Founded in 1851 by Karl Ernst (Karol Ernest) Wedel (1813-1902), the company and its products became known in most of Central and Eastern Europe. The logo of the company is based on Karol Wedel's signature.
Willy Wonka
His son Emil Albert Fryderyk Wedel (1841-1919) apprenticed in candy and chocolate factories in Western Europe before inheriting and expanding his father's business. His descendant Jan Wedel (d. 1960), the last member of the Wedel family to own the company, was considered "the Willy Wonka" of pre-war Poland. In 1894 the company moved its main factory from Szpitalna street in Warsaw.
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| Szpitalna street |
I regularly go for a walk in Warsaw downtown (Śródmieście district) after Polish lessons. There I took the above picture and only after a long time I realized that there is a huge zebra on top of the building.
In 1934, during the time of the Great Depression, Jan Wedel opened a second factory in Warsaw's Praga district.
We also were there during an Ogórek tour (old school bus, more about that later).
Social welfare
We also were there during an Ogórek tour (old school bus, more about that later).
Social welfare
The company was also known for its very generous social welfare policies. As one of the first in Europe, it had its own creche, kindergarten, hospital and cafeteria, and rewarded its best employees with no-interest housing loans; its model was highly acclaimed by the Polish Socialist Party. Prior to World War II, Wedel became a successful private company, with shops in London and Paris.
WWII
WWII
The company managed to continue production during the first few years of the war; it also started producing basic food such as bread for starving Warsaw, and was the site of the underground teaching. Despite the family's German ancestry Wedel refused to collaborate with the Germans, and did not sign the Volksliste; increasingly this led to him and his employees being persecuted by the Nazis. The war devastated Poland and the company; the buildings at Warsaw were destroyed during the Warsaw Uprising.
Post war
After the war, Wedel rebuilt the factory, only to have the communist government nationalize the company. The Wedel plant itself was renamed '22 Lipca' (22 July) after the Communist 'Independence Day' (PKWN Manifesto), although even the communists chose to retain the Wedel brand name, with products bearing both the new and old logos. The company was reprivatized in 1989 after the fall of communism in Poland and still is very popular.
Nice souvenir
Post war
After the war, Wedel rebuilt the factory, only to have the communist government nationalize the company. The Wedel plant itself was renamed '22 Lipca' (22 July) after the Communist 'Independence Day' (PKWN Manifesto), although even the communists chose to retain the Wedel brand name, with products bearing both the new and old logos. The company was reprivatized in 1989 after the fall of communism in Poland and still is very popular.
Nice souvenir
If you ever get a chance to visit Warsaw, I recommend to visit a Wedel 'pijalnia', where you can enjoy a nice hot chocolate (strong and intense) and buy a customized 'torcik wedlowski' if you would like.
All of them being decorated by hand, so also the mass produced ones. Not one of them is a 100% the same. However, the workers are so skillful that you would need a microscope to spot differences on some of them.
On the customized ones they sell in their 'pijalnia' shops they hand decorate its top with liquid chocolate. You can choose a custom design or for instance have names added.
My father and sister love Torcik Wedlowski. I always try to take one if I visit the Netherlands. It's like a giant KitKat but thicker, more chocolate less sweet.
The former factory, now 'pijalnia' with the zebra on its roof is in downtown, Szpitalna street. A very nice area to walk around and have a break at Wedel.
When you leave, take the route on your right hand side, second left and enjoy walking the small streets.
Or just take the first left if you want to experience a million dollar view with the Palace Of Culture and Science towering above anything else. It's hard to catch a view on camera sometimes, but I think you can imagine the view while walking this street, stunning at the least.
Check out my blogpost about the Palace
Here
All of them being decorated by hand, so also the mass produced ones. Not one of them is a 100% the same. However, the workers are so skillful that you would need a microscope to spot differences on some of them.
On the customized ones they sell in their 'pijalnia' shops they hand decorate its top with liquid chocolate. You can choose a custom design or for instance have names added.
My father and sister love Torcik Wedlowski. I always try to take one if I visit the Netherlands. It's like a giant KitKat but thicker, more chocolate less sweet.
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| Tina also loves Wedel |
When you leave, take the route on your right hand side, second left and enjoy walking the small streets.
Or just take the first left if you want to experience a million dollar view with the Palace Of Culture and Science towering above anything else. It's hard to catch a view on camera sometimes, but I think you can imagine the view while walking this street, stunning at the least.
Check out my blogpost about the Palace
Here
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