The Leszno railway station, one of the key transport hubs of Wielkopolska, is a building with a rich history and architecture that reflects changing trends over the decades. From its construction in 1857 in the English Neo-Gothic style, to its modernist reconstruction in the 1960s, to its contemporary modifications – each era has left its mark on the site.
The first station building in Leszno was constructed in 1857 in the English Neo-Gothic style, probably according to a design by the architect Wilhelm Grapow. The design included a spacious corridor, a large waiting room and rooms such as a ticket office, telegraph office, buffet, and service flats on the first floor. It was a small but picturesque building with distinctive turrets and a wealth of architectural detail.
The railway station in 1910. Source: archives.gov.pl
In 1899, the station underwent its first expansion in response to increasing passenger numbers. The next, much larger modernisation took place in 1905, when the Germans added annexes to the east and west, increasing the waiting area for passengers of different classes. The ceiling of the main hall was also raised, lit by a tripartite window in the south façade. This rebuilding of the station was the largest during the Partition period, contributing to a complete change in the face of the front of the edifice, considerably widened compared to the original.
Leszno railway station in 1910 and today. Source: Museums of Wielkopolska and Lucaok, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
During World War II, the German occupiers expanded the station for military use, using Polish workers. At that time, some of the window openings were re-bricked, others were turned into doors, but the building still retained its picturesque appearance referring to English Neo-Gothic and arcade style, with turrets and crenellation. After 1945, the station building continued to serve its original function, and further modernisations were carried out inside, adapting the building to new railway requirements and changing passenger needs. However, the external form, retaining the characteristic silhouette and styling developed during the reconstruction at the beginning of the 20th century, remained unchanged. In this condition, the building survived until the late 1960s.
View from the platform at the beginning of the 20th century and today. Source: Museums of Wielkopolska and Lucaok, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Leszno railway station at the beginning of the 20th century and today. Source: Museums of Wielkopolska and Lucaok, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
In 1968 it was decided to demolish the old neo-Gothic building. Between 1969 and 1971, a modern, modernist station with a cubic shape was built in its place. The new building, made of concrete and glass, differed significantly from its predecessor. The redevelopment also included the creation of a tunnel connecting the platforms and the expansion of catering facilities, ticket offices and waiting rooms. The official opening of the modernist station took place on 30 October 1971. As part of the ceremony, a plaque was unveiled to commemorate the railway workers of the Leszno junction who died during the Second World War.
The Leszno railway station building in the 1980s and today. Author: M. Raczkowski. Source: antipuszka/fotopolska.eu and Travelarz, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The station in 2007 and 2017. Photo by Lucaok, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Between 2010 and 2012, Leszno railway station underwent another thorough modernisation. At that time, the modernist body of the building was preserved, but the appearance of the façade was changed, among others, by covering most of the glazing on the first floor, which made the building lose its former lightness. The interiors have also been modernised: new ticket offices have been created, including disabled access, a shopping area and a waiting room. Ticket machines, lifts and automatic doors were also installed. A lookout point was installed on the first floor and the usable area of the station is now 2482.9 square metres. The cost of the modernisation was PLN 13.7 million.
Along with the modernisation of the station, the square in front of the building was also renovated. New paving stones were laid, lighting was installed, a cycle path and bus and taxi bays were built. The station square was put into use in July 2011.
Source: zabytki.leszno.pl, leszno.naszemiasto.pl
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