The City of Warsaw has launched a film‑style project that recreates the late 19th‑century atmosphere of the city, inviting visitors to “stroll” with Wokulski and Rzecki along its historic streets from Zamkowy Square to Jerozolimskie Avenue.
Film Project Brings 19th‑Century Warsaw to Life
A film project styled after the realities of the late 19th century has appeared in the area around Zamkowy Square and St. Anna’s Church. The City of Warsaw office announces that photos are being taken under the slogan “Wokulski and Rzecki stroll through Warsaw”.
The Literary Landscape of Warsaw
Warsaw is one of the most precisely described cities in Polish literature. The setting of Bolesław Prus’ The Doll is mainly made up of Krakowskie Przedmieście and its surroundings – from Zamkowy Square to Trzech Krzyży Square. From the observation deck of St. Anna’s tower, one can catch a glimpse of this scenery: Krakowskie Przedmieście, Miodowa, and Podwale.
Significant Addresses: Wokulski and Rzecki
One of the most frequently cited addresses is Krakowskie Przedmieście 4/6, where a plaque commemorating Stanisław Wokulski is located. A plaque for Ignacy Rzecki has been placed at the gate of the corner building at Krakowskie Przedmieście 7 – here sits Wokulski’s “new shop”, and in the office the proprietor’s “apartment”. It is in this part of the Royal Route that Prus includes many commercial and social scenes.
Interior Descriptions in “The Doll”
The shop and street in the novel are described in detail. A sentence, “On Krakowskie [Street] one could already see from afar the sign reading: J. Mincel and S. Wokulski…”, showcases the topography of the commercial Krakowskie. The interior of the old storage is portrayed with specific props: “Even the vault was occupied. Long rows of bubbles hung there… finally—a stuffed crocodile…”. In the urban layer, Jerozolimskie Avenues and the area around Trzech Krzyży Square are also significant. Rzecki, describing his “inspections” after Wokulski’s purchase of the Leckich building, notes: “I then set out to brush off my hat… and walk somewhere beyond St. Aleksander’s church.”
Planning Your Literary Walk
This route is one that anyone can arrange. A good starting point is Zamkowy Square – one can go up St. Anna’s tower to get an overview of a stretch of Krakowskie Przedmieście and read a short quotation: “From afar one could already see the sign…”. Alternatively you can start at Krakowskie Przedmieście 4/6 (the Wokulski plaque) or Krakowskie Przedmieście 7 (the Rzecki plaque) and recall the shop description: “Even the vault was occupied… finally—a stuffed crocodile…”. Another natural direction is Trzech Krzyży Square with St. Aleksander’s Church, in reference to Rzecki’s note: “…walk somewhere beyond St. Aleksander’s church.” The walk can end near Jerozolimskie Avenues, at addresses linked to the “Leckich building” subplot.
Photographs Capturing Late 19th‑Century Realities
The photographs taken in the city centre – in the area of Zamkowy Square and St. Anna’s tower – have been prepared to depict the realities of the late 19th century, using the distinctive perspectives of Krakowskie Przedmieście and adjacent streets.
Source: MiejskiReporter,
