Obelisk Poległym Za Ojczyznę War memorial

“Seven fallen heroes, guarded by eight lions and four birds.” This saying, though grammatically questionable, perfectly captures the sentiment of Warsaw residents towards a monument erected by Tsarist authorities on Saxon Square. The Obelisk Poległym Za Ojczyznę War memorial stands as a testament to a turbulent period in Polish history. It commemorates seven Polish officers killed during the November Uprising of 1830. The uprising, though fueled by patriotic fervor, was poorly planned and lacked clear leadership. On the night of November 29th, a group of young cadets, driven by desperation, killed seven Polish officers who refused to support the rebellion. These officers, seen as loyal to the Tsar, were met with a tragic end. The Obelisk, designed by renowned architect Antonio Corazzi, was unveiled on November 29th, 1841, exactly ten years after the officers’ deaths. Towering over 30 meters high, the granite obelisk was adorned with eight bronze lions and four double-headed Tsarist eagles. Atop the obelisk stood four gilded laurel wreaths. The inscription on the monument honored the fallen officers. However, the people of Warsaw, never forgetting the officers’ perceived betrayal, scornfully referred to it as the “monument of traitors” or the “monument of shame.” This sentiment ultimately led to its relocation to Green Square in the 1890s. The Obelisk Poległym Za Ojczyznę War memorial serves as a reminder of a complex and painful chapter in Poland’s fight for independence. The story of its construction and eventual removal encapsulates the volatile relationship between Poland and its Tsarist rulers during the 19th century.