Imagine a time when Zacisze was just a quiet retreat. It was a place of country estates for wealthy Varsovians. Today, we explore the story of Zacisze. This charming area evolved from rural farmlands to a vibrant Warsaw neighborhood.
In the 1820s, the area near today’s school number 84 saw the creation of the Guminski villa colony. This colony transformed after 1870. It became a summer retreat for wealthier Warsaw residents. The land was once quite marshy. Reclamation began with the digging of the Brodnowski Canal. This canal repurposed the Brodnia stream before the mid-19th century.
Around the same time, the Zacisze farm was established. Zygmunt Jorski owned it until 1945. Jorski eventually bought most of the land from his neighbors. These neighbors included the Elsner family of composer Jozef Elsner. Also, the Lewin family and others sold their land.
After 1883, the Russians built two brick and earth forts. These were part of Warsaw Fortress’ outer defenses. They were named Lewicpol and Lewinow. However, these forts were dismantled before 1915.
In 1899, a horse-drawn railway started along the Bialystok road. Later, a narrow-gauge railway connected Praga to Marki and Radzymin. The train station was located opposite the house of culture.
After 1910, Jorski began dividing and selling his land. He offered low prices to new residents. These included working-class people and artisans. Houses clustered near the elevated road. Most structures were wooden and single-story. Before 1939, Zacisze had Skalska’s restaurant. It also had Gepner’s bone processing plant. There was also an ink factory, a smithy, the Red Inn, and a school. The school operated in rented rooms in various houses. The “Dzialka” socio-patriotic organization was active. So was a volunteer fire brigade. Zacisze had only three paved roads. These were Fortowka Street, the road to Zabki, Lewinowska Street, and Pilsudski Avenue. In the 1930s, part of Zacisze developed beyond the Brodnowski Canal. This was along Jorski Street, known as Targowek Osiedle.
Jorski’s manor stood at the intersection of Bratka, Protazego, and Blokowa streets. The so-called Black Road led to it. This road started from the Marki railway stop. A section of it still exists today.
On September 22, 1939, German General Werner von Fritsch died on Lodygowa Street. The Germans erected a memorial stone at the site of his death.
During the German occupation, two labor camps were established in Zacisze. These camps were for Poles and Jewish people.
After 1951, Zacisze became part of Warsaw. This integration led to a large influx of new residents. Streets expanded, and existing street names changed. New stores, a clinic, the Pelikan cinema, and a park appeared. Also, playgrounds and Społem stores were built. Bus lines extended into Zacisze. Residents worked together to bring electricity, gas, and water to the area. A school was constructed on Generalska Street. The Church of the Holy Family was built. It started as wooden in 1949 and became brick in 1956. A House of Culture opened with a theater, a library, and a café. In the 1970s, four housing estates were built. After 1950, the Brodnowski Forest was planted. It became a popular spot for locals.
After 1990, several low-rise apartment blocks were built. In September 2022, the Zacisze metro station opened on Figara Street.
Interestingly, a map of Zacisze appeared in Grzegorz Turnau’s “Cichosza” music video from 1993.
Stefan Roguski described Zacisze life in his humorous book, “Opowieści wuja z Zacisza.” The book covers the interwar period, World War II, and the early post-war years.
Today, Zacisze blends its historical roots with modern life. It offers a unique glimpse into Warsaw’s evolving story.