Letnisko Bajka

What kind of a house gets painted pistachio? That’s what many whispered in the 1930s upon seeing Letnisko Bajka. This whimsical villa, nestled in Warsaw’s Wawer district, is not your typical Polish home. Its glass veranda stretching the building’s length, irregular brickwork, and that audacious pistachio paint job make it truly unique. Letnisko Bajka was built in 1930 for Henryk Kowalski, a director of telecommunications. Kowalski, having studied in St. Petersburg, drew inspiration from the opulent suburban homes of Russia’s elite. Imagine elegant soirees hosted here, buzzing with intellectuals and artists, as gramophones played the latest jazz hits. But Letnisko Bajka holds stories whispered in hushed tones, too. Janina, Kowalski’s wife, was a trailblazing botanist in an era when women rarely pursued higher education. She was a passionate member of the Polish Socialist Party and even served in Piłsudski’s Legions during WWI. Tragically, the couple’s two daughters, both active in the resistance, perished during the Warsaw Uprising. After Kowalski’s death in 1954, Janina remained, a solitary figure tending her garden. She continued to work at the Plant Protection Station until her death in 1977. Letnisko Bajka, once a beacon of joy and intellectual vibrancy, fell into disrepair. Thankfully, in 2015, new owners breathed life back into the villa, restoring its former glory. Today, Letnisko Bajka stands as a testament to a family’s enduring spirit, a silent witness to Warsaw’s tumultuous past, and an architectural gem that continues to captivate visitors.