The National Philharmonic in Warsaw: treasures from years gone by have been discovered

The National Philharmonic in Warsaw has found itself in the spotlight following an extraordinary discovery made in its vicinity. The Capital City’s Conservator of Monuments announced on social media that, during the redevelopment of the car park on Emil Młynarski Square, archaeologists had uncovered the cellars of a pre-war tenement block. The finds include fragments of lamps, metal ornaments, tableware and a signed piece dating from 1881. Some of these items may have once adorned the interiors of the pre-war Warsaw Philharmonic.

The National Philharmonic and the finds beneath the car park

Work at Emil Młynarski Square has led to the uncovering of the foundations and cellars of a former tenement block. It was in these rooms that parts of enormous light fittings, metal fittings, ornaments, platters and numerous pieces of cutlery were found. A bronze figurine of a horseman and fragments of two large ceramic plates bearing portraits of Sigismund III Vasa and John III Sobieski were also unearthed. According to the Capital City Conservator of Monuments, the lamps may have come from the main concert hall or the foyer of the Philharmonic. However, their exact origin requires further investigation.
photo: Warsaw City Hall

The mystery of the 1881 artefact

Archaeologists were both delighted and deeply intrigued by an object described by the conservator as a ceiling medallion depicting a man’s head in profile. It bears the signature of the sculptor Sławomir Celiński, the date 1881 and the inscription ‘Warsaw’. The work was created 20 years before the opening of the Philharmonic Hall, which is why its presence in the cellars cannot be unequivocally explained. Equally intriguing is a bent metal wreath of laurel and oak leaves. Similar items were presented to mark anniversaries and important events. The specimen found may be one of the wreaths visible in an archive photograph of the Philharmonic’s interior.

Traces of the wartime fire

Traces of a raging fire remain on the exposed walls. The conservator has confirmed that the tenement house was burnt down and suspects that the residents hid some of the items in the cellars to protect them from destruction during the uprising or the bombings. It is rather difficult to distinguish these finds from the institution’s own furnishings. The history of the building itself raises further questions. The tenement house at 7 Moniuszki Street is still visible in material from the 1960s, so it was demolished long after the war had ended. The fire itself did not, therefore, automatically mean the entire building had been destroyed. Attributing the discovered cellars to this address requires further confirmation.

Traces of the fire on the cellar walls. Photo: Warsaw City Hall
The Warsaw Philharmonic before the war

The first building on Jasna Street, erected for the Warsaw Philharmonic between 1900 and 1901, was designed by Karol Kozłowski in collaboration with Izydor Pianka. During the inaugural concert on 5 November 1901, the orchestra was conducted by Emil Młynarski, whilst Ignacy Jan Paderewski himself performed at the piano. The building was inspired by the magnificent Paris Opera House, which is why – following the example of its French counterpart – it was adorned with columns, sculptures of composers, allegorical groups and impressive roofs. The main entrance faced onto Jasna Street. Inside, visitors were dazzled by the marble staircases, balconies and the painted decorations by Henryk Siemiradzki, Jan Strzałecki and Zdzisław Jasiński. Behind the lavish décor lay facilities that were advanced for their time, such as electric lighting and central heating.

The National Philharmonic – reconstruction in a different form

The building was burnt down during German air raids as early as September 1939, and further damage was caused by bombing during the Warsaw Uprising in 1944. Some of the external walls survived the war, but during reconstruction it was decided not to restore the building to its former appearance. Eugeniusz Szparkowski and Henryk Białobrzeski designed a new building in its place, in the classicising style of Socialist Realism, with the main entrance facing Sienkiewicza Street. The opening took place on 21 February 1955, during the inauguration of the 5th Chopin Competition. It was then that the institution was given the name National Philharmonic. Reminders of the earlier building from the early 20th century include the preserved statues of Chopin and Moniuszko, erected above the entrance in 2001.

The building then and now. Source: Museum of Warsaw and Google Maps

The National Philharmonic with its music garden

These fascinating discoveries accompany the redevelopment of the block bounded by Złota, Zgoda, Jasna and Sienkiewicza streets as part of the New Centre of Warsaw. The project was designed by RS Architektura Krajobrazu, with Skanska acting as the contractor. The former car park next to the Philharmonic is to make way for a ‘music garden’ featuring greenery and a stage for outdoor events. The excavation work has enabled the examination of remains that had been hidden beneath the surface for 80 years. Archaeologists still have the second section of the car park to excavate, which may yield further marvellous discoveries. All work is being carried out under the supervision of the Capital City’s Conservator of Monuments. For the time being, it is not known where the excavated artefacts will be on display.

Source: warszawa1939.pl, filharmonia.pl, the Capital City Conservator of Monuments

The area around the Philharmonic Hall in 1935 and 2025. Photo: mapa.um.warszawa.pl