Bródno Cemetery
Encyclopedia
Bródno Cemetery is an old cemetery in the Targówek
district, in the eastern part of Warsaw
, Poland
. Occupying an area of 114 hectares (281.7 acre), it is the largest cemetery in Warsaw. With more than 1.2 million burials, it is one of the largest cemeteries in Europe.
ordered land to be bought at Bródno
in 1883. On 20 November 1884 the cemetery was consecrated by Archbishop of Warsaw, Wincenty Teofil Popiel. The cemetery was opened also to the citizens of the left-bank Warsaw in January 1885. The cemetery has been completely opened on 14 June 1887. The Bródno Cemetery served as a burial place mostly for the poor strata of Warsaw society. This was in contrast with the Old Powązki Cemetery, which had a reputation of cemetery for rich.
The cemetery has been expanded on several occasions, most recently in 1934, when it was enlarged to its present extent of 114 hectares. In the interwar period, the cemetery ceased to be the burial place only for poor, as people from higher social strata began to bury their relatives. The northeastern part of the cemetery was designated for people of other religions and without religion. During World War II the cemetery was used as an arsenal by various Polish resistance
organizations, and as a hiding place by those on the run from the Gestapo
.
wood, and is a simple one-nave building. The wood used for the construction was previously used as a scaffolding
at the restoration of the Zygmunt's Column
. Until 1952, the small church was merely a cemetery chapel. In 1952, however a new parish was established at Bródno, meaning a larger church was needed. In the late 1950s, the new church, designed by Stanisław Marzyński, was being constructed at the cemetery. The new church building bearing the name of Our Lady of Częstochowa was consecrated on 24 August 1960 by bishop Wacław Majewski. The new building was gradually expanded in the early 1980s and was again ceremonially consecrated by Primate of Poland Józef Glemp on 22 September 1984.
, archbishop Aleksander Kakowski, singer Mieczysław Fogg, footballer Edmund Zientara
, boxer Antoni Kolczyński
and politician Paweł Wypych
.
Targówek
Targówek is a district in Warsaw, Poland located in the northern part of the city.It is divided into two parts: residential and industrial. About 30% of the district's area is covered by municipal parks, such as Lasek Bródnowski, Park Bródnowski and Park Wiecha in the eastern part of the district...
district, in the eastern part of Warsaw
Warsaw
Warsaw is the capital and largest city of Poland. It is located on the Vistula River, roughly from the Baltic Sea and from the Carpathian Mountains. Its population in 2010 was estimated at 1,716,855 residents with a greater metropolitan area of 2,631,902 residents, making Warsaw the 10th most...
, Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
. Occupying an area of 114 hectares (281.7 acre), it is the largest cemetery in Warsaw. With more than 1.2 million burials, it is one of the largest cemeteries in Europe.
History
At the end of the 19th century Warsaw's population was growing rapidly, and the available cemeteries were unable to cope with the demand. As a result, President of Warsaw Sokrates StarynkiewiczSokrates Starynkiewicz
Sokrates Starynkiewicz was a Russian general and the 19th President of Warsaw between 1875 and 1892. During his presidency he ordered the construction of municipal water works as well as the tramway and telephone network in Warsaw.-Biography:...
ordered land to be bought at Bródno
Bródno
Bródno is a neighbourhood in the Warsaw's borough of Targówek, located on the eastern side of the Vistula river. It is inhabited by approximately 100 thousand people. Among the most notable landmarks are the Bródno Park and the Bródno cemetery, the largest cemetery in Warsaw and one of the largest...
in 1883. On 20 November 1884 the cemetery was consecrated by Archbishop of Warsaw, Wincenty Teofil Popiel. The cemetery was opened also to the citizens of the left-bank Warsaw in January 1885. The cemetery has been completely opened on 14 June 1887. The Bródno Cemetery served as a burial place mostly for the poor strata of Warsaw society. This was in contrast with the Old Powązki Cemetery, which had a reputation of cemetery for rich.
The cemetery has been expanded on several occasions, most recently in 1934, when it was enlarged to its present extent of 114 hectares. In the interwar period, the cemetery ceased to be the burial place only for poor, as people from higher social strata began to bury their relatives. The northeastern part of the cemetery was designated for people of other religions and without religion. During World War II the cemetery was used as an arsenal by various Polish resistance
Polish resistance movement in World War II
The Polish resistance movement in World War II, with the Home Army at its forefront, was the largest underground resistance in all of Nazi-occupied Europe, covering both German and Soviet zones of occupation. The Polish defence against the Nazi occupation was an important part of the European...
organizations, and as a hiding place by those on the run from the Gestapo
Gestapo
The Gestapo was the official secret police of Nazi Germany. Beginning on 20 April 1934, it was under the administration of the SS leader Heinrich Himmler in his position as Chief of German Police...
.
Church
As early as in 1887, city authorities planned to built a chapel at the cemetery. Soon, a small wooden church was constructed, and consecrated on 28 October 1888 as the Saint Vincent de Paul Church, bearing the name of the patron of poor. The church, designed by architect Edward Cichocki, was built from pinePine
Pines are trees in the genus Pinus ,in the family Pinaceae. They make up the monotypic subfamily Pinoideae. There are about 115 species of pine, although different authorities accept between 105 and 125 species.-Etymology:...
wood, and is a simple one-nave building. The wood used for the construction was previously used as a scaffolding
Scaffolding
Scaffolding is a temporary structure used to support people and material in the construction or repair of buildings and other large structures. It is usually a modular system of metal pipes or tubes, although it can be from other materials...
at the restoration of the Zygmunt's Column
Zygmunt's Column
Sigismund's Column , erected in 1644, is located in Castle Square, Warsaw, Poland. It is one of Warsaw's most famous landmarks and one of the oldest secular monuments in northern Europe...
. Until 1952, the small church was merely a cemetery chapel. In 1952, however a new parish was established at Bródno, meaning a larger church was needed. In the late 1950s, the new church, designed by Stanisław Marzyński, was being constructed at the cemetery. The new church building bearing the name of Our Lady of Częstochowa was consecrated on 24 August 1960 by bishop Wacław Majewski. The new building was gradually expanded in the early 1980s and was again ceremonially consecrated by Primate of Poland Józef Glemp on 22 September 1984.
Burials
The famous people buried at Bródno Cemetery include politician and statesman Roman DmowskiRoman Dmowski
Roman Stanisław Dmowski was a Polish politician, statesman, and chief ideologue and co-founder of the National Democracy political movement, which was one of the strongest political camps of interwar Poland.Though a controversial personality throughout his life, Dmowski was instrumental in...
, archbishop Aleksander Kakowski, singer Mieczysław Fogg, footballer Edmund Zientara
Edmund Zientara
Edmund Jan Zientara was a Polish football player and manager. As a player, Zientara played as a midfielder at both professional and international levels, and participated at the 1960 Summer Olympics, before becoming a football manager.-Early life:Zientara was born on 25 January 1929 in Warsaw...
, boxer Antoni Kolczyński
Antoni Kolczynski
Antoni ‘’Kolka’’ Kolczyński was a Polish boxer, champion of Europe and participant in the Olympic Games....
and politician Paweł Wypych
Paweł Wypych
Paweł Wypych was a Polish politician, former Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Insurance president, and from 2009 the Secretary of State in the Chancellery of the President of Poland.Wypych was born in Otwock...
.