The Jan Kiliński Monument in Warsaw is a statue honoring Jan Kiliński, a Polish patriot and hero of the Kościuszko Uprising against the Russian Empire in 1794. Jan Kiliński was a master shoemaker by trade, but he is best remembered for his leadership and bravery during the uprising where he served as a commander of a Warsaw-based insurgent regiment.

The monument, located at Wola district’s Kiliński Square, features Kiliński standing tall, holding a sword, symbolizing his role as a leader of the city’s burghers in the struggle for Polish independence. The statue was originally created by the sculptor Stanisław Jackowski and was unveiled on November 7, 1936. However, like many other monuments in Warsaw, it suffered damage during World War II.

After the war, the statue was restored and eventually re-erected in 1959, during the period of the Polish People’s Republic. The Jan Kiliński Monument is not just a commemoration of Kiliński himself, but it also represents the broader spirit of resistance and the fight for freedom that has characterized Poland’s history. Jan Kiliński is celebrated as a symbol of the common man’s contribution to the national cause, and the monument serves as a reminder of the importance of civic duty and patriotism.