Tsarist Barracks Buildings

Today’s housing estate in Białobrzegi was built on the site of former tsarist barracks. In 1907 the Russian military authorities began building a complex for the garrison of Fort Beniaminów. A year later, twelve single-storey residential, administrative and utility buildings stood here on red granite foundations.

The barracks housed soldiers of the 2nd Zegrze Fortress Infantry Regiment, assigned to man the nearby fort. In 1917 they also held interned officers of the Polish Legions who had refused to swear allegiance to the German Emperor. One building housed the German camp command, while in another the “Biuletyn Beniaminowski” newsletter was edited. Among the internees was Captain (Medical Officer) Felicjan Sławoj Składkowski, later Prime Minister of Poland.

During the Second World War, a prisoner-of-war camp operated in the barracks, through which Soviet prisoners passed. After the war some of the buildings were rebuilt and converted into housing. The former barracks became part of the estate, where the military past is still visible in the layout and details of the buildings.