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Monument to Victims of the Wola Massacre

The Monument to Victims of the Wola Massacre commemorates the civilians murdered in Warsaw’s Wola district during the Warsaw Uprising, from 5 to 12 August 1944. Unveiled on 27 November 2004, it stands in Skwer Pamięci at the intersection of Solidarity Avenue and Leszno Street in Warsaw. The monument was designed by sculptor Richard Stryjecki in collaboration with architect Olaf Chmielewski and sculptor Mieczyslaw Syposz, and it is made of Finnish granite. One side bears an inscription and a list of victim addresses, while the other side includes ten irregular pits in the stone, evoking people lined up against a wall for execution.

Granite Monument to Victims of the Wola Massacre with engraved Polish text and memorial candles at the base.
The Monument to Victims of the Wola Massacre features a rough granite surface, engraved inscriptions, and memorial candles below.
August 2012 © · CC BY-SA 3.0
The Monument to Victims of the Wola Massacre, a rugged granite memorial with abstract human figures and circular recesses on its facade.
Monument to Victims of the Wola Massacre on a paved plaza, with abstract figures carved into its granite front.
August 2012 © · CC BY-SA 3.0
Monument to the Victims of the Wola Massacre with a rough memorial wall, carved figures, circular openings, and wreaths at the base.
Monument to the Victims of the Wola Massacre, with wreaths and candles placed at the base of the memorial wall.
August 2012 © · CC BY-SA 3.0
Monument to the Victims of the Wola Massacre with a rough-hewn granite face covered in names and dark indentations.
The Monument to the Victims of the Wola Massacre features a granite memorial wall inscribed with names and marked by deep indentations.
September 2006 © · CC BY-SA 2.5
Blue Skwer Pamięci street sign mounted on a light-colored pole with trees and a building in the background.
The Skwer Pamięci street sign stands among trees near the Monument to the Victims of the Wola Massacre.
August 2012 © · CC BY-SA 3.0

Identification

TitleMonument to the Victims of the Wola Massacre
Original-language namePomnik ofiar Rzezi Woli
TypeMonument

Historical context

Commemorated eventThe Wola massacre, the mass murder of the civilian population of Warsaw's Wola district by Germans during the first days of the Warsaw Uprising
Date of commemorated event5–12 August 1944

Location and ownership

LocationSkwer Pamięci, at the intersection of Aleja Solidarności and Leszno Street, Warsaw, Poland
Square nameSkwer Pamięci (named in 2008)

History and restoration

Unveiled27 November 2004
Unveiling occasion60th anniversary of the Warsaw Uprising
InitiativeBuilt on the initiative of a committee led by Bogdan Bartniczak, Lechosław Olejnicki, and Krzysztof Tadeusz Zwoliński

Creator

CollaboratorsOlaf Chmielewski (architect); Mieczysław Syposz (sculptor)
DesignerRyszard Stryjecki

Materials

MaterialFinnish granite

Appearance

Western-side inscription"Mieszkańcy Woli zamordowani w 1944 roku podczas Powstania Warszawskiego"
Western-side contentBelow the inscription is a list of addresses where the victims lived, with the number of people killed at each address
Eastern-side inscription"Pamięci 50 tysięcy mieszkańców Woli zamordowanych przez Niemców podczas Powstania Warszawskiego 1944 r."
Eastern-side sculptural featureTen irregular recesses in the granite surface resembling silhouettes of people lined up against a wall for execution
Connecting elementsThrough-holes pierced through both sides

Other

Visitor noteVisited by German Ambassador to Poland Rolf Nikel on 1 August 2018
Action by Rolf NikelLaid a wreath, paid tribute, and expressed pain, shame, respect, and a wish for peace