Look closely at this bronze figure. This is the Ratowniś Sculpture a remarkable piece of Warsaw’s history. It depicts the Warsaw Mermaid Syrenka Warszawska the city’s symbol. This isn’t just any mermaid. This particular sculpture has a fascinating story a tale of survival resilience and remarkable journeys across Warsaw.
The original Ratowniś was created in 1855. Konstanty Hegel a professor at the School of Fine Arts sculpted it. Karol Juliusz Minter’s factory cast it in tin a cheaper but softer metal than bronze. This decision would have unforeseen consequences for the sculpture’s long life. The nearly two-meter-tall mermaid a youthful figure with a sword and shield stood proudly in the Old Town Market Square. She stood amidst the bustling marketplace for years.
But the Ratowniś’s life wasn’t easy. The soft tin made it vulnerable to damage. Over the years the mermaid was moved multiple times. The fountain she graced was replaced in 1914. In 1928 the sculpture ended up in a municipal storehouse. Later it found a temporary home in front of a sports club. Incredibly it survived World War II though it was significantly damaged.
After the war the Ratowniś sculpture was repaired. The Opieński Brothers’ bronze factory restored its damaged sword hand and shield. They plugged over fifty bullet and shrapnel holes. The sculpture was then installed in what’s now Rydz-Śmigły Park. Sadly more damage followed.
The Ratowniś underwent further renovation. This time in the Decorative Bronze workshop. This workshop inherited the properties of the nationalized Opieński Brothers’ factory. Finally the mermaid was moved to the Old Town fortifications. Even there the vandalism continued. To protect the priceless artifact the city authorities made a decision.
In 1999 the Ratowniś returned to the Old Town Market Square. Repeated vandalism forced a drastic measure. A copy replaced the original. The original battered but still beautiful Ratowniś Sculpture entered the collection of the Museum of Warsaw in 2008. Today a copy stands in its place. But the original’s story of survival is a testament to the resilience of Warsaw itself and the enduring power of its symbol. This bronze figure a silent witness to centuries of history stands as a symbol of hope and enduring spirit.