Perhaps it is the quiet whisper of history that clings to Jaszczurcza. It is a place where echoes of Warsaw’s past resonate.
Jaszczurcza stands as a silent witness to the city’s tumultuous journey. It is a reminder of resilience amid adversity.
Before World War II Polish Jews lived in Muranów Powązki and Stara Praga. The Jewish community constituted over 88% of the inhabitants of Muranów. This amounted to about 32.7% of the population of left-bank Warsaw. That is 14.9% of right-bank Warsaw. In total there were 332938 people according to the 1931 census.
The Siege of Warsaw continued until September 29 1939. On September 10 alone the Luftwaffe conducted 17 bombing raids. Three days later 50 German planes attacked the city center. They specifically targeted Wola and Żoliborz. In total some 30000 people were killed. 10 percent of the city was destroyed.
By the end of the September campaign the number of Jews increased dramatically. Thousands of refugees escaped the Polish-German front. In less than a year the number of refugees exceeded 90000.
On October 12 1939 the General Government was established by Adolf Hitler. The Nazi-appointed Jewish Council in Warsaw was led by Adam Czerniaków. It was responsible for carrying out German orders. On October 26 Jews were mobilized as forced laborers. They cleared bomb damage and performed other hard labor.
One month later the bank accounts of Polish Jews were blocked. This applied to any deposits exceeding 2000 zł. On November 23 all Jewish establishments were ordered to display a Jewish star. It had to be on doors and windows. Beginning December 1 all Jews older than ten were compelled to wear a white armband. On December 11 they were forbidden from using public transit.
On January 26 1940 the Jews were banned from holding communal prayers. This was due to the risk of spreading epidemics. Food stamps were introduced. Measures were stepped up to liquidate all Jewish communities near Warsaw. The Jewish population reached 359827 before the end of the year.
On the orders of Warsaw District Governor Ludwig Fischer ghetto wall construction started on April 1 1940. It circled the area inhabited predominantly by Jews. The work was supervised by the Warsaw Judenrat. Nazi authorities expelled 113000 ethnic Poles. They ordered the relocation of 138000 Warsaw Jews into the city center.
On October 16 1940 the creation of the ghetto was announced by German governor Hans Frank. The initial population was 450000 confined to an area of 307 hectares. Before the Holocaust the number of Jews imprisoned was between 375000 and 400000. This was about 30% of the general population. The ghetto constituted only about 2.4% of the metropolitan area.
The Germans closed the Warsaw Ghetto on November 15 1940. The wall was 3 m high and topped with barbed wire. Escapees were shot. The borders changed and the overall area was gradually reduced. The captive population was decreased by infectious diseases mass hunger and executions.
The ghetto was divided along Chłodna Street. It was excluded because of its local importance. The area south-east was known as the Small Ghetto. The area north was known as the Large Ghetto. The two zones connected at Chłodna with Żelazna Street. A wooden footbridge was built over it in January 1942.
The memories of the Warsaw Ghetto linger here near Jaszczurcza. They are a testament to the strength of the human spirit. They highlight its ability to endure even in the darkest of times.
Jaszczurcza stands as a place where the past is not forgotten. It is a place where the stories of Warsaw are kept alive. They serve as a reminder of the importance of remembrance and the enduring power of hope.