Exhibition
Exhibition: "On the Way to the Homeland: The Return of Brig. Gen. Józef Giza (1887–1965) to the Sącz Region"
Starting October 9, 2026, the Museum of the Sącz Region invites visitors to an exhibition dedicated to Brigadier General Józef Giza—a distinguished Polish Army commander and veteran of both world wars who maintained strong ties to his native Sącz region. The exhibition accompanies an event of great significance to the history of Nowy Sącz: sixty-one years after his death, the general’s remains are returning to his hometown. Funeral ceremonies are scheduled for October 11, 2026, when the general will be laid to rest in the family tomb at St. Helena’s Cemetery in Nowy Sącz.
The exhibition features richly illustrated panels depicting the general’s life—his military career, his service in both world wars, and his post-war years in exile. Numerous archival items are on display, including photographs from his family life and military service, identification cards, diplomas, certificates, medals, decorations, regimental badges, and other memorabilia documenting his life story.
A particularly valuable part of the exhibition consists of items from the Sącz Land Museum’s collections, displayed as part of the permanent exhibition:
• A general’s "battle dress" uniform (1940–1945), featuring preserved rank insignia and ribbon bars.
• A general’s greatcoat (1940–1945), bearing Polish military insignia.
• The garrison *rogatywka* (peaked cap) of Colonel Józef Giza, worn prior to his promotion to the rank of general.
• A Sam Browne-style leather officer’s belt.
• The cap of Cadet Mieczysław Giza—the general’s son and a student at Cadet Corps No. 1 in Lwów—who was killed in action in September 1939.
Colonel Józef Giza’s uniform, greatcoat, and *rogatywka* are part of a collection of family memorabilia donated to the Sącz museum in 2013.
• A general’s "battle dress" uniform (1940–1945), featuring preserved rank insignia and ribbon bars.
• A general’s greatcoat (1940–1945), bearing Polish military insignia.
• The garrison *rogatywka* (peaked cap) of Colonel Józef Giza, worn prior to his promotion to the rank of general.
• A Sam Browne-style leather officer’s belt.
• The cap of Cadet Mieczysław Giza—the general’s son and a student at Cadet Corps No. 1 in Lwów—who was killed in action in September 1939.
Colonel Józef Giza’s uniform, greatcoat, and *rogatywka* are part of a collection of family memorabilia donated to the Sącz museum in 2013.
Born on March 3, 1887, in Dąbrówka Polska near Nowy Sącz, he was a graduate of the Jan Długosz Imperial-Royal First Higher Gymnasium. He served in World War I and the Polish-Bolshevik War. During the interwar period, he served in units such as the 1st Podhale Rifles Regiment in Nowy Sącz, and commanded the 3rd Podhale Rifles Regiment in Bielsko as well as the Upper Silesian National Defence Brigade.
During the September Campaign of 1939, he served as the divisional infantry commander of the 55th Infantry Division. During World War II, he served in the Polish Armed Forces in the West, commanding units including the 5th Vilnius Infantry Brigade and the 7th Infantry Division. On September 25, 1944, he was promoted to the rank of brigadier general.
After the war, he settled in London, where he died on August 16, 1965.
During the September Campaign of 1939, he served as the divisional infantry commander of the 55th Infantry Division. During World War II, he served in the Polish Armed Forces in the West, commanding units including the 5th Vilnius Infantry Brigade and the 7th Infantry Division. On September 25, 1944, he was promoted to the rank of brigadier general.
After the war, he settled in London, where he died on August 16, 1965.
On May 27, 1914, he married Wiktoria Szkaradek (1899–1986). They had four children: a daughter, Maria (1921–2021)—a Home Army liaison officer—and three sons: Mieczysław (1920–1939), who fell in the September Campaign near Radłów, Kazimierz, and Tadeusz.
Subsequent generations of his family have kept the memory of the general alive. His daughter, Maria Giza-Podgórska, dedicated a book to her father titled *Z Sącza rodem. Wspomnienia córki generała Józefa Gizy* ("A Native of Sącz: Memoirs of General Józef Giza’s Daughter"). His grandsons, Jerzy Giza and Tomasz Podgórski, have authored historical publications dedicated to his life and activities.
Subsequent generations of his family have kept the memory of the general alive. His daughter, Maria Giza-Podgórska, dedicated a book to her father titled *Z Sącza rodem. Wspomnienia córki generała Józefa Gizy* ("A Native of Sącz: Memoirs of General Józef Giza’s Daughter"). His grandsons, Jerzy Giza and Tomasz Podgórski, have authored historical publications dedicated to his life and activities.
