It is the oldest operating railway station in Poland. The station in Oława will soon be rebuilt! The railwaymen have published visualisations that show the transformation of the facility. Importantly, the railway station in Oława has been in operation since as far back as 1842. Now, 184 years after its construction, the time has come for a modern revamp, combining the preservation of cultural heritage with comfort and safety of use.
A historical journey in time
The railway station in Olawa has an extremely rich history. Its construction began on 6 June 1841, and it was completed just one year later – on 21 May 1842. The first impressive opening with a special route, with an orchestra and ornate decorations, attracted 400 invited guests. Over the years, the building underwent a number of modernisations – as early as the late 1850s, a three-axis pavilion was added to the building, and in 1884 a platform shelter based on steel and ironwork was extended. These historic changes became the foundation of the station’s identity, which today is a symbol of the development of railways in Silesia.
Combining tradition and modernity
The modern redevelopment project aims to adapt the station to the needs of today’s passengers and users of the building. Key aspects of the investment include the renovation of the façade. A legible inscription “Railway Station” will appear on the front on the city side, and the inscription “Oława” will appear on the track side. In addition, a clock will be placed on the façade to emphasise the historical identity of the building. The aesthetics of the inscription are to refer to the existing one.
This is how the building looks BEFORE the redevelopment:
The station will be transformed into a place that is friendly for all passengers. The railwaymen plan to remove architectural barriers, which will allow free access for people with reduced mobility. Guiding paths, Braille signs and disabled toilets will be installed. In addition, to increase energy efficiency, a BMS (Building Management System) will be installed to ensure optimum use of electricity, heat and water. Modern security systems – monitoring, access control and fire alarm systems – will ensure a high level of protection for both users and the building itself.
A significant part of the redevelopment includes the modernisation of the part of the building intended for the Oława local authority. Thanks to such solutions, the station will not only serve passenger transport, but will also become a centre of life for the local community.
Significance and future prospects
The investment, worth PLN 17 million gross, is being carried out under the ‘design and build’ formula by the Global Budownictwo Sp. z o.o. company from Częstochowa, and the work will be carried out under the close supervision of the conservation officer, which guarantees that the historical character of the building will be preserved. When the modernisation is completed, scheduled for the second half of 2026, the station will not only regain its former glory, but will also offer modern solutions that will affect the comfort of daily travel. Thanks to the careful renovation of both the façade and the internal infrastructure, Oława will become a place where tradition meets modernity and historical heritage interacts with an innovative approach to rail transport.
source: PKP S.A.
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