The eagle from the UW’s Main Gate has undergone necessary conservation work. It will return to its place in a few weeks.
The history of the university’s emblem dates back to 1817. The eagle was ceremonially hoisted on the UW’s Main Gate on Krakowskie Przedmieście on 7th October 1916, to mark the opening of the academic year. It remained there until 1939, and after a long hiatus, it reappeared in the 1980s.
The renovation work will restore the eagle to its former glory, after which it will return to the top of the university gate on Krakowskie Przedmieście.
The history of the UW’s emblem
The history of the eagle reflects the complex fortunes of the University and the turbulent history of Poland in the 19th and 20th centuries. You can read more on this subject in the book by Dr Krzysztof Mordyński of the University of Warsaw Museum – Godło Uniwersytetu Warszawskiego. Dzieje symbolu na pieczęciach uczelni ze zbiorów Muzeum UW. The publication is available on the University of Warsaw Museum website. The author also spoke about it in the “Read with the UW” series:
O uniwersyteckim godle w Czytaj z UW (seria 3., odcinek 8.)
