Wiadukt Markiewicza, Warszawa

Wiadukt Markiewicza is a decorated road viaduct carrying Karowa Street through Warsaw’s escarpment. Built from 1902 to 1905, it links Karowa’s upper and lower stretches and bears allegorical sculpture by Jan Woydyga, including figures of Warsaw, labour, education and the Vistula.

Here, Wiadukt Markiewicza carries Karowa Street across its own steep route, forming a road viaduct over the street in Warsaw. Its name honours Stanisław Markiewicz, the physician who created Poland’s earliest holiday colonies for children. Built from 1902 to 1905, it joined the upper stretch of Karowa by Krakowskie Przedmieście with the lower Powiśle stretch near the Vistula.

Karol Sommer devised the structure, while Stefan Szyller designed its architectural character and Jan Woydyga its sculpture. Notice the sculptural ensemble built into the viaduct. Warsaw appears as a crowned woman, carrying a book and emblems of learning and art.

Beside her sits the personification of labour, a powerful moustached man with a cogwheel and sword. A flame burns on a garlanded stone column above them for education, while the Vistula takes human form in a severe bearded figure. A cartouche on the outer southern balustrade bears the date 1905.

The restoration of 2006 to 2007 brought back stone paving and recreated the lamps on decorative brackets; the replacements use electricity, whereas the vanished originals were gas lamps. The viaduct has heritage protection.