Gabriel Narutowicz Square in Warsaw
Designed in the form of a semi-circle, the square's straight side adjoins Grójecka Street, a major thoroughfare of the borough of Ochota. It is a place where six streets converge. Akademicka Street, which lines the eastern side of the square, is its integral part.
The beginning
Delineated in 1923, the square was officially named in January 1923 after the first President of the Republic of Poland Gabriel Narutowicz, assassinated in December 1923.
Originally planned as a market place, the square gave an impulse to the expansion of the borough and became a residential centre. The Neo-Romanesque Church the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, construction of which started in 1911, is the central structure of the square.
In 1925–1930, the eastern side of the square received an imposing complex of the Academic House. A number of co-operative housing buildings were erected in this section of the city in the 1920s and 1930s, most of which survived World War II. In 1930, a tram terminal was built in Narutowicz Square.
In 1925–1930, the eastern side of the square received an imposing complex of the Academic House. A number of co-operative housing buildings were erected in this section of the city in the 1920s and 1930s, most of which survived World War II. In 1930, a tram terminal was built in Narutowicz Square.
World War II
On 31 July 1944, in the headquarters of his staff in the revenue house of the Postal Savings Bank, Antoni Chruściel, nom de guerre "Monter", signed the order to start the Warsaw Rising the following day.
On 1 August 1944, the insurgents attempted to capture the Academic House complex, but were repulsed. Later on, the Germans set fire to most of the buildings in the area, including the church, whose copper roof and the interior burned down.
On 1 August 1944, the insurgents attempted to capture the Academic House complex, but were repulsed. Later on, the Germans set fire to most of the buildings in the area, including the church, whose copper roof and the interior burned down.
Location
Post-war period
On 3 October 1957, the square was the scene of student protests against closing down of the "Po prostu" weekly - 50 people were injured in clashes with the Citizens' Militia (Poland's police organisation in the communist era).
In the 1960s, following modernisation of Grójecka Street, the square received a new street lane on its eastern side and a new layout of the tram tracks and terminal. In December 2002, the monument to Gabriel Narutowicz was unveiled in the eastern section of the square.
In 2016, the architectural layout of the square and the adjacent area bordered by Kaliska Street, Mochnacki Street, Filtrowa Street and Słupecka Street were entered into the register of monuments. However, that decision was repealed in February 2017 by the General Conservator of Historical Sites, but the square was re-entered into the register of monuments in March 2017.
The square is scheduled for redevelopment in 2018, including liquidation of the five-track tram terminal.
In the 1960s, following modernisation of Grójecka Street, the square received a new street lane on its eastern side and a new layout of the tram tracks and terminal. In December 2002, the monument to Gabriel Narutowicz was unveiled in the eastern section of the square.
In 2016, the architectural layout of the square and the adjacent area bordered by Kaliska Street, Mochnacki Street, Filtrowa Street and Słupecka Street were entered into the register of monuments. However, that decision was repealed in February 2017 by the General Conservator of Historical Sites, but the square was re-entered into the register of monuments in March 2017.
The square is scheduled for redevelopment in 2018, including liquidation of the five-track tram terminal.
Source
https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plac_Gabriela_Narutowicza_w_Warszawie