Page 32 - Memory of the World filled with Color_revised Edition_online

60 History marked its new page as humans decided to create settlements. It was the start 61
of clans, villages, and towns that eventually developed into grand cities. Cities in general, with
the capital city at its front, were centers for tradition, culture, society, and the way of living. Due
to its concentrated feature, cities were also vulnerable in the face of danger, shown in many
cases of past historic cities fading away with the collapse of their nations. That was nearly the

case for Poland's Warsaw during the World War, very close to losing its accumulated legacy.

Warsaw served Poland as its capital city since the 16th century, a historic city and center
of Polish culture. For centuries it was one of Europe's major cities that drew prominence and
development. Out of many crises, World War II under Nazi occupation was an exceptional
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difficulty for Warsaw. Heinrich Himmler's statement : "Warsaw is to be leveled and thus
create a frightful example for the whole of Europe," show
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An executive member of the Nazi Party and
leading authority responsible for the Holocaust the ill intention of the Nazi when ravaging Warsaw and
its historic Old Town. The magnitude of the damage was
severe, physically destructing 68% of Warsaw, especially demolishing 80% of the Old Town
district, including the Royal Castle and the Cathedral of St. John.

On February 14, 1945, the Warsaw Reconstruction Office (BOS) was established to define losses
of Warsaw's building components and develop an urban concept for its reconstruction. The

BOS Archives contain irreplaceable historical sources documenting the activities undertaken
in 1945-1953 to rebuild the city of Warsaw from the rubble. Formed with collections that depict
the destruction and rebuilding of Warsaw, the Archives are collective memory consisting
of communications, drawings, technical documentation maps, plans, designs, sketches,
documents, and photographs — all that portray the scale of efforts undertaken after 1945 to
raise the city from ruin.

The detailed documentation collated by the BOS Archives provides significant insight to current
generations in various dimensions. On an international level, the reconstruction of Warsaw
is recognized as a positive example of overcoming the aftermaths of war. It was a moment
shedding the importance of heritage for shaping social identity and giving a new meaning to the
conservation of heritage monuments. In this respect, the reconstruction of Warsaw has become
a best practice for heritage preservation and influenced similar activities in many countries.

The Archives of Warsaw Reconstruction Office (BOS) is an eminent recording that enlightens
every city's various roles, such as being a safe and sustainable home and a hub for culture and
heritage. The reconstruction documents shed light on the strength of community and collective
action. The State Archive of Warsaw is currently working on scanning this archival collection

to preserve and enhance public access. Over 3,000 archival units have already been digitally
scanned, including almost all documentation describing the city's destruction.

Archive of

Warsaw Reconstruction Office