Jump to content

Prussian Eastern Railway Headquarters: Difference between revisions

Edit links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
m Former
Adding local short description: "Building in Bydgoszcz, Poland", overriding Wikidata description "building in Bydgoszcz, Poland"
 
(32 intermediate revisions by 10 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|Building in Bydgoszcz, Poland}}
{{Infobox building
{{Infobox building
| name = Prussian Eastern Ry. bldg., Bydgoszcz
| name = Prussian Eastern Railway Headquarters
| native_name = {{lang-pl|Budynek Dyrekcji Kolei w Bydgoszczy}}
| native_name = {{langx|pl|Budynek Dyrekcji Kolei w Bydgoszczy}}
| native_name_lang =
| native_name_lang =
| image = Bdg dyrekcja kolei 03-2013a.jpg
| image = Bdg dyrekcja kolei 03-2013a.jpg
| image_size = 300px
| image_size = 300px
| image_alt = Prussian Eastern Railway Headquarters Bydgoszcz
| image_caption = Former Prussian Eastern Railway headquarters
| image_caption = Former Prussian Eastern Railway Headquarters, Bydgoszcz
| coordinates = {{coord|53|7|49|N|17|59|44|E|region:Poland|display=inline}}
| coordinates = {{coord|53|7|49|N|17|59|44|E|region:Poland|display=inline}}
| map_dot_label =
| map_dot_label =
| relief =
| relief =
| alternate_names = Pomeranian Rail agency and Central Bureau of Foreign Settlements (1922-1939), Seat of [[French-Polish Rail Association]] (1937-1939)
| alternate_names = Pomeranian Rail agency and Central Bureau of Foreign Settlements (1922–1939), Seat of [[French-Polish Rail Association]] (1937–1939)
| building_type =
| building_type =
| architectural_style = Dutch [[Mannerism#Mannerist architecture|Mannerism]]
| architectural_style = Dutch [[Mannerism#Mannerist architecture|Mannerism]]
| classification = N°601288-Reg.A/748, 10th Dec. 1971
| classification = Nr.601288-Reg.A/748, 10th Dec. 1971
| address = [[Dworcowa Street in Bydgoszcz|Dworcowa st.63]]
| address = [[Dworcowa Street in Bydgoszcz|63 Dworcowa street]]
| location_city = [[Bydgoszcz]]
| location_city = [[Bydgoszcz]]
| location_country = [[Poland]]
| location_country = [[Poland]]
Line 43: Line 43:
}}
}}


The '''Prussian Eastern Railway Headquarters in [[Bydgoszcz]]''' (former German name: [[Bromberg]]) is a historical building, formerly the seat of the [[Prussian Eastern Railway]] headquarters. It is registered on the '''[[Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship]] Heritage List''' of Poland.
The '''Prussian Eastern Railway Headquarters''' is a historical building in [[Bydgoszcz]], Poland. It is the former headquarters of the [[Prussian Eastern Railway]]. It is registered on the [[Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship]] Heritage List of Poland.


==Location==
==Location==
The building is located at [[Dworcowa Street in Bydgoszcz|Dworcowa st.63]], in downtown Bydgoszcz, on the embankment of to [[Brda (river)|Brda river]], approx. 300 meters from the main railway station. Until 1919, its address was Bahnhofstraße 28, [[Bydgoszcz|Bromberg]].
The building is located at 63 [[Dworcowa Street]], in downtown Bydgoszcz, on the embankment of to [[Brda (river)|Brda river]], approx. 300 metres from the main railway station. Until 1919, its address was ''Bahnhofstrasse 28, Bromberg''.
[[File:Prussian railways directotate.jpg|thumb|300px|Building on a German map of 1914]]
[[File:Prussian railways directotate.jpg|thumb|Building on a German map of 1914]]


==History==
==History==
[[File:Bydgoszcz bud wewn dworca kolejowego 1890.jpg|thumb|left|300px|Bromberg railway station in 1890, soon after completion]]
[[File:Bydgoszcz bud wewn dworca kolejowego 1890.jpg|thumb|Bromberg railway station in 1890, soon after completion]]


===Project inception===
===Project inception===
The Directorate of Prussian Railways in Bydgoszcz was established in 1849 at Neuer Markt (now Nowy Rynek) 8, before moving in 1853 to the main train station building. As its activity expanded with the development of the [[Prussian Eastern Railway]] network, and despite the addition of large wings to the station in 1861, the edifice was almost entirely devoted to administrative purposes. The old station proved to be too narrow, and some departments had to be transferred to nearby rented houses (11 houses were rented in 1880).<ref name="I">{{cite book |last=Jastrzębska-Puzowska Iwona |first=Winter Piotr |date=1996 |title=Budynek dawnej Dyrekcji Kolei Wschodniej w Bydgoszczy. Materiały do dziejów kultury i sztuki Bydgoszczy i regionu T.1 |location=Bydgoszcz |publisher=PRACOWNIA DOKUMENTACJI I POPULARYZACJI ZABYTKÓW WOJEWÓDZKIEGO OŚRODKA KULTURY W BYDGOSZCZY |page= |isbn=}}</ref>
The Directorate of Prussian Railways in Bromberg (now Bydgoszcz) was established in 1849 at Neuer Markt (now [[New Market square, Bydgoszcz|Nowy Rynek]]) 8, before moving in 1853 to the main train station building. As its activity expanded with the development of the [[Prussian Eastern Railway]] network, and despite the addition of large wings to the station in 1861, the edifice was almost entirely devoted to administrative purposes. The old station proved to be too narrow, and some departments had to be transferred to nearby rented houses (11 houses were rented in 1880).<ref name="I">{{cite book |last=Jastrzębska-Puzowska Iwona |first=Winter Piotr |date=1996 |title=Budynek dawnej Dyrekcji Kolei Wschodniej w Bydgoszczy. Materiały do dziejów kultury i sztuki Bydgoszczy i regionu T.1 |location=Bydgoszcz |publisher=PRACOWNIA DOKUMENTACJI I POPULARYZACJI ZABYTKÓW WOJEWÓDZKIEGO OŚRODKA KULTURY W BYDGOSZCZY}}</ref>


It soon became necessary to construct a new building. The architectural company for this project was chaired by Berlin architect [[Martin Gropius]] and economist Heino Schmieden.
It soon became necessary to construct a new building. The architectural company for this project was chaired by Berlin architect [[Martin Gropius]] and economist Heino Schmieden.


[[Martin Gropius|Philipp Martin Gropius]], designer of the building, was a disciple of architects Schinkel and Beuth from Gewerbeinstitut Berlin. In 1855 he graduated from Bauakademie (Academy of Architecture) in Berlin, in 1862 he took the position of Landbaumeistra (domestic architect) in Berlin Police Construction agency. In 1869 he became director of the Royal School of Arts and Crafts in Berlin.
[[Martin Gropius|Philipp Martin Gropius]], designer of the building, was a disciple of architects Schinkel and Beuth from Gewerbeinstitut Berlin. In 1855 he graduated from Bauakademie (Academy of Architecture) in Berlin, in 1862 he took the position of ''Landbaumeister'' (domestic architect) in the Berlin Police Construction agency. In 1869 he became director of the Royal School of Arts and Crafts in Berlin.


