“A Scottish officer in Polish service?” a curious voice rings out. “Right here in Mirów?” We stand in the heart of Warsaw, in the bustling district of Wola, a place named after a surprising figure. Mirów, a central neighborhood, takes its name from William Mier, a Scottish officer who served in the Polish army. He commanded the Horse Guard of the Polish Crown Regiment. Their barracks and stables, completed in 1732, were located right here in what would become known as Mirów. The area itself has a rich history, predating Mier’s presence. Originally a self-governing town called Wielopole, it existed just outside Warsaw’s city limits. By the 18th century, Wielopole lost its independence and was absorbed into Warsaw. Mirów transformed over the centuries. From a primarily working-class industrial suburb in the 19th and early 20th centuries, it evolved into a residential area with large houses and tenements, reminiscent of other major European capitals. Tragically, much of Mirów was destroyed during World War II. Following the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising and the Warsaw Uprising, the Germans razed the area. Instead of rebuilding the pre-war structures, a large residential estate comprised of socialist-realist buildings was constructed. These new constructions were aimed at addressing the severe housing shortages faced by new residents arriving from other parts of Poland. Amid the post-war transformation, vestiges of the past remained. At Plac Żelaznej Bramy, on the eastern edge of Mirów, the two Mirów Marketplace Halls survived, albeit partially damaged. They were later renovated and now serve commercial purposes. Today, Mirów stands as a testament to its layered past. It is now a vibrant commercial hub dominated by office buildings and skyscrapers. Yet, beneath the modern facade lie echoes of a Scottish officer, a working-class suburb, and a neighborhood tragically scarred by war, and now reborn.
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to