The next phase of preparations for the reconstruction of the western frontage of Piłsudski Square in Warsaw has begun. Archaeologists have recently begun work on the site where the magnificent Brühl Palace stood until the winter of 1944. Their aim is to examine the remains of the historic building and recover artefacts from the past. The ongoing work is among the first such large-scale excavations carried out at this site since the end of the Second World War.
Brühl Palace – the first discoveries
The first finds were unearthed right at the start of the work, which involves surveying the site and clearing it by a sapper, as well as removing tree stumps. The topsoil concealed fragments of the palace’s stonework, including decorative details and elements of the building’s ornamentation. Among the items unearthed were also glass bottles from various periods, a typewriter, a military canteen and a Mauser rifle bolt. Archaeologists are awaiting more spectacular treasures as the actual site investigations begin. These are due to start next week.
The scope and methods of the archaeologists’ work at Piłsudski Square
The investigation of the area where historic buildings once stood is being carried out in stages. Once the topsoil has been cleared and removed, the archaeologists’ real work begins. Deeper sections are examined by hand to minimise the risk of damage to buried objects and building fragments. The work at Piłsudski Square is being carried out by a consortium comprising the Association of Archaeologists, the State Archaeological Museum in Warsaw and the company Jardźwig. The investigations will continue until autumn 2026, whilst work in Beck’s Garden will continue into the next season. The total area designated for exploration corresponds to almost one hectare of the city’s former built-up area.
photo: Tomasz Tołłoczko/Saski Palace
Brühl Palace – history and destruction
Brühl Palace was built in the 17th century as the magnate residence of Jerzy Ossoliński, and was rebuilt in the 18th century for Heinrich von Brühl. In the 1930s, it was converted into the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Second Polish Republic, with a modernist wing added to the design by Bohdan Pniewski. The palace was characterised by magnificent decorations, sculptures and stone ornamentation. It survived the Second World War in fairly good condition, but in December 1944 it was blown up by German troops. The rubble was later cleared away, and for decades the site remained a green square adjacent to the Saxon Garden.
Reconstruction of the frontage of Piłsudski Square in Warsaw
The reconstruction of the entire destroyed frontage is being carried out under the 2021 Act. The design to restore a fragment of Warsaw’s lost architecture was prepared by the WXCA studio, which won the 2023 competition. The cost of the project is estimated at around 2.5 billion zlotys, with completion expected around 2030. The buildings will house public institutions, including the Senate of the Republic of Poland and the Mazovian Provincial Office. The archaeological research currently underway is an invaluable source of knowledge. It will provide data helpful in reconstructing the façades of individual buildings, including details regarding scale, materials, colours, techniques, etc. Funding for the project has been spread over approximately 10 years.
Source: palacsaski.pl
Photos: Tomasz Tołłoczko/Saski Palace
See also:Monument|Palace|History|Warsaw|Interesting facts