Warsaw transformed into 19th-century film set for new adaptation of Polish classic 'The Doll’

Warsaw’s historic Krakowskie Przedmieście has been turned into a spectacular 19th-century cityscape for a new film adaptation of 'The Doll’, the celebrated novel by Bolesław Prus – the pen name of Polish writer Aleksander Głowacki.

Krakowskie Przedmieście in Warsaw has been transformed into a 19th-century cityscape for the filming of The Doll.Photo: Monika Piorun/Radio Poland

Filming began on October 9 and will continue until October 22, bringing horse-drawn carriages, period costumes, shopfronts, and even a replica of the famous Wokulski store to the heart of the Polish capital.

 Visitors can glimpse the meticulous set design that transforms the Polish capital into a historic backdrop.Photo: Monika Piorun/Radio Poland

For those lucky enough to get close to the set, the most striking detail is the street surface itself – modern roads have been overlaid to appear as the cobbled, horse-friendly streets of 19th-century Warsaw.

 Horse-drawn carriages, vintage costumes, and shopfronts create an authentic 19th-century atmosphere.Photo: Monika Piorun/Radio Poland

The production has temporarily closed parts of the street, causing disruptions for residents, students, and commuters. Still, many say the transformation is worth the inconvenience to see Warsaw’s elegant past recreated in such detail.

Modern streets of the Polish capital transformed into horse-friendly 19th-century lanes

Residents of nearby buildings have been asked to avoid using bright lights or placing modern items on their windowsills during filming.

Some shops and cafés have received compensation for temporary closures, while others remain open with limited access.

 Production designers carefully overlaid modern streets to look like horse-friendly lanes of the past. Photo: Monika Piorun/Radio Poland Photo: Monika Piorun/Radio Poland

Visitors, however, are encouraged to stop by and photograph the stunning set – a rare glimpse of Warsaw as it looked more than a century ago.

The film is directed by Maciej Kawalski, with production design by Katarzyna Sobańska, Marcel Sławiński, and Anna Mocny – all acclaimed figures in Polish cinema.

Photo: Monika Piorun/Radio Poland

The cast features Marcin Dorociński as Stanisław Wokulski, Kamila Urzędowska as Izabela Łęcka, and Marek Kondrat as Ignacy Rzecki, alongside Agata Kulesza, Andrzej Seweryn, and Cezary Żak.

Meanwhile, a separate Netflix series adaptation of the novel is also in development, featuring a different cast of actors.

Lalka/Gigant Films

(mp) Radio Poland