The PKO building, located at 31/33 Świętokrzyska Street in Warsaw, is an outstanding example of early modern architecture in Poland. The building, which has gone through a turbulent history since its construction in 1922-1923 until today, remains one of the most important symbols of the post-war reconstruction of Warsaw.
The design of the building was created by Józef Handzelewicz in 1921-1922, and it was the first public building erected in Warsaw after Poland regained its independence. Construction began in 1922 and was completed a year later. The original part was located on the corner of Swietokrzyska and Jasna Streets and had six storeys. In 1930 the building was extended, and around 1932 it was raised by two additional storeys thanks to the use of an innovative welded reinforced concrete structure designed by Stefan Bryla.
The building before the superstructure. The photo (scan) comes from the weekly Stolica no. 20 (1793) 01.08.1982
The Postal Savings Bank building is an excellent example of semi-modern architecture with elements of pseudo-classicism. Characteristic features are the Ionic-style columns on the ground floor and the corner dome that crowns the building.
At the end of the 1930s, it was planned to merge the edifice with the newly constructed PKO Head Office building, which was built on the corner of Marszałkowska and Świętokrzyska Streets. Unfortunately, these plans were not realised and the Head Office building was destroyed during the Warsaw Uprising.
During the Warsaw Uprising, the building played a key role as the headquarters of the commander of the uprising, Colonel Antoni Chrusciel “Monter”. A field hospital also operated in the building. on 30 August 1944, the building was severely damaged as a result of German bombing, which led to the collapse of part of the ceilings and a fire. on 4 September, after further air raids, the building was almost completely destroyed. After the war, in 1961, the former PKO headquarters was rebuilt for use by the General Post Office. During the works, directed by architects Wacław Kłyszewski, Jerzy Mokrzyński and Eugeniusz Wierzbicki, the original appearance of the building was changed – the top floor was modified, the dome lowered and the canopies on the side of Świętokrzyska Street were not restored. The external decoration has also been restored – smooth plaster has been laid and windows without muntins have been fitted. The inscription “Pocztowa Kasa Oszczędności” above the corner entrance is also gone.
The PKO building in 1933 and 2024. Source: Digital National Library Polon and whiteMAD/Mateusz Markowski
View from the corner entrance before the war and today. Source: NAC – National Digital Archive www.nac.gov.pl/ and whiteMAD/Mateusz Markowski
Between 1995 and 1996, the building’s interiors were modernised, bringing them up to modern standards. Currently, the building houses the Warsaw 1 Post Office and the offices of the District Management. A commemorative plaque placed at the entrance commemorates the employees of Warsaw’s postal and telecommunications offices who gave their lives fighting the Nazi occupiers in 1939-1945.
The Postal Savings Bank building is not only an important architectural element of Warsaw, but also a symbol of the city reborn after the war. Its turbulent history, from the beginnings of construction, through wartime destruction, to reconstruction and contemporary use, reflects the fate of Warsaw and its inhabitants.
Source: warszawa.fandom.com, warszawa1939.pl
Read also: Architecture in Poland | Elevation | Metamorphosis | Modernism | Warsaw
