1 Żytnia Street - Wola District

         August 2, 2023 marked the unveiling of a large-format patriotic mural entitled "Michla's Palace, Żytnia, Wola", painted on the wall of the Parish House of St. Sister Faustina's Sanctuary located at 1 Żytnia Street in Warsaw.
         The name of the mural refers to a famous insurgent song bearing the same name.
         The mural depicts the soldiers of the "Parasol" ("Umbrella") battalion of the Home Army "Radosław" group: Master Corporal Officer Cadet Józef Szczepański aka "Ziutek", the author of the song, and Sergeant Officer Cadet Janusz Brochwicz-Lewiński aka "Gryf" ("Griffin"), the commander of the assault team of the 4th platoon of the 1st company of the "Parasol" battalion.

         On the evening of August 2, 1944, the soldiers commanded by "Gryf" took part in a holy mass organized in this sanctuary, after which they left to continue fighting in the Warsaw Uprising.
         An essential element of the mural is the reproduction of the Merciful Lord Jesus picture - a gift for "Gryf" from his mother when he set out for war in September 1939.
         The mural is equipped with a memory plate with information about the importance of this place.

         The plate reads as follows:

         In this place on the second day of the Warsaw Uprising - August 2, 1944 - the soldiers of the assault group of the 4th platoon of the 1st company of the Home Army "Parasol" battalion commanded by Sergeant Officer Cadet Janusz Brochwicz-Lewiński aka "Gryf" reported to take part in a holy mass, and from here they set out to continue fighting.
         The mural commemorates the defense of Michla's townhouse, the so-called Michla's Palace, that can be seen in the central part of the wall, the commander of the defense, Sergeant Officer Cadet Janusz Brochwicz-Lewiński aka "Gryf", and Master Corporal Officer Cadet Józef Szczepański aka "Ziutek", the author of the famous song "Michla's Palace, Żytnia, Wola". There is also a picture of the Merciful Lord Jesus, which Gryf received from his mother when he set out for war in September 1939. He believed that it was the Lord that saved his life.
         Today, Mihla's Palace no longer exists. It was situated close to this place - at 40 Wolska Street. Currently, a memory obelisk is located there. The symbol of the "Parasol" ("Umbrella") refers to the colors of the ribbon of the highest military decoration in Poland - the War Order of Virtuti Militari. The Silver Cross was bestowed on the Scouting battalion of the Home Army in recognition of acts of highest heroism in the Second World War. Today, the traditions of the Home Army "Parasol" battalion are upheld by the soldiers of the Special Forces unit from Lubliniec - Squadron C. With the consent of the "Parasol" veterans who were still alive at that time, a stripe similar to the one reproduced on the mural appeared for the first time on uniforms of Squadron C in 2010 during the 7th rotation of the Polish Military Contingent in Afghanistan and is borne to this day.
         "Gryf" told us about his and his comrade in arms' fight for the freedom of Poland, which they never gave up and with which they have entrusted us. Our freedom was redeemed by the great sacrifice of that Generation. Now it is our time to take responsibility for it. The call "Guard Poland!" applies to each of us.

compiled by: Maciej Janaszek-Seydlitz


pictures taken by: Maciej Janaszek-Seydlitz


translated by: Beata Murzyn