The statue of Maria Curie-Skłodowska, stands of the square of her name, surrounded by the buildings of the University of Maria Skłodowska-Curie. The statue by Marian Konieczny, was unveiled on the centenary of her birth (1867-1934). The scientist was connected to Lublin and the Lublin region through the family ties. Her grandfather was Józef Skłodowski, the headmaster of the Lublin Province School (see: stop 13). His brother Jan was a judge in Opole Lubelskie, and his son, also named Jan, was the tenant of land in Kamionka near Lubartów. Maria's uncle, Zdzisław Skłodowski, served as an aide-de-camp for colonel Marcin Borelowski-Lelewel and fought in the Lublin Region during January Uprising. Maria used to spend her summer holidays with her uncle Ksawery who was the tenant of the Zawieprzyce manor. In 1930 she visited Lublin and signed the memorial book in the cathedral.

Life and scientific achievements of the university's patron is an example to follow not only for Polish science environment. As a graduate and an employee of Sorbonne, Maria became internationally famous due to publishing of the results of her extensive research on the radioactivity of elements. For the discovery of polonium and radium she received the Nobel prize in physics and chemistry twice, first, in 1903, together with her husband Peter, and for the second time, in 1911, individually. Her daughter, Irena Joliot-Curie together with her husband Frédéric, was distinguished with a honorary doctorate of the University of Maria Curie-Skłodowska. The university was established on the initiative of professor Henryk Raabe, the school's first rector. For decades the University of Maria Curie-Skłodowska has become one of the biggest and the most important universities in Poland.