Powązkowski Cemetery in Warsaw, often called “Old Powązki”, is one of the oldest and most famous cemeteries in Poland. It was founded in 1790 and initially served as a burial place for victims of epidemics, as well as poor and deceased people outside the city.
During the 19th century, it became the most important cemetery in Warsaw, where many famous figures were buried, such as Fryderyk Chopin, Maria Konopnicka, or Ludwik Waryński. During the German occupation, the cemetery became a place of public executions and burial of war victims. After the war, the cemetery was restored, and distinguished personalities of Poland were buried there. Today, it is one of the most important places of religious, historical, and artistic culture in Warsaw.
During the 19th century, it became the most important cemetery in Warsaw, where many famous figures were buried, such as Fryderyk Chopin, Maria Konopnicka, or Ludwik Waryński. During the German occupation, the cemetery became a place of public executions and burial of war victims. After the war, the cemetery was restored, and distinguished personalities of Poland were buried there. Today, it is one of the most important places of religious, historical, and artistic culture in Warsaw.
Stonecutting in Warsaw
Stonecutting has always been associated with the funeral industry, and Warsaw’s stonemasons had their headquarters near Powązkowski Cemetery, especially around Powązkowska Street. In the 19th century, when the first necropolises were established, stonemasons became an indispensable part of the funeral market.
During the interwar period, many stonemasonry workshops operated in Warsaw, offering a wide range of services, from making tombstones to renovating old monuments. Stonemasons employed sculptors who created beautiful sculptures on tombstones but also made architectural decorations for residential and public buildings.
During World War II, cemetery stonemasons had a difficult task – they had to take care of cemeteries that were being destroyed by the Germans, but at the same time, they often risked their lives helping in resistance actions. Many Warsaw stonemasons lost their workshops during the Warsaw Uprising, and many had to start over after the war.
Currently, stonecutting at Powązki and other cemeteries in Warsaw mainly involves the renovation and conservation of old tombstones, which are often monuments and require specialist care. However, Warsaw stonemasons still create beautiful works of art that will remain for centuries.
A family-owned business of Warsaw stonemasons
The period of the Polish People’s Republic (PRL) was a challenge for many companies, and the Stonemasonry Workshop of the Sypniewski Family was no exception. Communist authorities pursued a policy of nationalizing industry and worked to replace private companies with state-owned enterprises. All of this made it difficult for private companies, including stonemasonry businesses, to operate and compete in the market.
Despite its long-standing tradition, the Stonemasonry Workshop of the Sypniewski Family also struggled during the PRL era. They could not rely on state support, and the lack of access to the latest stonemasonry technologies and materials hindered the company’s development. They had to rely on their skills, experience, and creativity to survive.
Despite these difficulties, the Stonemasonry Workshop of the Sypniewski Family managed to survive and thrive. Through hard work, high-quality products, and loyal customers, they were able to survive difficult times and maintain their position in the stonemasonry market.
Sypniewski Stonecutting Workshop
The Sypniewski Family Stone Masonry Workshop is a company with over 100 years of tradition in the Powązki Cemetery in Warsaw. It was founded by Bolesław Sypniewski in 1910, before World War I. Bolesław was an excellent craftsman and a master of many stonemasonry masters. He made, among others, the decoration of Gabriel Narutowicz’s crypt and the plaque on the Vilnius grave of Marshal Piłsudski’s mother, where the Marshal’s heart was also placed.
Continuing his father’s work, Józef Sypniewski went down in history as a charismatic manager and excellent specialist. He rebuilt the Primate’s Palace and modernized the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Currently, the company is owned by Andrzej Sypniewski, an outstanding master of stonemasonry and sculpture, who, thanks to his great knowledge and artistic abilities, has brought a breath of artistry to the company.
The family-owned company of Warsaw stonemasons is still operating in Powązki and offers its services and products that are available both for people looking for simple solutions on a small budget, as well as for customers requiring unusual, handmade works of stonemasonry art. Joanna Szykuła-Sypniewska, a graduate of the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw, an artist, a conservator of monuments and a designer, also works for the company and contributes to its development.
A Warsaw-based stonemason for generations
Zakład Kamieniarski Rodziny Sypniewskich is a company with over 100 years of tradition that passes down its skills from generation to generation. The owners of the company, Bolesław, Józef, Andrzej, and Joanna, are members of one family who always emphasize values such as quality, precision, and professionalism. The workshop combines the tradition of stonemasonry, artistry, and modern stone processing technology, allowing for the creation of unique, durable, and beautiful products.The Sypniewski family has been perfecting their craft for generations and passing on the secrets of stonemasonry to their successors. As a result, the company creates unique items that go beyond the boundary between craftsmanship and art. The company’s offer includes both modest proposals available on a small budget and unconventional, hand-finished creations made to special order by true masters of stonemasonry.
At the same time, the Sypniewski family is not afraid to use modern technologies that allow for even greater precision and speed in fulfilling orders. All in order to meet the demands of customers and the growing competition in the industry. Thanks to this combination of tradition and modernity, Zakład Kamieniarski Rodziny Sypniewskich is highly regarded by customers from all over the country and abroad.