This is one of the most beautiful railway stations in Poland. Gdańsk Główny railway station has just been opened after renovation. During the works, the brick façade was renewed and numerous details were renovated. The rich interior is impressive, looking as it did in the past. In addition, the facility gained modern solutions improving the comfort of use of the entire facility
The Gdańsk Główny railway station was renovated for almost four years. The works consumed PLN 120 million and were co-financed with EU funds from the Operational Programme Infrastructure and Environment. Thanks to the investment, the station, built between 1896 and 1900 in the style of the so-called Danzig Renaissance according to the design of architects Alexander Rüdell, Paul Thoemer and Georg Cunye, not only regained its historical character, but became a modern and comfortable space for serving travellers
An important part of the redevelopment of the station was conservation work. The original shape of the building was restored, with the pitched roofs with copper-clad turrets restored over the northern section. The station roof was covered with ceramic tiles with zigzags in yellow and green. The station’s 48-metre-high tower with clocks underwent renovation, as did numerous architectural details on the façade, including the coats of arms of Gdańsk located above the main entrance held by lions and above the large half-size escutcheon, as well as the coat of arms of Poland at the top of the front façade. The group of coats of arms on the façade facing the platforms also underwent restoration, as did the two winged axes – symbols of the railways – on top of the roof above the main lobby. Of course, there are more details that have regained their beauty. The overall effect was emphasised by the new illumination of the station
In addition to the richly decorated façade, a great deal of work was devoted to the interiors, in particular the station hall, which had been virtually stripped of architectural details as a result of the Second World War and in the 1960s. In addition to restoring the original colour scheme of the walls, the oak display windows of the ticket offices were restored, as well as the original door woodwork. After many years, the coats of arms of the Pomeranian towns also returned to the station! They were reproduced, based on archival material, on the south and north walls of the lobby, just above the pilasters (an architectural element in the form of a flat pillar, slightly protruding in front of the wall face). To the left of the entrance to the hall from the city side are the coats of arms of Gdańsk, Kwidzyn, Lębork and Szczecinek, and to the right of these are those of Kościerzyna, Słupsk, Tczew and Chojnice. The beauty of the station hall is added by reconstructed stained glass windows. They are not only large in size, made of cathedral glass, but also have a rich symbolism. The eastern stained glass window combines motifs symbolising the power and openness of the city of Gdańsk, while the western one shows the power of the railway. The side stained glass windows combine geometric patterns with floral motifs. The station is not only, however, a beautiful historical interior, but also a modern and functional space for serving travellers
Its most important part is the lobby, which also serves as a waiting area. It is surrounded – behind oak display windows – by ticket offices, the PKP Intercity customer service centre and the InfoDworzec. Several retail units will be located right next to the lobby, and more will be located in the passageway, to the left of the main entrance. On the ground floor and ground floor of the station, there will be a Railway Security Guard station in the southern part of the station
From the lobby, using two lifts and an escalator, we will get to level – 1. There is a spacious waiting room for parents with children (equipped with toys for children, poufs and a map with stations from all over Poland), toilets and premises for rent. From the underground level, we will go through a tunnel to the platforms (stairs, ramps) and towards the city centre – via a new passage connected to the tunnel under Podwale Grodzkie Street. The passenger service area at the station is fully air-conditioned. It is also equipped with electronic train arrival and departure boards and a new sound system
Architectural barriers have also been removed in and around the station building, making it fully accessible to people with disabilities
The station has also become more environmentally friendly and safe. Heat pumps were installed in the building in conjunction with air conditioning units, as well as energy-efficient lighting. In addition, there is a partial recovery of rainwater and the water used in the wash basins and showers, which, after purification, will be used for flushing toilets, among other things. Gdańsk Główny Railway Station is also equipped with an intelligent building management system that will optimise the use of electricity, heat and water. It is also worth mentioning the modern security systems, i.e. monitoring, access control or burglary and assault signalling system, as well as fire protection systems, including a sprinkler system
The reconstruction of Gdańsk Główny station also covered its immediate surroundings. The work consisted mainly in making a new pavement, as well as a driveway in front of the building, where kiss&ride places were marked out, intended for taxis and people with disabilities. In the near future, the temporary station will be dismantled, and immediately after its demolition, landscaping works will be completed
The reconstruction of Gdańsk Główny railway station is the largest investment implemented as part of the Station Investment Programme. The investor is the Polish State Railways S.A
source: PKP S.A
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