The building standing at the Będzin Miasto railway station is a special structure, being the first station in the country to be built entirely in the spirit of modernism. The building was put into use in 1931 as a manifesto of modernity in the times of the reborn Second Polish Republic. Edgar Norwert’s design set new standards for the design of public buildings, moving away from historicist forms in favour of functional simplicity and geometric discipline.
The legacy of the Warsaw-Vienna Railway
The beginnings of railways in this part of the region date back to the mid-19th century. In 1858, a branch line of the famous Warsaw-Vienna Railway was laid, connecting Ząbkowice with what was then Prussian Silesia. The original station in Będzin was a small, partly wooden building. With the dynamic development of the city, the existing facility ceased to meet the growing needs and ambitions of the local community.
Będzin City – the vision of Edgar Norwerth and Stanisław Hempel
The design for the new station was created in 1927. Its author was the eminent architect Edgar Norwerth, a professor and theorist educated in Switzerland and Russia. The innovative engineering concepts were developed by Stanisław Hempel, a pioneer of bold steel and concrete structures. The investment, covering an area of nearly 5,000 square metres, quickly encountered financial and land obstacles, which delayed the grand opening by two years compared to the original plans.
Geometry and functionality of the structure
The architecture of the station impresses with its composition of interlocking cuboids. The clock tower dominates the whole, and the characteristic, protruding roof over the entrance adds lightness to the structure. The building resembles a precise jigsaw puzzle in which each element plays a specific role. The use of brick and reinforced concrete has resulted in a raw yet elegant appearance that stands out from the traditional buildings of Będzin.
Będzin Miasto as a pearl of modernism
The Będzin Miasto railway station has also had its difficult times. Decades of post-war neglect led to the building falling into a deplorable state, and it was not until 2006 that a thorough renovation began. The work focused, among other things, on repairing the roof, replacing the woodwork and adapting the interior to contemporary standards. Currently, the station’s interior is not very aesthetically pleasing, but fortunately, everything can be repaired. Whatever one may say about its outdated design, the building is bustling with life in an unconventional way. In addition to serving passengers on regional and long-distance trains, the building is also home to several institutions, a library and a café.
Source: slazag.pl, miastarytm.pl
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