul. Kopernika i Nowy Swiat). In the background from right: All Saints’ Church Tower at Grzybowsky Square (plac Grzybowski), Prudential and finally west frontage of tenements at Napoleon Square and Hospital Street (plac Napoleona i ul. Szpitalna). Shot taken between January 19th and 21st 1945.
Today’s Insurgents of Warsaw Square (plac Powstancow Warszawy), before war named Napoleon Bonaparte Square, was one of the most picturesque sites in the city. Present condition of the square is a result of unfortunate post-war decisions. It has performed a considerable part during the Uprising. Here, where the very first bullets in North Downtown were fired, was the rallying-point commemorated with a plaque.
Post-war damages record. Destroyed Prudential building at Swietokrzyska Street and Napoleon Square (plac Napoleona) – shot from Mazowiecka Street. In the foreground, wreckages of house at the corner of Świętokrzyska and Mazowiecka Streets. In the background, Polish Municipal Bank and part of west frontage of tenements at Napoleon Square (plac Napoleona).
Prudential outlooking at Insurgents of Warsaw Square. The building, currently under renovation, was formerly one of the tallest in Europe at just 66m (220 ft), and still proves magnificent accomplishments of pre-war Polish engineering. For example it had the first TV transmitter in Europe. Despite constant bombing in 1939 the construction designed by Stefan Bryla survived and was successfully restored in 1945.
The Prudential was occupied by Polish soldiers form ‘Kilinsky’ battalion from August 1st. Scouts came up with an idea to leave national flag hanging from the mast. It was seen from almost all of the Downtown and cheered up both civilians and soldiers.
The crossing of Vain (ul. Prozna) and Marshal Streets (ul. Marszalkowska), a shot from Credit Street (ul. Kredytowa) due South-West. The tenement at Marshal Street 147, in the back – PTJC Polish Telephone Joint-stock Company building (budynek PAST-y) at Herbaceus Street (ul. Zielna) on fire.
The PTJC building was a potential threat to Polish civilians and soldiers, as it was a perfect site for German snipers. Final takeover on September 20th ended three weeks struggle and substantially cheered polish morale. The building was severely damaged. It was rebuilt in a simplified architectural form after II World War.
Picture of Warsaw Uprising. Crossing of Marshal (ul. Marszalkowska) and Royal Streets (ul. Krolewska), a shot due North-West. In the foreground, wreckages of house at the corner of Marshal and Royal Streets. In the background, ruins of Stock Exchange at Royal Street 16.
Ever since the Uprising started, it was a place of the most fierce battles, as the most important trade routes - East-West and North-South, met here. Despite constant bombing, Downtown held out till October when Polish forces were finally forced to capitulate. Picture taken on August 17th 1944.
Post-war damages record. Wreckages of tenement at Marshal Street (ul. Marszalkowska).
The Downtown invasion was assisted by German artillery and air forces. Another serious problem for civilians and soldiers alike was a shortage of running water as constant bombing and fire was hard to handle. Bombing ended on October 2nd when the capitulation order was signed. According to the capitulation agreement, Germans promised to treat Home Army soldiers and civilians humanely, but after the remaining population had been expelled, the Germans started the destruction of the remains of the city. The demolition squads used flame-throwers and explosives to methodically destroy house after house. There were 11 668 insurgents expelled from Downtown. Shot taken in Summer of 1945.
Picture of Warsaw Uprising. Marshal Street (ul. Marszalkowska) crosses Royal street (ul. Krolewska), a shot due West. In the foreground, an insurgent on wreckages of house at the corner of Marshal and Royal Streets (ul. Marszalkowska i Krolewska ). Ruins of tenement at Marshal Street 153 (ul. Marszalkowska) across the street. Fightings from the Marshal Street (ul. Marszalkowska) area were a topic of the very first documentary broadcasted in Palladium Cinema at Golden Street (ul. Zlota) on August 13th 1944. What is more, it was the first film shot after 1939. Picture taken on August 17th 1944.
Post-war damages record. Tenements at Crows’ Street (ul. Krucza), a shot from Jerusalem Avenues (Aleje Jerozolimskie).
Picture of Warsaw Uprising. Credit Street (ul. Kredytowa) towards Marshal Street (ul. Marszalkowska), a shot from Malachowsky Square. In the foreground from right, Glass’s tenement at Credit Street 6 (ul. Kredytowa) and barricade set up from trash bins. Shot taken on August 17th 1944.