The plan for a new building had been submitted in 1885 to the [[Landtag of Prussia|Prussian Assembly (''Landtag'')]]. Initial costs were estimated at 2.5 million marks, considered too high by the Prussian Ministry of Public Works, and a more modest plant was developed, designed by Prussian National Building Inspector Bergmann Dahms. He chose a site at Bahnhofstrasse 28 (now ul. Dworcowa 63), near the main station.<ref name="I"/>
The plan for a new building had been submitted in 1885 to the [[Landtag of Prussia|Prussian Assembly (''Landtag'')]]. Initial costs were estimated at 2.5 million marks, considered too high by the Prussian Ministry of Public Works, and a more modest plant was developed, designed by Prussian National Building Inspector Bergmann Dahms. He chose a site at Bahnhofstrasse 28 (now ul. Dworcowa 63), near the main station.<ref name="I"/>
Line 67: Line 67:
The building remained the seat of the East Prussian Railways until Bromberg, renamed Bydgoszcz, became part of the refounded Polish state in August 1919. The new state administration created a Ministry of Railways in Warsaw, which appointed seven Directions of District State Railways, where Bydgoszcz was subordinated to the administration of DOKP in Danzig (now Gdańsk), newly created as a "free city" under [[League of Nations]] supervision.
The building remained the seat of the East Prussian Railways until Bromberg, renamed Bydgoszcz, became part of the refounded Polish state in August 1919. The new state administration created a Ministry of Railways in Warsaw, which appointed seven Directions of District State Railways, where Bydgoszcz was subordinated to the administration of DOKP in Danzig (now Gdańsk), newly created as a "free city" under [[League of Nations]] supervision.
Consequently, Bydgoszcz's building moved under the control of Department of Revenue, and in 1922 it housed an Office station. A year later, a medical Railway Clinic was set up there. After several changes of ownership, the Ministry of Communications moved a part of the Danzig headquarters back to the Dworcowa edifice (1 October 1933).
Consequently, Bydgoszcz's building moved under the control of Department of Revenue, and in 1922 it housed an Office station. A year later, a medical Railway Clinic was set up there. After several changes of ownership, the Ministry of Communications moved a part of the Danzig headquarters back to the Dworcowa edifice (1 October 1933).
At the same time, it has welcomed the Central Bureau of Foreign logistics. ({{lang-pl|Centralne Biuro Rozrachunków Zagranicznych PKP}})<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pkpcargo.com/en/ |title=PKP Cargo |last= |first= |date=2017 |website=pkpcargo.com |publisher=PKP Cargo |access-date=1 April 2017}}</ref>
At the same time, it housed the Central Bureau of Foreign logistics. (Polish: ''Centralne Biuro Rozrachunków Zagranicznych'') of the [[Polish State Railways|PKP]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pkpcargo.com/en/ |title=PKP Cargo |date=2017 |website=pkpcargo.com |publisher=PKP Cargo |access-date=1 April 2017}}</ref> In 1937, the building also housed the [[French-Polish Rail Association]], a [[joint-stock company]] formed after the construction of the [[Polish Coal Trunk-Line|Coal Trunk-Line]] from the [[Upper Silesian Coal Basin]] to the [[Baltic Sea]] port of [[Gdynia]].<ref>{{cite book |last=M. Skowroński |date=1976 |title=Zakłady Naprawcze Taboru Kolejowego w okresie międzywojennym 1920-1939 |location=Bydgoszcz |publisher=Dzie-je ZNTK w Bydgoszczy |pages=68–70, 76 }}</ref>

In 1937 the building housed the [[French-Polish Rail Association]], a [[joint-stock company]] formed after the construction of railway line from [[Silesia]] to [[Gdynia]].<ref>{{cite book |last=M. Skowroński |first= |date=1976 |title=Zakłady Naprawcze Taboru Kolejowego w okresie międzywojennym 1920-1939 |location=Bydgoszcz |publisher=Dzie-je ZNTK w Bydgoszczy |pages=68–70, 76 |isbn= }}</ref>
In 1945, building ownership moved to the National Treasury and passed back to Rail Administration in 1970. Since 1990 a large part of the premises is leased to numerous private and public companies.
After the German occupation of World War II, building ownership moved to the National Treasury and passed back to Rail Administration in 1970. Since 1990 a large part of the premises is leased to numerous private and public companies.
In October 2013 the building was handed to [[Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń|Collegium Medicum, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun]], in order to install their dentistry faculty. Necessary renovations to adapt the building to the needs of the institution and its equipment will cost about 30 million zł.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://express.bydgoski.pl/252027,30-mln-zl-pochlonie-przystosowanie-budynku-przy-Dworcowej-do-potrzeb-Collegium-Medicum.html |title=30 mln zł pochłonie przystosowanie budynku przy Dworcowej do potrzeb Collegium Medicum |last=Zieliński |first=Tomasz |date=10 October 2013 |website=Express Bydgoski |publisher=Express Bydgoski |access-date=1 April 2017}}</ref>
In October 2013 the building was handed to [[Nicolaus Copernicus University Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz|CM UMK]], in order to install their dentistry faculty. Necessary renovations to adapt the building to the needs of the institution and its equipment will cost about 30 million zł.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://express.bydgoski.pl/252027,30-mln-zl-pochlonie-przystosowanie-budynku-przy-Dworcowej-do-potrzeb-Collegium-Medicum.html |title=30 mln zł pochłonie przystosowanie budynku przy Dworcowej do potrzeb Collegium Medicum |last=Zieliński |first=Tomasz |date=10 October 2013 |website=Express Bydgoski |publisher=Express Bydgoski |access-date=1 April 2017}}</ref>


==Architecture==
==Architecture==
[[File:Bydgoszcz Dyrekcja Kolei Wschodniej.jpg|thumb|left|300px|Building main entrance]]
[[File:Bydgoszcz Dyrekcja Kolei Wschodniej.jpg|thumb|180px|Main entrance]]
The building is built in a reminiscing Dutch [[Northern Mannerism|Mannerism]], with a tower and decorative [[gable]]s. In Bydgoszcz, such a style can be noticed similarly on a building at [[Kołłątaja street in Bydgoszcz|Kołłątaja Street]] N°9 (former shelter for blind people) and on the [[Grodzka Street in Bydgoszcz#.22Lloyd Palace.22|Lloyd's Palace building]] at Grodzka St.17.<ref name="I"/>
The building is built in a reminiscing Dutch [[Northern Mannerism|Mannerism]], with a tower and decorative [[gable]]s. In Bydgoszcz, such a style can be noticed similarly on a building at 9 [[Kołłątaja Street, Bydgoszcz|Kołłątaja Street]] (former shelter for blind people) and on the [[Grodzka Street in Bydgoszcz#.22Lloyd Palace.22|Lloyd's Palace building]] at Grodzka St.17.<ref name="I"/>


Dworcowa edifice has been built on a rectangular plan, with 3 [[courtyard]]s in the middle of the building. Building body is covered with high gable roofs and 2 [[avant-corps]] front [[Tower]]s topped with domes. The front elevation has highly detailed stone decoration, especially the main front gate facade.<ref name="I"/>
Dworcowa edifice has been built on a rectangular plan, with 3 [[courtyard]]s in the middle of the building. Building body is covered with high gable roofs and 2 [[avant-corps]] front [[Tower]]s topped with domes. The front elevation has highly detailed stone decoration, especially the main front gate facade.<ref name="I"/>


The main building material is brick, combined with cement-lime mortar and outside ornaments use red brick veneer.
The main building material is brick, combined with cement-lime mortar and outside ornaments use red brick veneer.
External walls have [[frieze]]s enhanced with yellow and green clinker glazed brick.
External walls have [[frieze]]s enhanced with yellow and green clinker glazed brick. Other techniques include [[Bossage]] corners, [[cornice]]s, [[portal (architecture)|portals]], and [[doorjamb]]s made of carved sandstone.
Other techniques include:
* [[Bossage]] corners;
* [[Cornice]]s;
* [[Portal (architecture)|Portal]]s;
* [[Doorjamb]]s made of carved sandstone.


Building entrances are through side or main [[avant-corps]] of the elevation: each of them is adorned with ornate portal.<ref>{{cite book |last=Parucka |first=Krystyna |date=2008 |title=Zabytki Bydgoszczy – minikatalog |location=Bydgoszcz |publisher=Tifen |page= |isbn= |author-link= }}</ref>
Building entrances are through side or main [[avant-corps]] of the elevation: each of them is adorned with ornate portal.<ref>{{cite book |last=Parucka |first=Krystyna |date=2008 |title=Zabytki Bydgoszczy – minikatalog |location=Bydgoszcz |publisher=Tifen}}</ref>


The original window frames are still preserved with different forms, most decorative windows -passing through two floors- are dedicated to the main meeting room. All parts of the building are topped with [[gable]]s and the two tall [[tower]]s flanking the facade have [[tented roof]] with octagonal [[Roof lantern|lanterns]].
The original window frames are still preserved with different forms, most decorative windows -passing through two floors- are dedicated to the main meeting room. All parts of the building are topped with gables and the two tall towers flanking the facade have [[tented roof]] with octagonal [[Roof lantern|lanterns]].


Roofs, supported by a wooden structure, were originally covered with English tiles, now replaced by galvanized steel sheets. Several [[dormer]]s pop out of the roof.
Roofs, supported by a wooden structure, were originally covered with English tiles, now replaced by galvanized steel sheets. Several [[dormer]]s pop out of the roof.


In the vicinity, at Krolowej Jadwigi street, is located another edifice, replicating dutch [[Northern Mannerism|Mannerism]] style of main building. In the renovation process, it lost its steep roofs and [[gable]]s.
In the vicinity, at Krolowej Jadwigi street, is located another edifice, replicating dutch [[Northern Mannerism|Mannerism]] style of main building. In the renovation process, it lost its steep roofs and gables.


After building completion in 1889, the following areas were in use:<ref name="I"/>
After building completion in 1889, the following areas were in use:<ref name="I"/>
* In the basement - two apartments for ushers, branch prints and branch control;
* In the basement – two apartments for ushers, branch prints and branch control;
* On the ground floor - a safe home, the technical division, and the tariff policy office;
* On the ground floor – a safe home, the technical division, and the tariff policy office;
* On the first floor - HR department, secretariat, a library, the traffic control;
* On the first floor – HR department, secretariat, a library, the traffic control;
* On the second floor - planning office, technical, statistical and material offices.
* On the second floor – planning office, technical, statistical and material offices.
In the middle of the building, on the first floor, above the entrance hall was a representative conference room with 3 large windows.
In the middle of the building, on the first floor, above the entrance hall was a representative conference room with 3 large windows.


Line 106: Line 99:
* A three-span system [[hall]];
* A three-span system [[hall]];
* [[Vault (architecture)|Cross vaults]] corridors;
* [[Vault (architecture)|Cross vaults]] corridors;
* THe ceremonial staircase with windows filled with etched glass coats of arms motifs of cities ([[Gdańsk]], [[Poznan]]).
* THe ceremonial staircase with windows filled with etched glass coats of arms motifs of cities ([[Gdańsk]], [[Poznań]]).
Representative conference room still retains large ornate [[panelling]] extending to a height of approx. 2 m, topped with ornate [[cornice]]s. The hall leads to a massive [[portal (architecture)]] including motifs [[corbel]] and [[herma]].<ref name="I"/>
Representative conference room still retains large ornate [[panelling]] extending to a height of approx. 2 m, topped with ornate cornices. The hall leads to a massive portal including motifs [[corbel]] and [[herma]].<ref name="I"/>


The building has been registered on the '''[[Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship]] Heritage List''' N°601288 Reg.A/748, on December 10, 1971.<ref>zabytek-kujawsko-pomorskie-28.02.2014</ref>
The building was registered on the [[Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship]] Heritage List Nr.601288 Reg.A/748, on 10 December 1971.<ref>zabytek-kujawsko-pomorskie-28.02.2014</ref>


Four [[Platanus|planetree]]s are registered as Polish [[Natural Monument]]s: they stand along the [[Brda (river)|Brda river]], and have tree cirumferences measured between 337&nbsp;cm and 445&nbsp;cm.<ref name="POŚ">{{cite book |last= |first= |date=2013 |title=Program Ochrony Środowiska dla miasta Bydgoszczy na lata 2013-2016 |url=http://www.bip.um.bydgoszcz.pl/binary/721_tcm30-133312.pdf |location=Bydgoszcz |publisher= |page= }}</ref>
Four [[Platanus|plane tree]]s are registered as Polish [[natural monument]]s: they stand along the [[Brda (river)|Brda river]], and have tree circumferences measured between 337&nbsp;cm and 445&nbsp;cm.<ref name="POŚ">{{cite book |date=2013 |title=Program Ochrony Środowiska dla miasta Bydgoszczy na lata 2013-2016 |url=http://www.bip.um.bydgoszcz.pl/binary/721_tcm30-133312.pdf |location=Bydgoszcz }}</ref>


