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Polish Cavalry Monument

The Polish Cavalry Monument, also known as the Millennium of Polish Cavalry Monument, is located in Warsaw near Jazdy Polskiej Roundabout at the edge of Pole Mokotowskie. The monument was conceived in 1978, with an organizing committee formed in 1981 and a cornerstone laid in 1983. Mieczysław Naruszewicz’s winning design was cast in 1987 in Warsaw. The bronze sculpture shows two galloping horsemen: a Piast-era armored warrior with a spear and a uhlan with a sabre, symbolizing the beginning and end of Polish mounted formations. It was unveiled on 3 May 1994 and later turned in November 2018 to face the roundabout and the Politechnika metro station.

Polish Cavalry Monument on a tall pillar above a grassy mound, with dark horse and rider figures at the top.
The Polish Cavalry Monument rises on a slender pillar above a grassy mound, topped by a dark sculptural group of horses and riders.
May 2007 © · CC BY-SA 3.0
Stone inscription pylon of the Polish Cavalry Monument showing engraved battle names and years against a blue sky.
The Polish Cavalry Monument’s inscribed pylon, with historical battle names carved into the stone.
May 2007 © · CC BY-SA 3.0
The Polish Cavalry Monument inscription panel stands in front of modern office buildings and a city street.
Inscription panel of the Polish Cavalry Monument in Warsaw, with modern buildings visible in the background.
May 2007 © · CC BY-SA 3.0
Bicycle rental station with docked bikes on a paved city square.
A Veturilo bicycle rental station with parked bikes on a city square.
May 2015 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
A small stone structure with a blue door beside a paved path.
A small stone structure with a blue door in an outdoor setting.
May 2015 © · CC BY-SA 4.0

Identification

TitlePolish Cavalry Monument
Original titlePomnik Tysiąclecia Jazdy Polskiej
TypeMonument
SubjectThe Polish horse cavalry, including cavalry in general

Location and ownership

LocationWarsaw, Poland
Specific locationby Jazdy Polskiej Roundabout, on the edge of Pole Mokotowskie, in the Śródmieście district
Casting locationBrąz Dekoracyjny cooperative in Warsaw

Historical context

Initiative to build1978
Organizing committee formed1981
Intended original locationOn the escarpment of Łazienkowska Route at the exit of Jazdów Street in Warsaw
Cornerstone laid1983
Design competition1984, 13 entries
Cast1987
Unveiled3 May 1994

Creator

Model for the figuresColonel Zbigniew Starak, participant in the charge at the Battle of Schoenfeld, described as the last cavalry charge and mounted battle fought by the Polish cavalry
DesignerMieczysław Naruszewicz, sculptor and designer
Plaque designerSculptor Marek Moderau

History and restoration

Rotation planned forFourth quarter of 2018
Rotation directionFrom south to northeast, a 135-degree turn
Rotation purposeTo turn it toward the roundabout and Politechnika metro station
Rotation initiative launched2016
Inscription correctionsBattle-name and date errors were corrected after 11 years, including Obertyn, Orsza, and Beresteczko
Rotation completed20–21 November 2018
Location changed due toUnstable geological conditions

Physical characteristics

Plaque contentA list of 43 of the most important battles in the history of the Polish cavalry
Pedestal decorationFour cast brass plaques on the lower part of the column shaft
OrientationSet too high on its column and facing away from pedestrians and traffic

Appearance

Depicted figuresTwo riders galloping on horseback: a Piast knight armed with a lance, sword, and shield, and a uhlan soldier with a sabre in his outstretched hand

Iconography and meaning

SymbolismThe two riders symbolize the beginning and end of Polish horse cavalry

Materials

Plaque materialBrass, made from artillery shell casings supplied by the army