Amid the trees of the Masovian forest, just off provincial road no. 631 connecting Warsaw with Nieporęt, lies a remarkable place of remembrance. It was here, on November 11, 1939, that German occupiers executed nine residents of Zielonka—including young scouts—for posting patriotic leaflets with the text of “Rota” by Maria Konopnicka. Today, a symbolic monument stands hidden among the trees, accessible on foot or by bicycle from Bankowa Street. This poignant site is worth visiting to understand the price paid for freedom and to honor those who never lived to see it.
Courage in the Shadow of Occupation
November 1939. Poland is under German occupation, but the spirit of independence still burns strong. In Zielonka, a town near Warsaw, the youth of the 86th Scout Troop decide to commemorate the anniversary of Poland’s regained independence. During the night of November 10th to 11th, they put up posters with the text of “Rota”—a song banned by the Germans, symbolizing resistance and national pride.
This act of courage does not go unnoticed. German gendarmes immediately launch an investigation. A group of youths and adult residents of Zielonka, suspected of taking part in the action, are arrested. Without trial, without judgment—on the morning of November 11, they are taken to the area near today’s route 631 and executed in the forest.
Victims of the German Execution
The following individuals were killed in the execution:
Józef Kulczycki (25) – SGH student, scout troop leader
Zbigniew Dymek (16) – scout
Stanisław Golcz (16) – scout
Józef Wyrzykowski (17) – scout
Jan Rudzki – approx. 38, scout instructor
Kazimierz Stawiarski – scout
Edward Szweryn – café owner
Aron Kaufman – butcher shop owner
NN – unidentified man, possibly Dawid Jelen
The testimony of engineer Tadeusz Cieciera, who survived the arrest, recalls the dramatic moments before the execution. Cieciera managed to escape from the execution site. The rest of those detained were executed in the forest, and their bodies were buried on the spot. The quiet forest that now surrounds the monument was the site of one of the first public executions near Warsaw.
Who Were the Executioners?
The execution was carried out by officers of the Schutzpolizei (order police) and likely soldiers of the Gestapo, stationed in Warsaw or Radzymin. The entire action was repressive and demonstrative in nature. November 11th—Poland’s Independence Day—was not chosen by accident. The Germans aimed to strike at the symbolic meaning of the date, sending a message that there was no place for national pride in occupied Poland.
The execution in Zielonka was part of a broader German campaign targeting the Polish intelligentsia, clergy, and youth—known as Intelligenzaktion. It was a systematic attempt to destroy the nation by eliminating its leaders, educators, and independent thinkers.
The Forest Monument – How to Find It
The monument is located in a forest between Zielonka and Rembertów, near provincial road 631 (Warsaw–Nieporęt). The path to the memorial begins on Bankowa Street—about halfway down, a forest trail leads directly into the woods. The monument is accessible on foot, but it’s also worth planning a bike visit, as this area is popular among cyclists heading toward the Zegrze Reservoir.
The monument itself is striking and well-maintained. A central column with a cross and two wings of a commemorative wall create a symbolic space for reflection. Next to the plaque listing the victims’ names, you will also find scout symbols and patriotic quotes.
From above (as shown in the aerial photo), the site appears hidden in the forest, isolated from the noise of road 631—though it lies just a few dozen meters away. This place sparks the imagination with its silence, simplicity, and tragic history.
🎥 Watch the Video
Watch a moving film showing the monument in Zielonka from a bird’s-eye perspective. Amid the soothing sounds of the forest, we rise above the site where, on November 11, 1939, German occupiers executed scouts and local residents. Calm music and poignant captions guide us through this woodland clearing of silence, which forever remembers that morning.
It is a tribute to the young heroes and to all who gave their lives for a free Poland.
The film not only presents the place of the crime, but also tells the story of its victims—their names, ages, motives, and the brutal punishment they suffered.
Worth Visiting and Remembering
The memorial site in Zielonka is not a museum or a monument featured in tourist guidebooks. It is a silent witness to a tragedy that unfolded in the very heart of the local community. Visiting this place offers a deeper understanding of how brutal and ruthless the German occupation was from the very first months of the war.
Let this visit be part of a broader journey into the history of Poland and the fate of thousands of victims of German terror.
If you are interested in national remembrance sites, we also recommend:
🔗 Palmiry Cemetery – A Forest Necropolis and a Site of National Remembrance
This is one of the most important martyrdom sites of the Polish intelligentsia. In Palmiry, located in the Kampinos Forest, the Germans carried out mass executions between 1939 and 1943. Among those buried here are Janusz Kusociński, Maciej Rataj, and Mieczysław Niedziałkowski.
The cemetery and museum offer a profound space for reflection on the price of independence.
🔗 Traces of the Warsaw Insurgents – Bloody Echoes of History
This article gathers significant sites connected to the Warsaw Uprising – from barricades and sewers to cemeteries and memorial plaques. It tells a story of the heroism of the capital’s residents, but also of their suffering. These traces are still visible on the walls, streets, and courtyards of Warsaw – you just have to look around.
🔗 Pawiak Prison Museum in Warsaw – A Place of Remembrance of a Tragic History
Pawiak is a symbol of German terror in occupied Warsaw. Thousands of people passed through its cells—scouts, teachers, priests, insurgents, Jews. Most never returned. Today, a moving museum operates on the site of the former prison, preserving original walls, cells, and memory trees bearing the names of the victims.
Summary
The monument in Zielonka is a reminder of nine Poles who died for their courage and love of country. Young scouts and adult residents who refused to stay silent.
A visit to this place doesn’t take much time—but it leaves a lasting impression. It is a quiet duty to history and to those who gave their lives so that we may live in a free Poland today.