Building of the Military Geographical Institute

The Building of the Military Geographical Institute () is a modernist and neoclassical building in Warsaw, Poland, at 97 Jerusalem Avenue, within the Ochota district. Opened in 1934, it served as the headquarters of the Military Geographical Institute until 1949. The building is listed on the national heritage list.

History The building was designed by Antoni Dygat, and constructed between 1933 and 1934, as the headquarters of the Military Geographical Institute.Juliusz A. Chrościcki, Andrzej Rottermund: Atlas architektury Warszawy. Warsaw: Wydawnictwo Arkady, 1977, p. 69. (in Polish)Encyklopedia Warszawy. Warsaw: Wydawnictwo Naukowe PWN, 1994, p. 971. ISBN 83-01-08836-2. (in Polish)

In 2000, on its façade was installed a commemorative plaque dedicated to the officers and employees of the institute who were killed during the Second World War.Stanisław Ciepłowski: Wpisane w kamień i spiż. Inskrypcje pamiątkowe w Warszawie XVII–XX w. Warsaw: Argraf, 2004, p. 22. ISBN 83-912463-4-5. (in Polish) In 2007, the building was entered into the national heritage list.

Architecture The building has reinforced concrete structure, with 4 stories, and a 6-storey-tall clock tower, and bears elements of neoclassical and modern styles. It also has two inner courtyards. Its façade is lined with sandstone plates.Marta Leśniakowska: Architektura w Warszawie 1918–1939. Warsaw Arkada Pracownia Historii Sztuki, 2006, p. 121. ISBN 83-60350-00-0. (in Polish)Jarosław Zieliński: Atlas dawnej architektury ulic i placów Warszawy. Tom 1. Agrykola–Burmistrzowska. Warsaw: Biblioteka Towarzystwa Opieki nad Zabytkami, 1996, p. 62. ISBN 83-902793-5-5. (in Polish) It also features two cartouche depicting 16 coat of arms of the voivodeships of the Second Polish Republic. The originals were destroyed in the 1960s, and their replicas were installed in 2018.

Its hall features a 1937 fresco by Boleslaw Cybis and Jan Zamoyski, titled Bolesław the Brave drawing borders of Poland on the Oder, as well as a 1938 sgraffito by Edward Manteuffel-Szoege, titled The Map of Poland.

Gallery

References