Between July and September 1942 around 265,000 to 300,000 Jews were deported from this railway loading point to the Treblinka extermination camp. The monument, unveiled in 1988, is shaped like an open freight car and carries first names in Polish and Hebrew.
The Umschlagplatz Monument at ulica Stawki 8 in Warsaw's Muranów district, Poland, marks the site of the railway loading point from which German authorities deported Jews from the Warsaw Ghetto. Between July and September 1942, around 265,000 to 300,000 people were sent from here to the Treblinka extermination camp, with smaller deportations continuing into 1943. The word Umschlagplatz is German for transfer point, and the yard beside the Stawki street railway siding was used to hold people before they were forced onto freight trains. The memorial, unveiled in 1988 and designed by Hanna Szmalenberg and Władysław Klamerus, takes the form of a white marble and dark stone enclosure shaped like an open freight car. Its walls carry hundreds of first names in Polish and Hebrew, chosen as a representative list of the lost, and along the outer wall run the words of Jewish and Christian traditions as well as the number of deportees. A tree stands in the centre of the enclosure, and a short path of memorial stones leads towards the site. The area was part of the former ghetto, and the original buildings largely vanished, so the monument is the principal marker. It is an open-air memorial maintained as a place of quiet reflection and forms part of the Path of Remembrance that links POLIN and other ghetto sites. Visitors typically spend a short time there, and respectful behaviour is expected. It is best understood alongside the nearby POLIN Museum and the Monument to the Ghetto Heroes.
| Admission | Free |
|---|---|
| Hours | Open-air memorial, accessible at all times |
| Address | ul. Stawki 8, 00-193 Warsaw |
Why it matters
The Umschlagplatz was the point of departure for most Warsaw Jews sent to Treblinka during the Holocaust. The monument preserves the memory of deportations in a district where little else survives.
Location
ul. Stawki 8, 00-193 Warsaw
52.2536, 20.9938 View on map
Highlights
- Monument shaped like an open freight car
- Hundreds of first names in Polish and Hebrew on the walls
- Link to the Path of Remembrance through the former ghetto
- Close to POLIN Museum and Ghetto Heroes Monument
Tips for visiting
- Visit as part of a walk with POLIN and the Ghetto Heroes Monument.
- Keep voices low and avoid casual photography poses at the memorial.
- The site is free and open at all times, but daylight visits are easier.
- Read the inscriptions on the walls before leaving.
When to visit
Daylight hours on weekdays are quietest. Commemorations around 19 April and August draw crowds.
Accessibility
The memorial is at street level, but the surrounding paving may be uneven. Step-free access to the enclosure should be confirmed locally.
Frequently asked questions
What happened at the Umschlagplatz?
It was the loading point for deportations of Warsaw Ghetto residents to Treblinka in 1942 and later.
How long does a visit take?
Around 15 to 20 minutes, longer if combined with a walking tour.
Is it suitable for children?
It is an open-air memorial, and older children can visit with explanation. The subject is sensitive.