The Umschlagplatz Monument marks the former loading point from which around 300,000 Jews were deported from the Warsaw Ghetto to the Treblinka extermination camp in 1942. The white marble memorial is inscribed with first names.
The Umschlagplatz Monument stands at ul. Stawki 8 in the Muranów district of Warsaw, Poland, within the area of the former Warsaw Ghetto. The site marks the Umschlagplatz, the loading point beside a railway siding from which around 300,000 Jews were deported to the Treblinka extermination camp between July and September 1942. The memorial was unveiled in 1988 and is a quiet, solemn place in the middle of a residential neighbourhood.
The monument is a white marble enclosure shaped like the side of a cattle car, with an open gap suggesting a gate or an opening in a wall. Inside, a dark wall is inscribed with several hundred first names, both Polish and Jewish, chosen at random as a way of representing the individuals who were deported. The names are arranged alphabetically, and a birch tree at the centre stands among the stone, a reminder of the life that was lost. Short inscriptions in Polish, Hebrew and Yiddish explain the site.
There is no ticket, no entrance and no staff, and the memorial is accessible at any time. Visitors usually stay 20 to 30 minutes, standing quietly, reading the names and taking in the setting. The memorial sits on a street where traffic passes, which contrasts with the stillness inside the enclosure.
The visit is best made during the day. It pairs naturally with the POLIN Museum and the Monument to the Ghetto Heroes, about ten minutes away on foot, and a walk through Muranów can include remnants of the ghetto wall and other plaques. Crowds are small, though guided groups pass through in daylight, and visitors should respect the solemn nature of the site. Trams stop at Stawki and Muranowska.
| Admission | Free |
|---|---|
| Hours | Open-air memorial, accessible at all times |
| Typical visit | 20-30 minutes |
| Best time | Daytime; pair with POLIN, 10 minutes away on foot |
| Getting there | Tram stop Stawki or Muranowska; about 10 minutes on foot from POLIN |
| Address | ul. Stawki 8, 00-193 Warsaw |
Location
ul. Stawki 8, 00-193 Warsaw
52.2536, 20.9938 View on map
Highlights
- The white marble enclosure shaped like a cattle car
- The wall of first names of Polish and Jewish deportees
- The central tree within the memorial
- Its position among the sites of the former ghetto
Tips for visiting
- Treat the site as a solemn memorial and keep voices low.
- Combine with POLIN and the Monument to the Ghetto Heroes on foot.
- Visit in daylight when the inscriptions are easiest to read.
- Entry is free and the memorial is always accessible.
- Walk through Muranów to see other ghetto plaques.
When to visit
Daytime is best, and it pairs with a POLIN Museum visit about ten minutes away.
Accessibility
The memorial is outdoors at street level and generally accessible to wheelchair users, though paving may be uneven in places.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a visit take?
A visit takes 20 to 30 minutes.
Is there an entrance fee?
No. The memorial is free and open at all times.
What do the names on the wall represent?
They are first names, both Polish and Jewish, that represent the individuals deported from the ghetto in 1942.