Key stages of renovation in Warsaw’s Skaryszewski Park, one of the capital’s most beautiful and important green spaces, have now been completed. Work began in September 2023, with the main aim of renovating the park’s infrastructure and restoring its historical character. Now, archaeologists are working on the green space, where a new project will see the restoration of the Dali Garden, which existed in the area since the 1920s.
Work on the revitalisation of the park, carried out by the City Roads Authority in collaboration with the capital’s Greenery Authority, involved comprehensive measures to restore its historic qualities. One of the key elements of the investment was the repair of the park’s main avenue, whose surface was badly damaged. In addition, lanterns along the main walkways were replaced. The concrete lanterns were replaced by more than 100 replicas of the historic ‘Warsaw pastoral’ lanterns, which were fitted with energy-efficient LED lighting. These measures not only restored the park to its former glory, but also increased its energy efficiency.
Photo: ZDM Warszawa
The Dali Garden is being created in the north-eastern part of the park, where there used to be a grassy square closing the main avenue. Its area is approximately 5,750 square metres. Before the actual construction work began, an in-depth archive search was carried out in order to thoroughly understand the original layout of the establishment. The Capital Conservator of Monuments also commissioned archaeological work to delineate the original flowerbeds, paths and to find fragments of the original paving from the period of the garden’s creation. These activities aim to faithfully recreate its original form, which has both aesthetic and historical significance.
Dorota Pape’s Pracownia Projektowania Przestrzennego is responsible for the project, and the entire work is supervised by the unit that manages Skaryszewski Park, the Warsaw Greenery Management Board. The restoration of the garden is not only a return to the historical form of the park, but also the creation of a new, attractive space. The project envisages planting various varieties of dahlias, which for years have been a symbol of the elegance and charm of the place.
Skaryszewski Park is one of the most picturesque places in Warsaw, combining a wealth of flora with an interesting history. It is home to unique species of trees and shrubs, such as the bitter pecan tree, the American bolls and the Japanese magnolias. In 2009, the park was recognised as the most beautiful park in Poland and took third place in Europe in the Best Park 2009 competition. Created between 1905 and 1916, the greenery has been on the list of monuments since 1973, which means that any change on its territory requires the consent of the Mazovian Voivodeship Historic Preservation Officer. As a result, Skaryszewski Park retains its unique historical character.
Source: Warsaw Greenery Board, raportwarszawski.pl
Read also: Metamorfoza | Places, Squares, Parks | Greenery | Warsaw | Architecture in Poland
