There are about 400 kapliczkas scattered around Warsaw — small religious buildings depicting Jesus Christ, the Virgin Mary or Catholic saints. They are located in the courtyards of apartment houses, in arches, and on stairwells. Although kaplickas and roadside crosses appeared in Poland with the advent of Christianity, most of Warsaw’s shrines originated during World War II. The city was under curfew, and religious holidays were canceled. The people, unable to attend the evening service in churches and fearing shelling, built small shrines in their yards. The kaplichkas were a place to bring people together, an opportunity to gather for prayer under occupation. There were myths about their miraculous power around the kaplichkas in those years. According to one legend, on Narbutta Street in the Old Mokotów neighborhood, during the shelling, only those who were praying near the kapliczka survived. 

Most of these structures are not included in the municipal register of monuments, so they are not formally considered monuments. This means that only the residents of the houses protect them and decorate them with artificial or live flowers, illumination and candles. 

In recent years, interest in the kapliczkas has increased due to tourists and young visiting residents. Due to this, real estate developers often preserve old shrines during renovations or relocate them to another location. Despite this, some of the kapliczkas have been destroyed or are in critical condition because the authorities do not fully understand their cultural and social value.