Pomnik ks. Ignacego Skorupki Statue

Raised high above us, the Pomnik ks. Ignacego Skorupki tells a powerful story. This nine-meter-tall monument, a bronze statue atop a granite pedestal, commemorates a pivotal moment in Polish history. The Pomnik ks. Ignacego Skorupki stands proudly before the Warsaw-Praga Cathedral. It depicts Father Ignacy Skorupka, chaplain of the 236th Volunteer Regiment of the Academic Legion. He was a key figure in the 1920 Battle of Warsaw, also known as the Miracle on the Vistula. Father Skorupka, born in Warsaw in 1893, served as chaplain for the Praga Garrison of the Polish Army. The inscription on the monument details his life and service. It notes his role as chaplain to the 1st Battalion of the 236th Infantry Regiment of the Volunteer Army. It marks his death on August 14, 1920, while fighting against the Bolsheviks near Ossów. The statue captures him holding a cross in his left hand while pointing with his right, leading the charge. This four-meter-tall figure embodies the priest’s courage and dedication. The Pomnik ks. Ignacego Skorupki was unveiled on August 13, 2005. It was a gift from the Warsaw-Praga Diocese to mark the 85th anniversary of the Miracle on the Vistula. The unveiling ceremony was performed by scouts from the Praga district. Cardinal Józef Glemp, then Primate of Poland, led the ceremony. Notable attendees included Ryszard Kaczorowski, the last President of Poland in exile, and Lech Kaczyński, then Mayor of Warsaw. The monument’s creation was a long time coming. A pedestal was even built before World War II with the intention of erecting a monument to Father Skorupka. Ironically, after the war, this same pedestal was used for the Monument to Polish-Soviet Brotherhood in Arms in Wileński Square. The Pomnik ks. Ignacego Skorupka serves as a poignant reminder of a pivotal moment in Polish history and the priest who played a key role. His bravery and sacrifice continue to inspire, solidifying his place as a national hero.