A new mural has appeared at the Norblin Factory in Warsaw, commemorating the industrial roots of the Wola district. The work by Jarosław Zuzga, titled “Wola Fabr.”, is a tribute to the local factories and their workers – those who, for decades, built the strength of the capital’s industry.

Installed on the eastern wall of one of the historic Norblin Factory buildings at Żelazna 51/53, the 33.5 m² mural features a composition of selected historical logos and trademarks of key factories that once operated in Wola – from major plants to smaller workshops. These graphic elements are inscribed within the outline of the modern district, creating a symbolic map of its industrial DNA. The mural adorns a building from the 1920s–1930s, which served as a measuring and laboratory facility (Burdening Hall) until the factory’s closure in 1981.

The piece was created by Jarosław Zuzga – graphic designer, photographer, Warsaw history enthusiast, and author of the book “Wola. People and Stories.” For years, he has documented the history of this part of the city through his blog Okno na Warszawę. “I wanted to create more than an illustration – this is a story about working people, the factories that no longer exist, and a district that is still transforming. It’s also a nod to the fascinating design of old Wola factory logos,” says the artist.

“Wola Fabr. is yet another expression of our commitment to preserving Wola’s industrial legacy. It tells the story of a district identity that continues to live on, despite urban transformation – and one we are proud to nurture,” adds Artur Setniewski, Director of the Norblin Factory Museum.

The mural is under the honorary patronage of the Mayor of Wola District.

“I’m glad to see Wola honoring its past. Wola Fabr. is not only a piece of art but an important symbol of our shared history and identity,” says Krzysztof Strzałkowski, Mayor of Wola.

The new mural is part of the broader cultural and educational mission of the Norblin Factory Museum – a space where Warsaw’s industrial heritage is told through architecture, preserved machinery, silver-plated wares, and stories of the people and families who once powered its factories. The mural was produced by the Warsaw-based studio IDEAMO, which specializes in artistic and culture-oriented mural projects.

This is the fourth large-scale mural on the Norblin Factory premises. Earlier projects include:

• A mural based on Edward Dwurnik’s painting “Norblin Works”, created on the southern wall of the former metallurgical lab building at the corner of Żelazna and Prosta Streets. The project was overseen by the Edward Dwurnik Foundation, led by his daughter, visual artist Pola Dwurnik.
• Pola Dwurnik’s own monumental painting inspired by the factory’s products, now located on level -1 of the Plater building.
• A mural based on a work by Tytus Brzozowski – a well-known painter, architect, and admirer of Warsaw’s history and architecture – depicting Norblin Factory and the city in his signature whimsical style (located on level -2).

More about the mural: https://muzeumfabrykinorblina.pl/en/wola-fabr-mural/