Post-war damages record. New World Street (ul. Nowy Swiat) towards Jerusalem Avenue (Aleje Jerozolimskie). On the left hand side, west tenement’s frontage, on the right hand side, in the back, National Economy Bank House. Shot from January 1945.
Post-war damages record. New World Street (ul. Nowy Swiat) seen from Jerusalem Avenues (Aleje Jerozolimskie). Wreckages of corner tenement at May 3rd Avenue (Aleja 3-ego Maja) straight ahead. Shot from February 1945.
Post-war damages record. Outlet of Warecka Street, shot from New World Street (ul. Nowy Swiat). On the left hand side, remains of the Sanguszko mansion at New World 51(ul. Nowy Swiat), on the right hand side Mikulsky tenement at New World 53 (ul. Nowy Swiat).There’s manhole on the corner of New World (ul. Nowy Swiat) and Warecka Streets, which at this time was becoming a major means of communication between different parts of the Uprising.
Picture of the Warsaw Uprising. Cracow Suburb Street (Krakowskie Przedmiescie) shot from the interior of the Holy Cross Church through torn wall towards Copernicus Street (ul. Kopernika). A soldier looking at the foreground, in the back remains of buildings. Tenements from left, no 10 and 8.
Picture of the Warsaw Uprising. Cracow Suburb Street (Krakowskie Przedmiescie) shot from the interior of the Holy Cross Church. In the foreground Jesus Christ Statue, The Staszic Palace in the back. tenements from left: no 6 and 4, in the background, fronton of childrens’ hospital at Copernicus Street 43 (ul. Kopernika). Shot from August 25th 1944.
Picture of the Warsaw Uprising. Friars’ Street (ul. Bracka) shot from View Street (ul. Widok). In the foreground from left, part of the barricade at View Street (ul. Widok) and military patrol heading towards next barricade. Shot from August 16th 1944.
At the beginning of the Uprising insurgents were very successful, they managed to capture many buildings. Situation became serious after sixth week of fighting when Germans approached from behind. They expelled inhabitants and systematically burned house by house. Even though, the insurgent did not surrender until the capitulation.
Picture of the Warsaw Uprising. Barricade on the Golden Street (ul. Zlota), shot from Grand Street (ul. Wielka). The city, particularly in this area seemed a completely ‘different world’. Of course, there was a fighting here, but still for many soldiers it remained oasis of peace.
As the fighting dragged on, the inhabitants of the city faced hunger and starvation. Although this area of the city has surrendered, but it has never been captured. Shot from summer of 1944.
Post-war damages record. Tripple Cross Square (Plac Trzech Krzyży), a shot towards Jerusalem Avenue (Aleje Jerozolimskie). In the foreground, remains of the neoclassist St. Alexander's Church, in the back from right, tenements at Prince’s and New World Street and Jerusalem Avenue (Aleje Jerozolimskie). The church was built in 19th century and has witnessed a number of historic events, including the Home Army soldier wedding massacre, when the groom was executed on site, 90 guests were arrested and the bride was sent to Auschwitz.
The square was completely destroyed during the Uprising. The church was rebuilt after but its dimensions were reduced. Shot from winter of 1945.
Picture of the Warsaw Uprising. Insurgent from ‘Brook’ (“Ruczaj”) Battalion on barricade at Mokotowska Street. Shot from end of August of 1945.
Behind the Tripple Cross Square (Plac Trzech Krzyży) there was a German district. Magnificent mansions and tenements became Germans’ homes and occupation offices. The Mokotowska Street was a border between Polish and German side of the city.
Picture of the Warsaw Uprising. In the old picture we can see Graves at Marianska, new photo was taken closer to Towarowa Street. Shot from August of 1944.
At first funerals was conducted wit honours but soon it became impossible to find even a coffin. Therefore, people were buried in the park, at squares… It was not a lack of respect, it was a lack of other options. Corpses were transferred to collective graves after war
Post-war damages record. St. Augustin’s Church at Nowolipky Street, shot from Carmelites’ Street (ul. Karmelicka). Shot taken between January 19th and 21st 1945.
The Warsaw Ghetto covered the area of Downtown, Muranowo, Wola and the Old Town. The final expulsion of the remaining Jews began on April 19th 1943 when The Ghetto Uprising broke out. To the Germans’ surprise Jews resisted significantly under Mordechaj Anielewicz command. Struggle officially ended in mid-May. Later on the ghetto was completely razed to the ground.
