Statue of Ignacy Skorupka

The monument is dedicated to Ignacy Skorupka, a 20th-century Roman Catholic priest, and a chaplain in the Polish Armed Forces, who died in the Battle of Warsaw on 13 August 1920. The commemoration was proposed by Sławoj Leszek Głódź, the bishop of Warsaw-Praga, for the 85th anniversary of the battle and Skorupka's death. It was financed by the Diocese of Warsaw-Praga, and designed by sculptor Andrzej Renes. The sculpture was unveiled on 13 August 2005 in front of the St. Florian Cathedral, by the Praga division of Polish Scouting and Guiding Association. The ceremony was attanded by Lech Kaczyński, the mayor of Warsaw, Ryszard Kaczorowski, the last president of the Polish government-in-exile, and Józef Glemp, the primate of Poland.^[1][2]

Its design was poorly received by art critics and the public. Among others, they criticised the statue's untul posture, and unflattering facial expression. It was also deemed the worst sculpture in the city by numerous public surveys. It was also criticised by Głódź, who proposed its construction.^[1]

The monument consists of a 4-metre-tall gunmetal statue, placed on a 5-metre-tall granite pedestal. It depicts Ignacy Skorupka, dressed in a priest attire, with his large robe being blown in the wind. He is leaning forward, pointing with his left hand to the east, and holding a Catholic cross in his right hand. The monument is facing in the direction of the offensive of Polish forces during the Battle of Warsaw.^[1] The pedestal features the following Polish inspiration: