Katowice 2024-04-13

Geographic coordinates: 50.257N 19.017E. Elevation 271 m.

After World War II.

The station had seven platforms. Access to Platform 6 and Platform 7 was from Wojewódzka Street. A tunnel led to the remaining platforms. However, only one platform could accept long passenger trains.

In the 1950s, the electrification of the railways in Upper Silesia began. The initial goal was to electrify the Katowice – Warsaw route. On June 1, 1957, the Gliwice – Katowice – Sosnowiec Główny route was electrified. The entire route to Warsaw was electrified by 1958. As a result, the fastest EZT train covered the distance Katowice – Warsaw in 3 hours 27 minutes. The commercial speed was 92.2 km/h.

Katowice station. 1972.

After World War II, the station turned out to be too small. The main hall of the station could only accommodate 1,500 passengers. The tunnel under the tracks and platforms was narrow. Building a separate freight station to the west did not help much. A new locomotive shed with a rectangular hall was built there.

The plan to build a new station was made in 1955. But there were many problems to solve. Firstly, the old station could not be liquidated. Secondly, there was a large freight traffic, attempts were made to redirect it to the Katowice Muchowiec station, which was only partially successful. There were several proposals, including building a new station in the place where the Katowice Załęże passenger stop is now. However, this was the most expensive solution, because in addition to the station, the entire road system would have to be built. Let us remember that the socialist economy was poorly managed by the communists. Therefore, it was decided to build a new station only 500 m further west. For the new station, it was decided to demolish the tenement houses on Sądowa, Młyńska and 3 Maja streets.

In 1958, two new platforms were put into operation; then No. 11 and 12, and later renamed Platform 1 and Platform 2. In 1964, a station pavilion was built on the south side. In 1968, two more platforms were opened; Platform 3 (13), Platform 4 (14). Waiting rooms, toilets, ticket offices and sales points were set up. As you can see, the work was very slow. In December 1970, Edward Gierek, a former miner, became the head of the communist party PZPR. This fact led to an acceleration of the investment and in 1972, the new station was ready.

The pavilion is known as the southern station. The project was created in 1962, and construction work began in 1963. The facility was completed on June 16, 1964. It is a single-storey building with an area of ​​900 m2 and a volume of 6,020 m3. The building has a partial basement and is covered with an arched roof of varying heights. There are ticket offices in the building. Other retail and service points have changed over the years. Stairs lead from the facility to an underground passage, where toilets and technical rooms are also located. The facility is waiting for modernization.

The new station stood out among stations in Poland. It was modern, spacious and bright. It had two levels. In addition, it was the first transfer center in Poland. The roof of the station was supported by 16 goblet-type pillars. The station was 140 m long and 53 m wide. The building had a cubic capacity of 76,314 m3. The building could accommodate 25,000 passengers at a time. Three tunnels led from the station to the platforms. The western tunnel was opened in 1964. The eastern and middle tunnels were put into use much later. In addition to regular stairs, the building also used escalators, which was a modern solution at the time. Both floors of the station were connected in several places inside. On the lower floor there were: ticket offices, a restaurant, a bar, toilets, a lost and found office, and a luggage storage room. On the second floor there were: ticket offices, a café, ticket offices, a post office, a railway information office, “RUCH” kiosks, and office rooms. In many places there were benches for passengers. The interior was additionally lit by lamps equipped with fluorescent lamps. There were numerous neon signs, railway information boards, direction boards, an audio railway information system, numerous clocks, and potted flowers. The floor was made of granite slabs.

From the upper level of the station there was a viaduct leading north to 3 Maja Street. Thanks to it, passengers could reach the bus station or public transport; trams and buses. Under the viaduct there was an international bus station, which could also be reached from the viaduct.

For many decades, the station fulfilled its role well, serving millions of passengers every year. The station was a representative place in the city. It is worth mentioning that the station in Katowice was the work of the best Polish architects: Wacław Kłyszewski, Jerzy Mokrzyński and Eugeniusz Wierzbicki. They were called “Tigers” because in the 60s and 70s they won many competitions. The design of the structure itself was prepared by Wacław Zalewski, considered one of the most innovative and influential designers of the time.

Katowice Station. 2012.

Over time, the Katowice station from 1972 lost its shine. A major renovation was needed. First of all, architectural obstacles had to be eliminated. A plan was made to demolish the station and redesign the space in front of the station. The construction of the “Galeria Katowice” shopping center was planned. After long debates, the decision was finally made to demolish the station, which began in 2010. The contract for the execution of the winning architectural design was signed on July 23, 2009. Polskie Koleje Państwowe S.A. concluded an agreement with the Neinver company. The design was prepared by the SUD Architectes architectural studio. On May 31, 2011, the cornerstone was laid for the construction of the new station and Galeria Katowicka.

