Szmulowizna

Szmulowizna, also known as Szmulki, is a housing estate located in the Praga-Północ district of Warsaw, bounded by Markowska Street and railway lines. The name Szmulowizna derives from the owner of these lands, Jewish merchant Szmul Jakubowicz Sonnenberg, and its history dates back to the 18th century. In the 19th century, surrounded by railway tracks, Szmulowizna began to develop as an industrial area, with significant establishments such as the "Koneser" Vodka Distillery. In 1889, it was incorporated into Warsaw, which contributed to the development of infrastructure, including roads and tram lines. After World War II, the area gained notoriety, but over the years its splendor has been restored with new housing developments. Architecturally, Szmulowizna is known for its housing estates from the 1960s and 1970s, including Warsaw's tallest building on Kijowska Street, which is 508 meters long. Culturally, it stands out with the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the complex of the former Vodka Distillery, which now houses the Museum of Polish Vodka. An interesting fact is the history of Prince Michał Radziwiłł, who in the 20th century developed a part of Szmulowizna named Michałów, and the tradition of Michałów Days, celebrated on Michael's name day, reflects the local historical and cultural memory.