Hidden deep within the Bolimów Forest, near the Rawka River, lies one of the quietest and most moving war memorial sites in Poland – the Joachimów-Mogiły War Cemetery.
It is not only the final resting place of thousands of soldiers who died during both World Wars, but also a powerful testament to the brutal realities of history and a tribute to the victims of the great conflicts of the 20th century.
The History of the Site: Bloody Battles by the Rawka River and Gas Attacks
The cemetery is located in an area where fierce fighting took place between German and Russian forces during World War I, particularly in the years 1914–1915. The Bolimów region and the Rawka River were among the most critical points on the Eastern Front. One of the bloodiest episodes of the conflict occurred here with the gas attacks carried out by the German army in January and May 1915. It was in this very area that chemical weapons were used on a large scale for the first time in the history of the Eastern Front, causing devastating losses on the Russian side.
It is estimated that tens of thousands of soldiers from both sides perished in this region, and the Joachimów-Mogiły War Cemetery is the burial site of approximately 1,200 of them — mainly Russian and German soldiers who died in 1915.
Watch the Video: Joachimów-Mogiły War Cemetery from Above
The silence of the forest, the geometric layout of the stone circle, and history etched into the landscape. Watch a unique drone film that presents the Joachimów-Mogiły War Cemetery from an entirely new perspective. No narration – just images and captions that tell the story of soldiers from two world wars and the place where war truly falls silent.
“Duck Beaks” – Chemical Weapons and the Origin of a Place Name
During the German gas attacks of 1915, special pipes with distinctive flattened ends — resembling a duck’s beak — were used to release chlorine gas. These metal devices, attached to gas cylinders, directed the toxic cloud toward enemy positions. Due to their shape, they were commonly referred to by soldiers and locals as “duck beaks.”
Interestingly, within the Bolimów Landscape Park lies a small settlement called Kacze Dzioby (“Duck Beaks”). Although no definitive documentation confirms the origin of the name, it is widely believed to have derived from these gas deployment devices used during World War I. This is a unique example of how the legacy of armed conflict has shaped local toponymy and regional memory.
A Memento of the Gas Attack in the Bolimów Town Square
In the center of Bolimów, on the town square, stands a unique artifact from World War I — a fire alarm bell made from a former chemical gas cylinder. This authentic chlorine gas canister was repurposed after the war into a warning device for the local fire brigade. The object is not only an intriguing example of wartime engineering but also a tangible reminder of the dramatic events of 1915. It remains one of the few physical remnants of the gas attacks near the Rawka River and illustrates how local communities gave new meaning to the relics of war.
The German Cemetery in Joachimów-Mogiły – A Symbol of Remembrance for Two Wars
After World War I, the cemetery served as a modest field burial site. However, its current monumental form emerged much later. Between 1990 and 1992, the site gained new significance when the remains of over 2,500 German soldiers were transferred here after being exhumed from the Military Cemetery at Powązki in Warsaw. German graves, which had been removed from central city cemeteries after World War II, were given a dignified resting place in Joachimów.
(You can read more about Powązki here: Powązki Military Cemetery in Warsaw.)
Alongside the exhumations, the site underwent a transformation and symbolic redesign. A stone circle was created, with a central mound topped by a simple cross. Surrounding it are Maltese crosses and plaques bearing the names of the fallen. This memorial site stands as a witness to the tragedies of both 20th-century world wars and serves as a symbol of reconciliation.
Who Restored the Cemetery in Joachimów?
The restoration and maintenance of the cemetery are overseen by Volksbund Deutsche Kriegsgräberfürsorge e.V. – the German War Graves Commission. In cooperation with Polish authorities and the local community, efforts were made to ensure that the site is respectfully preserved and clearly marked.
Thanks to their dedication, the German cemetery in Bolimów – as it is also sometimes called – has become a place of reflection rather than one of oblivion.
Surroundings: Bolimów Landscape Park and Nearby Attractions
The Joachimów-Mogiły War Cemetery is located within the Bolimów Landscape Park — one of the most ecologically valuable regions of central Poland. Narrow forest roads, the picturesque Rawka River, and the silence of the woods create a unique and contemplative atmosphere.
In the immediate vicinity, it is also worth visiting:
Nieborów Palace – an 18th-century Baroque residence of the Radziwiłł family, now part of the National Museum in Warsaw (coming soon on ekompas.pl).
Automotive Museum in Nieborów – a fascinating collection of vintage cars and motorcycles, which you can read about here: Automotive Museum in Nieborów.
This is a perfect destination for a weekend trip — ideal for enthusiasts of history, nature, and hidden gems.
How to Get There
Joachimów-Mogiły is located about 5 km from Bolimów and less than 15 km from Nieborów. The cemetery can be reached via a narrow forest road that begins off the main Bolimów–Joachimów route. The site is not well marked, but it is well worth the effort to find. A Google Map or a local information board will be helpful in locating it.
The German Cemetery in Bolimów – Silence That Speaks
The Joachimów-Mogiły War Cemetery is a place that reminds us war does not recognize nationality. Buried here are Russian and German soldiers — and indirectly also Polish ones, as it was on Polish soil that these battles took place. It is a memory worth preserving.
If you’re interested in history, memorial sites, forgotten cemeteries, and traces of past battles — this is a place you simply must not miss.