On January 13, 2016, a group of activists from the organization “Powietrze dla Krakowa” (“Clean Air for Kraków”), unveiled a monument dedicated to the Cracovians who died due to the smog over Kraków. 

For years, Kraków has been inundated with thick, smelly smog. Concerned citizens and other groups have been trying to draw attention to the issue for decades. One environmental group came up with the idea to construct a monument honoring those that perished.  It would serve as a reminder to politicians of the countless deaths across Poland due to air pollution.

Since its installation, reforms made by the local government have improved the air quality, although it will not bring back the lives of those who perished due to the smog. 

The plaque is in Polish only and translates to: “In the memory of over 6000 fallen Cracovian citizens, whose death was caused by smog in the years 2000-2015. They could have been saved”