Postcard from the People's Republic of Poland: The Destroyed Prudential Hotel/Napoleon Square

This postcard shows the ruined Prudential Hotel on what was then Napoleon Square (now Warsaw Insurgents Square) in Warsaw. The building, one of the symbols of the destruction of the capital following the Warsaw Uprising, bears clear signs of shelling and fires, and the ruins of surrounding buildings are visible in the background. The postcard is part of a postwar series documenting the scale of Warsaw’s destruction and serves as valuable visual material reminding us of the dramatic events of 1944.
On the back is a handwritten note: “Warsaw, September 10, 1948. Dear Ms. Basieńka! I am here among happy people; you cannot imitate their expressions and their kindness. The conditions are wonderful. Everyone is so kind and friendly. I’m living in a lovely place—three cozy little rooms with all the comforts, and furniture like in a palace. I’m delighted, though the air quality is rather poor; I often think of you, and you of me. Thank you for your smile, your kind words, and your photograph; please write to me, even if it’s just a few words. Big hugs. Hanka Address: Ms. Barbara Sikorzanka, Katowice, 30 Kościuszki St., C.Z.P.P.W. – Planning Department”
Dimensions: 9 cm x 14 cm.
Overall condition as shown in the photos.