Post-war damages record. Remains of the Kierbedz Bridge, shot Towards Praga. Winter of 1945. There was not a single bridge in Warsaw after war. The Germans detonated all the bridges to block the insurgents way to Praga. The Slasko-Dąbrowski Bridge is built on the very same piers as the Kierbedz Bridge.
Post-war damages record. Krasinscy Square (plac Krasinskich), shot from Nowiniarska Street. Straight ahead the remains of District Court Building and Krasinscy Palace fasade at left. On the right hand side, tram traction stamps. Shot taken at the turn of April and May of 1945.
Western Allies supported the Warsaw Uprising with airdrops of munitions and other supplies dropped off Krasinsky Square. Therefore, it has a key meaning for the Uprising and this is why the Warsaw Uprising Statue is here. But what is the most important, there a manhole which at this time was a major means of communication between different parts of the Uprising and more than 5 thousands people evacuated through it.
Post-war damages record. Kanonia Street, shot from Castle Square. Straight ahead ruins of tenements from left no 26, 24, 22 and 20. In the foreground on the right hand side, scrap of building no 10, on the left hand side, cathedral’s presbytery. Shot from January of 1945.
Kanonia Street – Square is one of the most picturesque sites at The Old Town. It is hard to believe that in the Middle Ages there was one of the first city cemeteries here . All tenements were destroyed during the Uprising. They were successfully rebuilt in late fifties.
Post-war damages record. Ruins of tenements at the East side, Barssa at the Old Town Market, shot from Waski Dunaj Street. Shot from January of 1945.
The main strike of the German forces began on the 19th August. The infantry was supported by air forces and artillery. People who managed to escape the Old Town had only one word to describe it: hell. Uprising at the heart of Warsaw held up to September 2nd. In the morning on that day, a German tank shot down the Sigismund’s Column (kolumna Zygmunta) with one precise shot. The Germans were surprised by the absence of Polish soldiers who had been evacuated through the sewers. From that moment on, they did not underestimate the strategic meaning of the city sewers. After The Old Town had been taken over, the fightings moved to the neighbouring Downtown.
Post-war damages record. Ruins of tenements at Old Town Market, shot from Jesuit Street (ul. Jezuicka) due North. Shot taken late January 1945.
Today, it is hard to believe that by 1945 90% of the buildings were destroyed. Germans were dispatched throughout the city in order to burn and demolish the remaining buildings: nothing was to be left of what used to be a city. It is said that only two buildings at Krzywe Kolo Street survived the demolition.
Today’s look of Warsaw is a result of great national effort. Especially, two names are worth mentioning: Stanisław Lorentz and John Zachwatowicz as they were highly active in the process of restoration of Warsaw. Warsaw's Old Town has been placed on the UNESCO's list of World Heritage Sites as ’an outstanding example of a near-total reconstruction of a span of history covering the 13th to the 20th century’.
Picture from German occupation period. The Royal Castle substantially destroyed in 1939. Shot taken in early forties of 20th century.
The Castle burnt after the German bombing in September 1939. During Warsaw's occupation the Castle was plundered by the Germans. All these actions were secretly documented with photographs. An art historian – Stanislaw Lorentz – was the one who supervised this process. On Hitler's orders, the Castle was due to be blown up at the beginning of 1940. The bomb unit drilled a number of holes to put dynamite in however, it was not until after the Warsaw Uprising when this order was carried out.
Post-war damages record. Shot taken in January 1945. Remains of the Warsaw Main Rail Station (Warszawa Glowna), shot from Jerusalem Avenue (Aleje Jerozolimskie).
The construction of the Rail Station began in 1932. This was supposed to become one of the most modern in contemporary Europe. As construction continued in 1938, the first passengers were able to use the partly completed Warsaw Main. A few weeks before the war, on June 6, 1939, the still unfinished station was partly destroyed in an accidental fire. The station, though still unfinished and partly destroyed, remained operational. This lasted until the Warsaw Uprising when, as a result of battle, the damage to the station got significantly bigger. The Germans, soon before retreating from Warsaw, blew the remains up.
Post-war Warsaw. American airplane Dakota (Douglas C-47 Skytrain) over Jerusalem Avenue (Polish: Aleje Jerozolimskie)
Thanks,lizol.Very well done and very informative.It's hard to imagine the suffering that the Polish people experienced...first under the Nazis and then under the Communists.But that's over now thank God.
very well done... A+