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Kościuszkowców Memorial

Kościuszkowców Memorial, also known as the Kościuszko Infantry Division Memorial, commemorates the attempt by soldiers of the Soviet-organised Polish 1st Tadeusz Kościuszko Infantry Division to aid the Warsaw Uprising during World War II. It stands at the intersection of Wybrzeże Helskie and Okrzei Streets at the entrance to Port Praski in North Praga, Warsaw, near the former Komora Wodna building on the Vistula river. By September 14, 1944, Polish and Red Army troops had cleared the German forces from Warsaw’s right bank, while the uprising continued across the river. Several attempted landings at Czerniaków and Kępa Potocka ultimately failed to relieve the insurgents.

Kościuszkowców Memorial bronze statue of a uniformed figure with one arm outstretched on a stepped base
The Kościuszkowców Memorial in Warsaw, showing a weathered bronze figure on a dark stepped pedestal.
May 2009 © · CC BY-SA 2.0
Kościuszkowców Memorial bronze figure with raised hand against a cloudy sky
The Kościuszkowców Memorial in Warsaw, shown from a low angle with a green-patinated bronze figure.
July 2013 © · CC BY-SA 3.0
Kościuszkowców Memorial bronze figure with one arm outstretched against a blue sky and trees.
The Kościuszkowców Memorial shows a dramatic bronze figure set against the sky and surrounding trees.
April 2014 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
Kościuszkowców Memorial with a skateboarder performing a trick beside the bronze monument
The Kościuszkowców Memorial rises behind a skateboarder in mid-air near the monument base.
© · CC BY 3.0
Kościuszkowców Memorial bronze monument with an outstretched arm on a paved plaza under a blue sky.
Kościuszkowców Memorial rising above a paved plaza on a bright day.
April 2011 © · CC BY 2.0

Identification

TitleKościuszkowców Memorial
Alternative nameKościuszko Infantry Division Memorial (Pomnik Kościuszkowców)
TypeMemorial monument

Historical context

CommemoratesThe aid and attempted crossings by the Soviet-organised Polish 1st Tadeusz Kościuszko Infantry Division to support the Warsaw Uprising during World War II
Historical contextConnected to the Warsaw Uprising and the actions of the Polish 1st Infantry Division and the Red Army in September 1944
Date referenceBy 14 September 1944, troops from the Polish 1st Infantry Division and the Red Army had cleared the Wehrmacht from Warsaw's right bank (Praga), while the Warsaw Uprising, which began on 1 August, was still ongoing on the opposite bank
Related military actionDetachment landings at Czerniaków (in Solec) and Kępa Potocka (in Żoliborz) to support the uprising
Outcome of related actionThe landings ultimately failed to relieve the Polish insurgents in the capital
Cause of failureInsufficient planning and lack of tactical support
WarWorld War II

Creator

Committee chair for constructionWłodzimierz Sokorski
Landscape designerBogusław Chyliński
Designer / sculptorAndrzej Kasten

Discovery and provenance

Design competition dateSpring 1979
Competition slogan... but the most beautiful is our Vistula shore, a line from a popular wartime song about the 1st Division
Number of competition entries30
Winning designerAndrzej Kasten
Planned completion year1980
Construction delay causeThe rise of the Solidarity movement and the subsequent declaration of martial law by the communist regime
Construction initiatorsThe Union of Polish Army Veterans and the Kościuszkowiec Club
Foundation stone date7 October 1983
Foundation stone occasion40th anniversary of the founding of the Polish People's Army

Materials

MaterialBronze
Casting foundryZakłady Mechaniczne im. Marcelego Nowotki

Physical characteristics

Weight48 tons
Approximate number of elementsAbout 300
Overall composition heightMore than 16 meters
Height12 meters

Appearance

Depicted figureA soldier
Depicted attireA rogatywka cap and a flowing cape
Depicted weaponPPSh-41 submachine gun
Depicted gestureReaching out a hand toward the left bank of Warsaw
SettingA large stone-paved square planted with greenery

Technique

Special transport requirementA special transport route was needed from the factory to the installation site because of the monument's size and weight

Location and ownership

Relocation statusAs of 2018, the move had not progressed
Dedicated toThe Kościuszkowcy, the soldiers of the 1st Tadeusz Kościuszko Infantry Division
LocationAt the intersection of Wybrzeże Helskie and Okrzei Streets, at the entrance to Port Praski, in Praga-Północ, Warsaw, Poland
Current relocation plansIn 2011, plans emerged to move the monument to the area near Świętokrzyski Bridge because of development at Port Praski
Nearby landmarkNear the former Water Chamber building on the Vistula River

History and restoration

Unveiling date17 January 1985
Unveiling occasion40th anniversary of the liberation of Warsaw

Other

NicknameFive beers, please
Nickname explanationA joke based on the soldier's hand gesture
Original Russian nameПамятник пехотной дивизии имени Костюшко
Organized byThe Soviet Union