Olsztyn Główny is the new railway station that replaced the old building. The modern body is designed to be reminiscent of a sail, with large glazing giving the building a light appearance. The station’s platforms have been given a new quality, which is expected to improve the comfort of use of the entire facility. Details such as the mosaic from the previous railway station, which has been moved to the current lobby, are interesting.
The residents of Olsztyn have waited many years for the investment to be realised. There was quite a long discussion, with some praising the old building and pointing to the need for modernisation, and others leaning towards the construction of a completely new building. The latter option won out, the results of which we can see today.
The new Olsztyn Główny railway station is already the fourth main station in the history of the city. The first was built in 1872, and passengers using it could travel towards Toruń. The second station was already built in 1945-48 on the basis of the ruins of the first building. The third one, which served passengers until recently, was opened in 1971. It was a modernist complex combining the railway and bus station halls and a several-storey office building. Over the years, however, the complex has lost its charm. The fourth station, on the other hand, is intended to meet the modern needs of passengers and facilitate their use of public transport. An important aspect of the investment was the construction of a new tunnel under the station and platforms, which connects the two parts of the city previously separated by tracks.
This significantly facilitates and improves the comfort of travel for the growing number of passengers who use Olsztyn Central Station. According to information from the Railway Transport Office, in 2023 the station handled an average of 9,500 passengers per day, 700 more passengers than in the previous year. The new Olsztyn railway station is a comfortable space both for the residents of Olsztyn and for tourists visiting the capital of Warmia and Mazury in large numbers, says Paweł Lisiewicz, a member of the management board of PKP S.A.
This is how the station looked in 2014:
The station building was constructed on a trapezoidal plan. Its silhouette resembles a sail, which is a reference to the character of the lakes-rich Warmia and Masuria. The front elevation features a large clock, and just below it – in accordance with the recommendations of the conservation officer – the neon sign ‘Dworzec Kolejowy’, which originated from the previous station. The historic illuminated sign, which is more than 18 metres long and consists of 12 letters, each 123 centimetres high, has been renovated. This is not the only historical element that has found its way into the new building – in the station’s lobby we can also see a mosaic moved from the previous station and a plaque with the history of the station.
The new station is a modernist building with three storeys – one underground and two above ground. The passenger service space occupies two floors. Tickets can be purchased in the underground, where there are also toilets and a traveller’s area. A lobby with access to the waiting area and an area for parents with children is designed on the ground floor. There are retail and service outlets on both levels. Here you can buy snacks for the road, baked goods or coffee.
The second ground floor will be occupied by office space. In the station building, premises have been provided for railway companies and organisations such as the Railway Guard, WARS, TK Telekom, PKP Intercity and POLREGIO. On the other hand, in the underground section there is a passageway leading to the platforms and further towards the Zatorze district.
In the design of the new station, attention was paid to eliminating architectural barriers. The building has been adapted to the needs of people with disabilities. Thanks to the use of numerous modern technical solutions and intelligent management systems, the Olsztyn Główny station building has become environmentally friendly and energy-efficient. On the roof of the building, the largest photovoltaic installation among Polish railway stations was installed, consisting of 746 panels with a minimum power of 276 kWp. Inside, ventilation with heat recovery and energy-efficient LED lighting were installed, all supported by a management system optimising heat, electricity and water consumption.
A historic detail in the station hall:
The space in front of the station has also undergone modernisation. A representative urban square has been created with pedestrian routes, ramps and stairs leading to an underground walkway that connects to level -1 of the building. On the west side, there is a surface car park with 58 parking spaces, including 43 for cars, 4 for people with disabilities, 2 charging bays for electric vehicles, as well as kiss&ride zones, deliveries, a taxi rank and a bus bay. On the eastern side, a bicycle shelter was designed to accommodate 80 unicycles. In the central part of the square there is a recreational space with greenery and resting areas.
At the modernised Olsztyn Główny station, travellers gained the expected comfort of service. Four platforms have been rebuilt, making it more comfortable to board trains bound for Warsaw, the Tricity, Ełk, Iława, Braniewo or Szczytno. The covered platforms have an anti-slip surface, benches, new lighting, information showcases and clear signage to facilitate movement around the station. Train departures are indicated by displays.
source: PKP S.A.
photos: PKP S.A., TORPOL S.A.
architectural design: TPF Sp. z o.o.
contractor: Torpol S.A.
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