Solec

A village on the Vistula’s left bank, near a passage from Kamion, guarded by the castle in Jazdów. It was probably established in the 12th century along the road by the river leading from the Tamka escarpment and gorge towards the pier. Barges with goods came here sailing along the Vistula from the south to the north. Among many other goods, salt from Wieliczka was transported by water and salt warehouses were located by the riverbank. The name of the village Solec comes from the Polish word ‘of salt’ and the road along the river was initially called Szolecka. From the 14th century the Solec lands belonged to Old Warsaw. The village was threatened with frequent flooding. Before the 15th century, the current of the frequently changing riverbed broke away part of Solec, creating the Solec Kępa, later to become Saska Kępa, and probably drowned some of the dwellings. However, the village was growing and gradually changed into a township. In 1675 the Solec jurydyka was formed. Tradesmen, traders, those working on the river transport and nobility lived here. At the turn of the 18th century the Trinitarian church and monastery were built. At the beginning of the 18th century there were 5,000 inhabitants here. Eleven streets were established, including Solec, Czerniakowska, Okrąg, Smolna, Rozbrat and Szara which exist till today, as well as Górna, Naprawa, Przypust, Karpia and Męczna which have disappeared without a trace. There was a wooden town hall on the Solec Market and a salt warehouse nearby. There were small industrial works, including ten starch factories, two soap and candle factories, eight breweries, numerous workshops, and 61 taverns and eight soup-kitchens some of which were for rafters. In the second half of the 18th century several properties for magnates were built here, including a small Szymonowicz palace and the palace of Kazimierz Poniatowski, the king’s brother. At the end of the 18th century Solec jurydyka was incorporated into Warsaw. In about 1800 new salt warehouses were erected between Solec and Okrąg Street. Over time other workshops were established such as brickworks and tanneries. In the first half of the 19th century the Solec district had an industrial character. The Steam Machine Factory, Steam Navigation Works, Steam Mill, and Rugs and Carpets Factory were set up. Solec became a suburb densely populated with workers, traders, administrators and Jews associated with trade on the Vistula. At the beginning of the 20th century industry on Solec was taken over by building housing. After the Poniatowski Bridge was built public buildings were built and the suburb acquired a more representative character.