Mur na Mariensztacie zdewastowany

A wall in Mariensztat has been vandalised. This is what it looks like one month after renovation

For the past few months, Warsaw has been carrying out a comprehensive renovation of the historic wall in Mariensztat. Until recently, residents and tourists could admire the renovated structure, listed in the municipal register of monuments. Unfortunately, on the night of 27/28 January, the structure became the target of vandals, who covered it with a huge graffiti reading “Welcome to the capital” and other smaller scrawls. Devastation was also inflicted on the neighbouring wall of the fence of the 19th-century edifice standing at 64 Krakowskie Przedmieście Street, which housed the headquarters of Warsaw’s Resursa Obywatelska until the outbreak of the Second World War. The inscription “Legijne Powiśle” appeared there.

The Capital Conservator of Monuments, Michał Krasucki, in an interview with Polskie Radio RDC, announced that the matter would be reported to the public prosecutor’s office. Before the paint is removed from the wall, an investigation by the relevant services will be necessary. Police officers have already arrived on the scene, indicating that the case has been officially handed over to law enforcement.

Mur na Mariensztacie zdewastowany

Zobacz

Renovation and devastation of a historic wall in Mariensztat

For years, the wall had been in a poor state of repair. There was even a building disaster in February 2022, which forced the city to carry out urgent renovation work. Finally, after several months of intensive work, the renovation was completed at the end of 2024, and the cost of the entire project was more than two million zloty gross. What did the wall look like just a few days ago? We published photos HERE. The act of recent vandalism undermines the efforts of conservationists and damages the cultural heritage of the capital. As a result, voices have been raised suggesting that those responsible for destroying the wall should cover the cost of its repair. One of the most commented posts on the issue is a statement made by councillor Agata Diduszko-Zyglewska on platform X, who suggested that the Legia Warszawa club, due to its links with fans, should take financial responsibility for restoring the wall to its previous condition.

Legal consequences of vandalism

Polish law provides for severe penalties for those who commit damage to public property. Pursuant to Article 288 §1 of the Penal Code, a person who damages someone else’s property is liable to imprisonment for a term of 3 months to 5 years. In the case of an act of lesser harm, a fine, restriction of liberty or imprisonment of up to one year may be imposed. District courts often impose high fines, which can reach up to PLN 35,000. In some cases, the court may impose an obligation to repair the damage caused instead of imposing a fine.

However, the situation is different in the case of historic buildings – here the penalties are even more severe. Article 108 of the Act on the protection and care of historical monuments provides for a penalty of imprisonment from 6 months to 8 years for intentional destruction or damage of such objects. If the perpetrator acted unintentionally, he/she faces a fine, restriction of freedom or imprisonment of up to 2 years. Additionally, the court may impose an obligation to pay an allusion to the National Heritage Protection Fund or oblige the perpetrator to restore the monument to its original condition.

We asked ADCleaning, a company specialising, among other things, in cleaning surfaces from graffiti, for an approximate estimate of the cost of removing paint from the Mariensztat wall. According to the professionals, the work could amount to between PLN 8,000 and PLN 10,000.

The wall before and after the devastation. Photo: Jarek Zuzga/Okno na Warszawę and WhiteMAD/Mateusz Markowski

The wall in Mariensztat – history

The retaining wall behind the Kazimierzowski Palace, supporting the Vistula escarpment, is of great historical significance. It is a remnant of the 17th-century residence of the Kazanowski Palace. In its heyday, it was notable for its gardens, viewing terraces and petting zoo. Unfortunately, the palace was destroyed during the Swedish Deluge in 1656. In the centuries that followed, the property changed hands, eventually coming under the care of the Order of Discalced Carmelites and then the Warsaw Charity Society. Today its remains are part of the Caritas Charity Society of the Warsaw Archdiocese.

The destruction of the historic wall in Mariensztat is not only an act of vandalism, but also a serious violation of the law, which can result in severe consequences. In view of the increasing number of incidents of this type, it seems necessary to tighten up the policy on the protection of monuments and to enforce the law more effectively. Ultimately, it is the Warsaw community that suffers as a result of such acts, both financially and culturally. It remains to be hoped that those responsible will face appropriate punishment and that the historic wall will soon be restored to its original state.

Source: grupabravos.pl, samorzad.nid.pl, rdc. pl

Read also: Monument | Renovation | City | Warsaw | Architecture in Poland

The wall in Mariensztat – the beginning of renovation works and the state after their completion. Photo: Jarek Zuzga/Okno na Warszawę

The monument until recently and now. Fot. Jarek Zuzga/Okno na Warszawę and WhiteMAD/Mateusz Markowski

The wall in Mariensztat before and after the devastation. Fot. Jarek Zuzga/Okno na Warszawę and WhiteMAD/Mateusz Markowski