Józef Piłsudski University of Physical Education in Warsaw is a state school of pedagogical profile with full academic rights. It is not only the biggest academy of such kind in Poland, but also one of the biggest in Europe in the field of physical culture. It educates teachers of physical education, coaches and specialists in the field of rehabilitation, recreation and tourism, it is also a centre of scientific research and a sport centre. The Academy was established in 1929, following the initiative of Marshall Józef Piłsudski, as the Centralny Instytut Wychowania Fizycznego – CIWF (Central Institute of Physical Education), a military professional school. In 1935 the Institute was granted the name of the First Polish Marshall Józef Piłsudski; in 1938 CIWF was transformed into an academic school – the Józef Piłsudski Academy of Physical Education. During World War 2 the facilities and sport premises, laboratories and libraries were destroyed, and numerous lecturers, students and graduates were killed in the warfare. Reconstructed from wartime destruction, the Academy resumed once again its activity in 1946, and continued its dynamic development. Further to the decree of the Council of Ministers dated 27 July 1949 CIWF was transformed as a military vocational school into an academic school – Academy of Physical Education. In the academic year 1952/53 the Academy started extramural studies, and a year later 4-year master studies were introduced. Further to the Act of 8 June 1990 the old name was given back – the Józef Piłsudski Academy of Physical Education in Warsaw. In 1970 an external division of the Academy in Biała Podlaska, and in 1973 consultation units in Białystok, Lublin, Mielec, Łódź and Pruszków were established. In 1971 Instytut Naukowy Kultury Fizycznej (Scientific Institute of Physical Culture) was incorporated into the Academy; at the same time also Doctorate Studies and In-Service Training Classes were launched. In 1984 the Faculty of Movement Recreation, as well as Institute of Physical Education and Sport of the Academy in Łódź, which was then in 1991 joined to the structure of the Łódź University, were all set up The Academy, which is situated in the picturesque surroundings of the Bielany Forest (a nature reserve), has outstanding characteristic architecture of its educational facilities, built in the years 1928-1930 according to designs of E. Norwerth, as well as numerous didactic pavilions and sport facilities. In 2002 the Academy of Physical Education was entered into the register of monuments. The Academy issues such scientific periodicals, as: “Scientific Annuals”, quarterly magazine “Physical Education and Sport” and “Advances in Rehabilitation”, a bi-monthly “Physical Culture”, as well as various studies and monographs, textbooks and printed summaries of course lectures; it organises seminars, symposiums, conventions and conferences – both at national and international levels; teaching and didactic contacts are being maintained with numerous universities and scientific centres in Poland and abroad; the staff of the Academy is working in scientific societies, organisations and sport associations in Poland and on the international arena; the activities of the Academy’s staff affects directly fields in the development of sciences related to physical culture, education of its staff, as well as the development of Polish competitive sport.