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
Line 117: Line 110:
===Outdoors===
===Outdoors===
<gallery>
<gallery>
File:Bdg DyrKolei bk 5 07-2013.jpg| View with 3 entry gates onto [[Dworcowa Street in Bydgoszcz|Dworcowa st.]]
File:Bdg DyrKolei bk 5 07-2013.jpg|View with 3 entry gates onto [[Dworcowa Street, Bydgoszcz|Dworcowa st.]]
File:Bdg DyrKolei szcz 5 07-2013.jpg|[[Roof lantern]]
File:Bdg DyrKolei szcz 5 07-2013.jpg|Roof lantern
File:Bdg DyrKolei zm 2 05-2014.jpg| Adjacent building renovated
File:Bdg DyrKolei zm 2 05-2014.jpg|Renovated adjacent building
File:Bdg DyrKolei szcz 2 07-2013.jpg| Detail of main gate [[gable]]
File:Bdg DyrKolei szcz 2 07-2013.jpg|Detail of main gate gable
File:Bdg DyrKolei szcz 1 07-2013.jpg| Peak of a side entrance
File:Bdg DyrKolei szcz 1 07-2013.jpg|Peak of a side entrance
File:Bdg DyrKolei fr 1 07-2013.jpg| Detail of main facade, with conference room large windows
File:Bdg DyrKolei fr 1 07-2013.jpg|Detail of main facade, with conference room large windows
</gallery>
</gallery>


===Indoors===
===Indoors===
<gallery>
<gallery>
File:07 hall12.JPG| Entrance hall
File:07 hall12.JPG|Entrance hall
File:08 schody12.JPG| Landing of main stairs
File:08 schody12.JPG|Landing of main stairs
File:08 schody14.JPG| Ornate main hall ceiling
File:08 schody14.JPG|Ornate main hall ceiling
File:09 detale10.JPG| Detail of column top
</gallery>
</gallery>


==See also==
==See also==
{{commons category|Dyrekcja Kolei Wschodniej w Bydgoszczy|'''Prussian Eastern Railway Headquarters in Bydgoszcz'''}}
{{commons category|Dyrekcja Kolei Wschodniej w Bydgoszczy|Prussian Eastern Railway Headquarters}}
* [[Bydgoszcz]]
* [[Gdanska Street in Bydgoszcz]]
* [[Prussian state railways]]
* [[Prussian state railways]]


Line 143: Line 133:


==Bibliography==
==Bibliography==
* {{pl}} Jastrzębska-Puzowska Iwona, Winter Piotr: ''Budynek dawnej Dyrekcji Kolei Wschodniej w Bydgoszczy'', [w:] Materiały do dziejów kultury i sztuki Bydgoszczy i regionu\, Zeszyt 1, Bydgoszcz 1996
* {{in lang|pl}} Jastrzębska-Puzowska Iwona, Winter Piotr: ''Budynek dawnej Dyrekcji Kolei Wschodniej w Bydgoszczy'', [w:] Materiały do dziejów kultury i sztuki Bydgoszczy i regionu\, Zeszyt 1, Bydgoszcz 1996
* {{pl}} Mierzyński, Jan: ''125 rocznica powstania dyrekcji kolejowej w Bydgoszczy'', Kronika Bydgoska V (1971–73), Bydgoszcz 1980
* {{in lang|pl}} Mierzyński, Jan: ''125 rocznica powstania dyrekcji kolejowej w Bydgoszczy'', Kronika Bydgoska V (1971–73), Bydgoszcz 1980
* {{pl}} {{cite book |last=Parucka |first=Krystyna |date=2008 |title=Zabytki Bydgoszczy – minikatalog |location=Bydgoszcz |publisher=Tifen |page= |isbn= |author-link= }}
* {{cite book |last=Parucka |first=Krystyna |date=2008 |title=Zabytki Bydgoszczy – minikatalog |location=Bydgoszcz |publisher=Tifen |language=pl}}

