Chopin Monument, Warsaw

The Frédéric Chopin Monument in Warsaw is a prominent bronze statue of the renowned composer Frédéric Chopin (1810–1849). It currently stands in the upper section of Warsaw's Royal Baths Park, also known as Łazienki Park. This statue, designed by Wacław Szymanowski in 1907 to commemorate Chopin's 1810 birth centennial, faced delays due to design debates and World War I, finally being installed in 1926.

Sadly, the statue was destroyed on May 31, 1940, during World War II, following an order by Governor-General Hans Frank. This act marked the first instance of the occupying German forces destroying a monument in Warsaw. Local legend has it that the day after the destruction, a handwritten sign was found at the site with the message: "I don’t know who destroyed me, but I know why: so that I won’t play the funeral march for your leader."

Following the war's conclusion, efforts were made to reconstruct the monument. Architect Oskar Sosnowski designed the pedestal and basin, using red Wąchock sandstone. An inscription on the pedestal commemorates the statue's restoration, stating: "The Statue of Fryderyk Chopin, destroyed and plundered by the Germans on 31 May 1940, rebuilt by the Nation. 17 October 1946."

Fortunately, the original mold for the statue, which had survived the war, allowed for the creation of a replica. This replica was placed at the original location in 1958. Since 1959, piano recitals featuring Chopin's compositions have been performed free of charge at the statue's base on summer Sunday afternoons.

The statue's design includes a stylized willow over Chopin's seated figure, resembling a pianist's hand and fingers, as well as the head of the Polish eagle on the right end.

Tip:
Catch the free Sunday concerts at the Łazienki Park where the monument is situated, at noon and 4pm during the summer months (May-Sep 15). Beautiful backdrop for a concert!
The tribute to the music of Chopin also includes melodies that play when you sit down on one of the benches surrounding the water.