The demolition of the 1972 station began. The roof and pillars were dismantled. The last pillar was dismantled in January 2011. The following were planned for the commercial and communication complex: a new railway station, a new bus station, an underground car park for 1,200 cars, office space. To this must be added the reconstruction of the road system. In terms of size, the centre in Katowice is inferior to similar centres in Kraków and Poznań. The disadvantage of the centre in Katowice is the high density and the inability to expose even one facade of the building.

The hall of the new railway station uses the remaining foundations. Currently, it is a single-storey hall. The area of ​​the station is 6,000 m2. The main entrance to the hall is located in the corner. Above the main entrance, the original neon “KATOWICE” was installed, which comes from the former railway station. In the new station hall, four historical goblets were recreated. Ticket offices (InterCity and Koleje Śląskie) were placed inside. Koleje Śląskie ticket machines were installed. An information point, luggage lockers, a waiting room, toilets, retail points, currency exchange offices, ATMs, and a pharmacy were placed. The tunnel accesses are equipped with fixed and movable ramps. Communication barriers have been eliminated. There is free Wi-Fi internet access. The lobby is air-conditioned. Dworcowa Street runs under the station, allowing buses to enter the bus station and cars to enter the shopping center parking lot.

The railway station was planned to be opened in May 2012. It finally happened on October 29, 2012. On February 2, 2013, the bus terminal was opened.

The “Galeria Katowice” has 52,000 m2 of retail space and 24,000 m2 of office space. An additional 19,000 m2 has been planned for cultural and exhibition activities. The cost of the entire investment was estimated at EUR 240 million. On September 18, 2013, the gallery was opened.

The platforms and track layout of the Katowice station underwent major modernization. It was decided to completely roof the platforms and tracks, leaving the sides open. It was decided to use a four-platform layout and leave three tunnels for passengers. The works began in October 2010 and consisted of a comprehensive reconstruction of platforms 1, 2, 3 and 4. The old platforms were demolished and new ones were built. The small architecture was completely changed. The roof is now a covered hall, which has been equipped with skylights on 10% of the roof surface. The roof is 160 m long and 91 m wide.

Three passenger tunnels were renovated. The floors, wall and ceiling claddings were replaced. The lighting was replaced. Ramps for disabled people and escalators were installed. The western tunnel is 111 m long. The central and eastern tunnels are 77 m long each. There is a transverse tunnel under Platform No. 4, which leads to the exit at Tadeusza Kościuszki Street. This exit is a small pavilion located at the intersection of Tadeusza Kościuszki Street and Marii Konopnickiej Street. It was built in 1968, during the reconstruction of the entire station and the transfer of passenger traffic services to the west of the previous station. Inside the pavilion there is a direct passage via stairs to the underground tunnels. Apart from the function of a staircase, it does not have any other functions. In the period 2010 – 2012, temporary ticket offices were installed in the facility.

The track system was rebuilt over a length of about 4 km. The traction network was replaced over a length of about 6 km. New rail traffic control devices were installed.

The construction was completed in September 2013. The cost of reconstructing this part of the station was PLN 70 million. The effect of the station’s reconstruction was awarded several times.

In 2018, charging stations for electric cars were installed in front of the station. In 2021, the entire building was named after Konstanty Wolny and a commemorative plaque was unveiled. The main building of the station is located in the northern part of the station, at Maria and Lech Kaczyński Square, the former Wilhelm Szewczyk Square.

Platforms in Katowice.

There are 4 platforms at the station. All are island platforms. The height of the platforms is 76 cm from the railhead – Platform 1, 2, 3. Platform 4 is 90 cm high. Due to the size of the station level, all platforms are “moon-shaped”. Platform 1 is located in the northern part of the station. Platform 1 is 302 m long. Platform 2 is 350 m long. Platform 3 m is 351 m long. Platform 4 is 412 m long. With the exception of the platform edges, made of 1 m wide concrete slabs, the rest of the platforms are paved with paving stones. The platforms have small architectural elements: benches, waste bins, clocks, railway information boards, lighting, audio system. The platforms are accessed by: stairs, escalators, lifts for the disabled and travelers with large luggage.

In 2011, the temporary Platform 5 was put into operation, which was previously a technical platform, and before that a postal platform. This platform has an asphalt surface, and the access to it is at the rail level. The platform height is 0.35 m. The platform has a roof, benches, information boards and an audio system. The platform is located near Wojewódzka Street, on the southern side of the tracks, at the height of the old station.

Written by Karol Placha Hetman