Pawiak Prison in Warsaw
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Pawiak Prison was built in 1830s by Henryk Marconi on the command of the Russians. In the times of tsar, political opponents were imprisoned there. However, it gained the fame during the Nazi occupation, when it was used to imprison Poles and Jews arrested by the Germans.
During World War 2, Nazis imprisoned here around 100,000 prisoners, soldiers and activists of secret organizations, as well as scientists, writers, actors and sportsmen. Amongst prisoners were also Mayor Stefan Stazynski and conspiracy soldier Jan Bytnar, nicknamed Rudy. Usually prisoners from Pawiak were taken to concentration camps and for executions in Palmiry. During the Warsaw Uprising remaining prisoners were shot and on 21st August 1944 Pawiak was blown up. Today the ruins of Pawiak serve as a museum. In front of the ruin stands a long-dead tree, covered with obituary notices for prisoners who died there.
