The news in Polish
Pracownik znalazł na ulicy Matejki 57 w Poznaniu napisy na ścianach piwnicy . To ślady z okresu po II wojnie światowej, kiedy było tam więzienie. Napisy to modlitwy, rysunki i daty. To ważne odkrycie dla historyków i mieszkańców , które pomaga zrozumieć trudne czasy w Polsce.
Translation
A worker discovered inscriptions on the walls of a basement at 57 Matejki Street in Poznań. These date back to the period after World War II, when the building served as a prison. The inscriptions include prayers, drawings, and dates. This important discovery provides valuable insights for historians and locals, aiding in understanding the difficult times in Poland.
Exercise: Text comprehension
Question 1: Where were the writings found in Poznań?
The writings were found on the walls of a basement on Matejki Street 57 in Poznań.
Question 2: What types of writings were discovered in the basement?
The writings included prayers, drawings, and dates.
Exercise: Vocabulary
Read the full story
▌03/02/2025
An unexpected discovery in the basement of a tenement at Matejki Street 57 in Poznań has revealed a chilling glimpse into Poland's post-war past. Przemysław Godyla, an employee at the Poznań Municipal Housing Resource Administration, uncovered a series of carvings and writings thought to be created by prisoners once held there.
The inscriptions, etched into the walls of several basement rooms, are remnants from the time when the site served as a police detention centre following World War II. These writings range from detailed messages and illustrations to simple names, dates, and rudimentary calendars marking the days of incarceration. The content spans poignant prayers and patriotic slogans to visceral curses, providing a window into the personal anguish experienced by the prisoners.
Historic Graffiti Discovered in Poznań Basement (Illustration)
Godyla explains that the detainees likely included both political prisoners and ordinary criminals, uniting ideologically-driven individuals and common offenders behind the same walls. The social distinctions among these incarcerated peoples seemed to blur within this oppressive environment, creating a heterogenous tapestry of expressions that now captivate historians and locals alike.
In response to this historical finding, the city’s Monument Conservator has commissioned a full documentation and preservation of the graffiti. Historians will utilize these inscriptions, alongside archives from the Institute of National Remembrance, to piece together the stories of those who left these enduring marks on history.
This remarkable discovery has ignited interest in understanding more deeply the lived experiences of those trapped in Poland’s turbulent history, offering both poignant reminders and vital insights into their resilience and resistance.
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