Napoleon Square

Napoleon Square, now called Warsaw Uprising Square, was one of the most central points downtown during the 63 days of fighting.

In the first few hours of the struggle against the Nazi occupiers, insurgents stormed the Prudential building and hung the Polish white-and-red flag from its roof, making it visible from all parts of the city.

The main post office, which stood where the National Bank of Poland is now, was also a key target for the combatants.

In the last days of August and into September, the Germans started to intensify their air raids and artillery fire throughout the city.

The Prudential building was an easy target, and on the 28th of August it was hit by a 600 mm heavy calibre 2-tonne shell fired from a Karl-Gerät mortar. Despite the immense damage, the building did not collapse, and still stands to this day.