A new mural commemorating the industrial roots of Wola has been unveiled at Fabryka Norblina in Warsaw. Created by Jarosław Zuzga, “Wola Fabr.” is a tribute to Wola’s factories and their workers—those who, over decades, helped build the strength of the capital’s industry.
A new, meaning-rich mural entitled “Wola Fabr.” has appeared on one of the walls of Fabryka Norblina at 51/53 Żelazna Street. The composition features selected historical logos and corporate marks of some of the most important factories that once operated in Warsaw’s Wola district—from large industrial plants to smaller manufactories. The graphic elements are embedded within the outline of the contemporary district, creating a unique map of its industrial DNA.
Covering an area of 33.5 sqm, the mural was created on the eastern façade of one of the historic buildings of the former Norblin works, on its northern section facing Żelazna Street. The building, dating from the 1920s–1930s, served as a calibration workshop (Namiarownia) until the factory ceased operations in 1981.
The author of the project is Jarosław Zuzga—a graphic designer, photographer and Varsavianist, author of the book “Wola. People and Stories,” who has documented the history of this part of Warsaw for years and runs the blog Okno na Warszawę.
– “I wanted to create something more than an illustration—it is a story about working people, factories that no longer exist, and a district that continues to change its face. I also wanted to show how interesting some of the logos of Wola-based enterprises once were,” says the artist.
– “The ‘Wola Fabr.’ mural is another expression of our mission to recall the industrial heritage of Wola. It is a story about identity that, despite urban transformation, still lives here—and one we want to nurture,”
adds Artur Setniewski, Director of the Museum of Fabryka Norblina.
The mural has been placed under the honorary patronage of the Mayor of the Wola District.
– “I am glad that Wola does not forget its past. The ‘Wola Fabr.’ mural is not only a work of art, but also an important element of our history and identity,”
says Krzysztof Strzałkowski, Mayor of the Wola District.
The new mural fits into a broader context of cultural and educational activities carried out by the Museum of Fabryka Norblina—a place where the history of Warsaw’s industry is told through architecture, historic machines and equipment, plated products, and the stories of the people and families who built the power of former industrial plants. The mural was executed by the Warsaw-based studio IDEAMO, which specializes in artistic and culture-forming mural projects.
This is already the fourth mural of this kind that can be admired at Fabryka Norblina. Previously, at the intersection of Żelazna and Prosta Streets, on the southern wall of the former metallurgical laboratory of Fabryka Norblina, a mural based on the painting “Norblin Works” by one of Poland’s most renowned painters and graphic artists, Edward Dwurnik, was created. The project was overseen by the artist’s foundation, represented and led by his daughter Pola Dwurnik, a visual artist. She also created her own original work—a monumental painting inspired by the products of the former factory—located on level –1 of the Plater building.
The complex also features a mural based on a work by Tytus Brzozowski—a well-known painter, architect and enthusiast of Warsaw’s history and architecture—depicting Fabryka Norblina and Warsaw in his characteristic, painterly interpretation (level –2).
More information about the new mural is available at: https://muzeumfabrykinorblina.pl/mural-wola-fabr/