This surviving section of the Warsaw Ghetto wall stands in the courtyard at Sienna 55, in central Warsaw. Built by the Nazis to enclose the ghetto, the wall is a stark physical reminder of the persecution and loss endured by the Jewish community during World War II. The site is modest, with little to see beyond the fragment itself, so come to pause and reflect rather than expect a museum visit. Reading about the ghetto before you go can add important context.
The wall and the ghetto
The fragment at Sienna 55 is one of two surviving sections of the wall built by the Nazis to enclose the Warsaw Ghetto. The other remnant is on nearby Złota Street. The enclosure was established in November 1940, during the German occupation of Poland in World War II.
Warsaw’s ghetto was the largest Jewish ghetto created by the Germans during the war. Between 300,000 and 400,000 people died during its three years of existence. Starvation and disease, including typhoid, killed many; others were deported to Nazi death camps.
Remembering the uprising
The ghetto was also the site of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising. It was led by Mordechaj Anielewicz, who died there at the age of 24. The remaining wall fragment offers a tangible link to this history, but there is little to see on site. A little reading before arrival can help place the courtyard and its remnant in the wider story of the ghetto.
FAQ
Where is the Fragment of Ghetto Wall?
It is in the courtyard at Sienna 55 in Warsaw. A second surviving wall fragment is on Złota Street.
Can you access the wall fragment?
The fragment is inside a building courtyard, and access may be limited.
How much is there to see?
The visit centres on the surviving wall section. It is a small memorial site, not a museum.
What should I read or watch before visiting?
Learning about the Warsaw Ghetto can provide context. The Pianist is one film suggested as preparation.
