“Agaton” they called him. A name whispered with reverence. This is the statue of Captain Stanislaw Jankowski. Right here in Warsaw.
Before you stands a monument to a remarkable man. Stanislaw Jankowski was more than just a soldier. He was a cichociemny a secret soldier parachuted into occupied Poland. He fought in the Warsaw Uprising. He was also a pivotal figure in the postwar rebuilding of Warsaw. He was an architect. His designs helped shape the city you see today.
Jankowski’s life was extraordinary. He studied architecture before the war. Then he was captured by the Red Army. He escaped and made his way West. Trained as a secret soldier. He returned to Poland in 1942. He served in the Home Army’s intelligence. From August 1944 he fought in the Warsaw Uprising. He was a platoon commander. He even went through the sewers seven times. He received a promotion to Captain. He was eventually taken prisoner. While imprisoned he served as an aide to General Tadeusz Bora-Komorowski.
After the war. Jankowski went to England. He studied urban planning. He returned to Poland. He played a vital role in rebuilding Warsaw. He contributed to projects like the MDM district and the W-Z route. He helped rebuild the city from the ruins.
This wasn’t the end of his contributions. Jankowski’s expertise was sought internationally. He worked on urban development projects in Mosul Karbala and Basra in Iraq. He assisted in disaster relief efforts in Skopje Yugoslavia and Chimbote Peru. He even served as the chief urban planner in Baghdad for a time. In 1974 he coordinated a Red Cross mission in North Vietnam. He helped rebuild war-torn cities worldwide.
This statue isn’t just a commemoration. It’s a testament to a life dedicated to service and reconstruction. A man who risked everything for his country. A man whose architectural vision helped shape the modern Warsaw. A symbol of resilience hope and unwavering dedication to Poland.
Look closely at the statue. Agaton’s posture is powerful. He is depicted emerging from a sloped wall. This symbolizes his emergence from the hardships he endured and his pivotal role in rebuilding Warsaw. The sculptor Professor Antoni Janusz Pastwa captured Agaton’s spirit perfectly. A fitting tribute to an exceptional individual. This statue should remind us all of the sacrifices made for our freedom and the individuals whose vision helped rebuild our cities. This is Stanislaw Jankowski Agaton. Remember his name. Remember his story.