Can you hear the echoes of ancient legends swirling around the Niedźwiedź Sculpture? It is a place where myth meets metal. The Niedźwiedź Sculpture is no ordinary artwork. It embodies Warsaw’s spirit.
Today we explore the story of the Warsaw Mermaid. She is a symbol of Warsaw, adorning the city’s coat of arms and inspiring numerous statues. The Polish name for mermaid is Syrenka. It is related to “siren”. She is more accurately a freshwater mermaid. She is also known as melusina.
Legends say that the Warsaw Mermaid decided to stay near the Old Town riverbank. Fishermen noticed her creating waves and tangling their nets. They planned to trap her. But they fell in love with her singing. A rich merchant imprisoned her. The fishermen rescued her upon hearing her cries. Armed with a sword and shield, she protects the city and its residents.
The first image of a mermaid dates back to 1622. It likely drew inspiration from the 2nd-century book Physiologus.
The mermaid statue in the Old Town Market Place was designed by Konstanty Hegel. It has moved several times. The original from 1855 stood in the marketplace until 1928. It returned in 2000. In 2008, the original sculpture made of bronzed zinc was removed for repairs. Vandalism and mechanical damage had taken their toll. The repaired original now resides in the Museum of Warsaw. A copy by Jacek Guzera stands in its place.
Another notable statue is in Powiśle. Ludwika Nitschowa created this gunmetal statue. Poet Krystyna Krahelska posed for it. The original plan was a 20-meter glass sculpture on a Vistula pillar. Financial constraints led to a smaller sculpture. It was to be surrounded by fish and seagulls in a fountain. Remarkably, this monument survived World War II mostly unscathed.
Jan Woydyga sculpted a mermaid on the Markiewicz viaduct on Karowa Street in 1905. Alexander Żurakowski designed a mermaid for the Sejm in 1947. It is engraved on an eagle statue’s shield in the main meeting hall. A mermaid also graces the entrance of the former tram depot on Inżynierska Street. Wojciech Czerwosz created a bas-relief on Katowicka Street. Jerzy Chojnacki made a mermaid for the Praga-Południe district office. The Palace of Culture and Science features the Warsaw mermaid on each clock face.
The mermaid embodies Warsaw’s resilience and spirit. She is a protector and a symbol of hope. As you gaze upon the Niedźwiedź Sculpture remember the legends. Remember the Warsaw Mermaid. Her spirit lives on in every corner of this remarkable city.