Mały Powstaniec, the Little Insurgent

Monument in Warsaw

CC BY-SA 3.0 / Mister No

A Tribute to Courage Beyond Years Nestled beside the ramparts of Warsaw’s Old Town, the Mały Powstaniec—or Little Insurgent—monument honors the child soldiers who participated in the Warsaw Uprising of 1944. Unveiled on October 1, 1983, the statue depicts a young boy wearing an oversized helmet and clutching a submachine gun, symbolizing the heartbreaking reality of children thrust into war. Though not modeled after a specific individual, the figure evokes the memory of countless young couriers, scouts, and helpers who risked—and often lost—their lives in the fight for freedom.

Symbolism in Bronze Designed by Jerzy Jarnuszkiewicz in 1946, the statue’s exaggerated proportions—particularly the helmet and weapon—highlight the stark contrast between childhood innocence and the brutal demands of resistance. Behind the statue is a plaque engraved with lyrics from the wartime song “Warszawskie Dzieci” (“Varsovian Children”), pledging blood for every stone of the beloved capital. The monument’s location on Podwale Street, near the city walls, reinforces its role as a sentinel of memory and resilience.

The Gray Ranks and Young Heroes During the uprising, children were primarily used as messengers, medics, and scouts, though some did take up arms. Many belonged to the Polish Underground Scouting movement, known as the Gray Ranks, which trained youth in resistance activities. The unveiling of the monument was led by Professor Jerzy Świderski, a former 14-year-old courier during the uprising, adding a deeply personal layer to the commemoration.

The Mały Powstaniec, the Little Insurgent appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Warsaw!

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