Mermaid's Statue

Ludwika Nitschowa designed the monument, which was established on the urging of the city's president, Stefan Starzyński.

Originally, the idea was to create a 20-meter-high glass statue of the Mermaid standing on a pillar in the Vistula River. However, this concept was found to be overly expensive and technically unfeasible. In the end, a decision was made to situate a traditional monument on the riverbank.

To create the Mermaid's sculpture, Starzyński arranged for a hall in a decommissioned boiler room at the Filtration Station Complex, located at 81 Koszykowa Street, to be made available to the sculptor. The management at the Filtration Station also provided two laborers to assist Nitschowa. The sculpture took several months to complete, likely starting in the fall of 1936 or early 1937. Nitschowa chose Krystyna Krahelska, a University of Warsaw ethnography student and cousin of Wanda Krahelska-Filipowicz, as the model for the Mermaid's head and torso. Though accepting the offer, Krahelska didn't disclose this to her friends. She posed kneeling, holding a sword, although the face of the Mermaid was not modeled after her. The connection to Krahelska was revealed post-war by Nitschowa.

First displayed at the 1st All-Polish Sculpture Salon in Warsaw in May 1937, the model stood out as the largest among 155 pieces accepted.

In 1938, the 2.75-meter-high sculpture was cast in bronze at the Łopieński Brothers' workshop on 55 Hoża Street in Warsaw. The size necessitated it to be cast in sections, then smoothed, assembled, and patinated.

The Mermaid monument was set to be installed at Wybrzeże Kościuszkowskie Street, chosen by Starzyński, his team, and Nitschowa. This site was chosen to stress its relationship with the river, in keeping with Starzyński's motto "facing the Vistula." The city bore the expense of the monument.

Erected in early April 1939, the monument's inauguration was not formally celebrated, and it was only briefly mentioned in the Warsaw media. Some aspects of the surroundings, including seagull sculptures, were left unfinished before the war and were later destroyed.

The sculpture portrays the Mermaid holding a sword and shield, with her hair tied back and eyes looking north. Her powerful form is protected by a round shield bearing an eagle with a crown and the word "Warsaw." The pedestal, designed by Stanisław Pomian-Połujan, consists of three sandstone blocks set in a basin.

Intended to honor Warsaw's coat of arms and enhance the Vistula's aesthetic, the monument remained undemolished during the German occupation. Though damaged, it was repaired in 1949 by the Łopieński Brothers' workshop. Further restorations were undertaken in 1966, including the addition of a fountain and basin.

According to the City's literature and tour guides, the mermaid's story unfolds on the banks of a serene river near the Old Town. It is said that curious fishermen once encountered mysterious disturbances in the water—waves that seemed to dance, nets that inexplicably entangled, and fish that were unexpectedly set free. Intrigued, they devised a plan to ensnare the elusive creature responsible for these occurrences.

However, fate had other plans in store. As they drew nearer, entrancing melodies filled the air, captivating the hearts of the fishermen. They were spellbound by the soul-stirring songs emanating from the ethereal being before them. Love took root within their souls, and the desire to capture her turned into an unyielding wish to set her free.

Yet, not all who witnessed the mermaid's allure were benevolent. A wealthy merchant, driven by greed and ambition, sought to seize her for himself. He cunningly trapped and imprisoned the mermaid, deaf to her anguished cries that echoed through the night.

However, the fishermen, bound by their newfound affection and loyalty, could not bear to see their enigmatic savior suffer. In a daring act of courage, they rescued her from the merchant's clutches, freeing her to roam the waters once more. Ever since that defining moment, the mermaid, armed with a valiant sword and shield, vowed to protect the city and its cherished residents from harm's way.

As stories of the Warsaw mermaid spread, other tales began to intertwine with her own. Some speak of a sisterhood between her and the renowned Little Mermaid in Copenhagen, suggesting that they parted ways after journeying from the Baltic Sea.

In another telling, it is believed that the mermaid bestowed her benevolence upon a lost prince during a hunting escapade. In his deep gratitude, the prince founded the very city in her honor, forever enshrining her legacy in the fabric of its existence.

Through the passage of time, the legends of the Warsaw mermaid continue to flourish, a testament to the enduring power of love, bravery, and the indomitable spirit of those who guard the city's heart.