Monument to Tadeusz Kościuszko

On plac Wolności in Łódź, in the heart of the city, stands the Monument to Tadeusz Kościuszko. This monumental composition from 1930 was demolished and rebuilt twice during its history, making it one of the symbols of post-war reconstruction of Łódź's urban identity.

First unveiling

The monument was unveiled on 14 December 1930. The design was created by engineer and sculptor Mieczysław Lubelski. The composition depicts Kościuszko standing and leaning against the so-called Tree of Justice, holding a rolled document, and at his feet lie a suit of armour and a cannon, alluding to the hero's military service.

Dimensions and decoration of the plinth

The entire structure measures 17 metres in height: the figure itself is 4 metres, and it stands on a 13-metre plinth. The octagonal plinth is adorned with four bronze reliefs depicting important moments from Kościuszko's life: the oath on Kraków market square, a meeting with George Washington, a scene with Bartosz Głowacki, and the signing of the Połaniec universal.

Destruction during the war

The Germans began demolishing the monument on 11 November 1939. The demolition lasted a week and involved cutting, explosives and manual labour. After the original was destroyed, the occupiers erected an obelisk with a swastika in its place.

Reconstruction

In 1946 a competition was organised for the reconstruction of the monument, but work did not begin until 1956, following the Poznań June uprising. The original creator, Mieczysław Lubelski, who was then residing in Great Britain, recreated his work with the help of local sculptors. The reconstructed monument was unveiled again on 21 July 1960 and stands in this form on the square to this day.

Surroundings of plac Wolności

The monument is one of the landmarks of plac Wolności, where the main routes of Łódź's past and present city centre intersect. Nearby is the Muzeum Kanału "Dętka", and a little further along ulica Piotrkowska stand the pałac Poznańskich and the kamienica rodziny Scheiblerów.

Practical information

• Address: plac Wolności, Łódź, Śródmieście district
• Getting there: trams and buses stopping at plac Wolności, near the beginning of ulica Piotrkowska
• What to expect: monument viewed from the square, accessible without restrictions throughout the year