Lublin to Restore 1939 Execution Memorial

23 April 2026 Poland Radar 0 Comments

City wins funding for Lublin memorial renovation to restore a 1939 execution monument and preserve local memory.

City authorities in Lublin announced funding to restore a wartime memorial near the old kirkut. Moreover, the project will preserve the memory of ten members of the local intelligentsia who the Germans executed on 23 December 1939. The Lublin memorial renovation received a grant from the Ministry of Culture.

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Historical context of the executions

German occupiers shot ten Lublin citizens near Sienna Street in December 1939. Consequently, the killings formed part of the so-called Sonderaktion Lublin. Moreover, the operation targeted Polish elites. Therefore, judges, professors and county officials faced arrest and execution. In addition, many detainees went to the Zamkowy prison at Lublin Castle. However, survivors kept the memory alive through private rituals and local monuments. The executed included Stanisław Bryła and Bolesław Sekutowicz, who led the courts. Moreover, the list also named professor Czesław Martyniak and county head Józef Dańkowski. The site sits by the former kirkut (old Jewish cemetery). Therefore, the location also carries layered memories for the city’s Jewish and Polish communities.

Lublin memorial renovation: funding and scope

The municipality secured 56,000+ PLN from the Culture Ministry for the restoration. Consequently, local officials announced the total cost at about 73,000 PLN. In addition, the project will repair stonework and update inscriptions. Moreover, city crews will improve the immediate surroundings for visitors. However, workers will respect the site’s historic fabric. Therefore, the team will consult historians and conservators. The work aims to return the monument to a dignified state. Moreover, the project will highlight that this was one of the first Nazi crimes against Lublin residents.

Local and legal actors involved

The city leads the effort, and the Culture Ministry co-finances it. In addition, heritage professionals will advise on methods. Moreover, organizations such as the Institute of National Remembrance often support similar projects. Therefore, public records, witness testimonies and court documents may guide the restoration. However, ownership and responsibilities can vary. Consequently, municipalities usually manage small memorials. In practice, residents request maintenance, and officials allocate funds within cultural budgets. For expats, note that Polish public services use institutions like ZUS (social insurance) and NFZ (public health fund) for benefits. In addition, official IDs rely on the PESEL number (national identification number), and police may issue a mandat (fine) for disrespectful behaviour at memorials.

💡 GOOD TO KNOW: Foreign residents should treat memorials with visible respect. Therefore, avoid loud behaviour or commercial photography without permission. Moreover, many Polish towns hold annual commemorations near such monuments, and municipal authorities may close nearby streets. In addition, if you plan group visits, contact the local cultural office first. Finally, records about wartime events often appear in Polish archives. Consequently, you can request help from local museums or the Institute of National Remembrance, and translators can assist if you lack Polish language skills.

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