Wrocław Main Station
Encyclopedia
Wrocław Main Station is the biggest and most important passenger rail station of the southwestern Polish city of Wrocław. Built in the mid-19th century near the center of the city, until 1945 it was known as Breslau Hauptbahnhof. It also is the biggest rail station of Lower Silesia
, located at the junction of several important routes.
architect Wilhelm Grapow, and in the mid-19th century, it was located near the southern outskirts of the city, as the areas to the south had not been urbanized yet.
The original platform hall was located where now passenger hall is, and it was adjacent to the station complex. After construction was completed, in the mid-19th century, the station had only one platform, but the platform hall was some 200 meters long, and it was regarded as one of the biggest constructions of this kind in Europe
. Along side entrances, there were luggage storages, telephone and telegraph. In the station complex, there was a restaurant and three waiting rooms (1st, 2nd, and 3rd class). Also, there was a special room and a separate hallway for VIPs.
In the late 19th century, when the government of the German Empire
heavily invested in railroad construction, the station was extended. Also, prices of real estate around the station grew, as the city began to develop southwards. In 1899, construction of five new platforms began, with four of them covered by a large roof. The number of passenger rail tracks within the station grew to 13, and all platforms were elevated. The facade of the main hall was remodeled in the English style.
During World War II
Polish resistance from the group Zagra-Lin successfully attacked a Nazi Germany's troop transport on the station on 23 April 1943, a commemorative plate honouring their actions was placed after Nazi Germany was defeated and Breslau, together with Silesia, passed to Poland. When Wrocław was given to Poland after World War II, Breslau Hauptbahnhof was renamed to Wrocław Główny.
On 8 January 1967, the popular actor Zbigniew Cybulski
died on Platform 3. He was trying to jump into an already-departing train, but instead fell under its wheels. On the 30th anniversary of this event, Andrzej Wajda
unveiled a plaque on the platform in memory of Cybulski.
From 2010 the station has been under extensive refurbishment.
Lower Silesia
Lower Silesia ; is the northwestern part of the historical and geographical region of Silesia; Upper Silesia is to the southeast.Throughout its history Lower Silesia has been under the control of the medieval Kingdom of Poland, the Kingdom of Bohemia and the Austrian Habsburg Monarchy from 1526...
, located at the junction of several important routes.
Structure
Main gate is located north of the station, on Pilsudskiego street, with two additional entrances located on both ends of the main hall. Rear gate is placed behind the tracks, to the south, facing Sucha street. The station has five parallel platforms (platforms I through IV with two tracks, platform V with one track). Each platform has two underground exits, which lead to the main hall. Since all platforms and tracks are above the street level, the tunnels are located at the same level, as outside sidewalks.History
The station was built in 1855 - 1857, as the starting point of the Oberschlesische Eisenbahn (Upper Silesian Railway), as well as the Breslau - Posen - Glogau Railway. It replaced earlier complex of the Oberschlesischer Bahnhof (Upper Silesian Train Station, built 1841-1842). Its designer was Royal PrussianKingdom of Prussia
The Kingdom of Prussia was a German kingdom from 1701 to 1918. Until the defeat of Germany in World War I, it comprised almost two-thirds of the area of the German Empire...
architect Wilhelm Grapow, and in the mid-19th century, it was located near the southern outskirts of the city, as the areas to the south had not been urbanized yet.
The original platform hall was located where now passenger hall is, and it was adjacent to the station complex. After construction was completed, in the mid-19th century, the station had only one platform, but the platform hall was some 200 meters long, and it was regarded as one of the biggest constructions of this kind in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
. Along side entrances, there were luggage storages, telephone and telegraph. In the station complex, there was a restaurant and three waiting rooms (1st, 2nd, and 3rd class). Also, there was a special room and a separate hallway for VIPs.
In the late 19th century, when the government of the German Empire
German Empire
The German Empire refers to Germany during the "Second Reich" period from the unification of Germany and proclamation of Wilhelm I as German Emperor on 18 January 1871, to 1918, when it became a federal republic after defeat in World War I and the abdication of the Emperor, Wilhelm II.The German...
heavily invested in railroad construction, the station was extended. Also, prices of real estate around the station grew, as the city began to develop southwards. In 1899, construction of five new platforms began, with four of them covered by a large roof. The number of passenger rail tracks within the station grew to 13, and all platforms were elevated. The facade of the main hall was remodeled in the English style.
During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
Polish resistance from the group Zagra-Lin successfully attacked a Nazi Germany's troop transport on the station on 23 April 1943, a commemorative plate honouring their actions was placed after Nazi Germany was defeated and Breslau, together with Silesia, passed to Poland. When Wrocław was given to Poland after World War II, Breslau Hauptbahnhof was renamed to Wrocław Główny.
On 8 January 1967, the popular actor Zbigniew Cybulski
Zbigniew Cybulski
Zbigniew Cybulski was a Polish actor, one of the best-known and most popular personalities of the post-World War II history of Poland.-Life:...
died on Platform 3. He was trying to jump into an already-departing train, but instead fell under its wheels. On the 30th anniversary of this event, Andrzej Wajda
Andrzej Wajda
Andrzej Wajda is a Polish film director. Recipient of an honorary Oscar, he is possibly the most prominent member of the unofficial "Polish Film School"...
unveiled a plaque on the platform in memory of Cybulski.
From 2010 the station has been under extensive refurbishment.
Lines stemming from the station
- Wrocław - Kłodzko
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- Wrocław - Wałbrzych
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