Podkowa Leśna

Podkowa Leśna
Podkowa Leśna
	Horseshoe and Tree
	Coat of arms
	Podkowa Leśna
	Coordinates: 52°7′N 20°44′E / 52.117°N 20.733°E
Country	Poland
Voivodship	Masovian
County	Grodzisk Mazowiecki
Gmina	Podkowa Leśna (urban gmina)
Established	19th century
Town rights	1969
Government
• Mayor	Artur Tusiński
Area
• Total	10.1 km2 (3.9 sq mi)
Population (2008)
• Total	3,822
• Density	380/km2 (980/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code	05-807
Area code	+48 22
Car plates	WGM
Website	http://www.podkowalesna.pl

Podkowa Leśna [pɔtˈkɔva ˈlɛɕna] (literal meaning – "Forest Horseshoe", in full: Miasto-ogród Podkowa Leśna – "Garden-City Podkowa Leśna") is a town in Grodzisk Mazowiecki County, Masovian Voivodeship of Poland and located within the territory of the Młochowskie Forests. Town status – since 1 January 1969. The town also has the status of gmina, meaning "commune". Population – ca. 4000.

Founded in 1925. On 1 September 1939 bombs fell on Podkowa Leśna that the Luftwaffe had intended for Warsaw. On 17 January 1945 the Soviets entered Podkowa Leśna.

Located in a beautiful setting not far from Warsaw, the town has an interesting collection of villas dating back to the interwar period, along with newly built modern family homes and mansions. Forests surround the city on three sides from the east, south, and north. Peacocks freely wonder around the town. It is considered by some to be "Warsaw's bedroom" given its relaxing, natural environment and close proximity to the capital of Poland, Warsaw.

The town was designed in 1925 by Anthony Jawornicki and is based on the principles of the Garden city movement.^[1] Its growth was aided by the construction of the Warsaw Commuter Railway in 1927 which has 3 stations located in the town. Due to the town being served by this light railway line, it is easily accessed from central Warsaw.

It is historically has attracted residents from the arts, culture and politics and is increasingly popular with wealthy professionals and business people. The town is one of the wealthiest in Poland.^[2]

Town layout

There is a small town centre consisting of numerous amenities such as a church, bank, post office, wine shop, numerous delicatessens, police station, veterinarian and numerous restaurants. Just beyond the edge of the forest to the North West is a modern shopping centre called "Galeria Podkowa".^[3]

There are 3 schools in the town, junior, primary and high school.

Horseshoe street layout and large forest to the south
Offices for the Town Council
St Christopher Church
The Hungarian 1956 Uprising, XXXth Anniversary commemorating plate, at Podkowa Leśna St Christopher Church, Poland, photo of 11 May 2024
The Hungarian Warriors tombs at Podkowa Leśna cemetery, Poland, photo of 11 May 2024
A restaurant in Podkowa Leśna
The main station in Podkowa Lesna on the WKD line

Popular culture

The 2021 movie "In For a Murder" was set in Podkowa Leśna^[4]

Smart City

In 2018, Podkowa Leśna was selected as an model Orange Smart City.^[5] Fibre to the property FTTP is available to residents and offers speeds of up to 1 GB/s

Gallery

Typical large plot property in Podkowa Leśna
A villa in Podkowa Leśna
WKD train heading off to Warsaw
Street in Podkowa Leśna
Jarosław Iwaszkiewicz, Jerzy Rytard, Anna Iwaszkiewiczowa, Jerzy Liebert in Podkowa Leśna, 1925
side street with mature trees
Side street with mature trees
Sledding in Podkowa Leśna, Feb., 2010
Grounds of the Church
The Tomb of The Unknown Home Army Warriors near The Dębak Forester's Lodge (at the neighbouring "Lasy Młochowskie" area), photograph of 6 April 2014