{{Bydgoszcz notable buildings}}


[[Category:Cultural heritage monuments in Bydgoszcz]]
[[Category:Cultural heritage monuments in Bydgoszcz]]

Latest revision as of 00:27, 10 November 2024

Prussian Eastern Railway Headquarters
Polish: Budynek Dyrekcji Kolei w Bydgoszczy
Former Prussian Eastern Railway headquarters
Map
Alternative namesPomeranian Rail agency and Central Bureau of Foreign Settlements (1922–1939), Seat of French-Polish Rail Association (1937–1939)
General information
Architectural styleDutch Mannerism
ClassificationNr.601288-Reg.A/748, 10th Dec. 1971
Address63 Dworcowa street
Town or cityBydgoszcz
CountryPoland
Coordinates53°7′49″N 17°59′44″E / 53.13028°N 17.99556°E / 53.13028; 17.99556
Current tenantsPolish State Railways
Construction started1886
Completed1889
ClientRoyal (Prussian) Directorate of Eastern Railway
Technical details
Floor count4
Design and construction
Architect(s)Martin Gropius, Heino Schmieden

The Prussian Eastern Railway Headquarters is a historical building in Bydgoszcz, Poland. It is the former headquarters of the Prussian Eastern Railway. It is registered on the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship Heritage List of Poland.

Location

[edit]

The building is located at 63 Dworcowa Street, in downtown Bydgoszcz, on the embankment of to Brda river, approx. 300 metres from the main railway station. Until 1919, its address was Bahnhofstrasse 28, Bromberg.

Building on a German map of 1914

History

[edit]
Bromberg railway station in 1890, soon after completion

Project inception

[edit]

The Directorate of Prussian Railways in Bromberg (now Bydgoszcz) was established in 1849 at Neuer Markt (now Nowy Rynek) 8, before moving in 1853 to the main train station building. As its activity expanded with the development of the Prussian Eastern Railway network, and despite the addition of large wings to the station in 1861, the edifice was almost entirely devoted to administrative purposes. The old station proved to be too narrow, and some departments had to be transferred to nearby rented houses (11 houses were rented in 1880).[1]

It soon became necessary to construct a new building. The architectural company for this project was chaired by Berlin architect Martin Gropius and economist Heino Schmieden.

Philipp Martin Gropius, designer of the building, was a disciple of architects Schinkel and Beuth from Gewerbeinstitut Berlin. In 1855 he graduated from Bauakademie (Academy of Architecture) in Berlin, in 1862 he took the position of Landbaumeister (domestic architect) in the Berlin Police Construction agency. In 1869 he became director of the Royal School of Arts and Crafts in Berlin.

The plan for a new building had been submitted in 1885 to the Prussian Assembly (Landtag). Initial costs were estimated at 2.5 million marks, considered too high by the Prussian Ministry of Public Works, and a more modest plant was developed, designed by Prussian National Building Inspector Bergmann Dahms. He chose a site at Bahnhofstrasse 28 (now ul. Dworcowa 63), near the main station.[1]

Construction

[edit]

Construction started in summer 1886 and ended middle of 1888. Dahms managed the project, except for the sewer and central heating installations.[1] The interior employed rich architectural ornamentation emphasizing the importance of the station, a four-story building with two wings. Shortly after completion, a smaller edifice with outbuildings, including garages and a high-stack boiler room, was erected on a neighboring street.[1] The scheme of the project (both facade displays and interiors) had to reflect the imposing appearance of official Prussian buildings of the era. In this case, it exhibited aspects of the Mannerist style.[1]

Follow-up

[edit]

The building remained the seat of the East Prussian Railways until Bromberg, renamed Bydgoszcz, became part of the refounded Polish state in August 1919. The new state administration created a Ministry of Railways in Warsaw, which appointed seven Directions of District State Railways, where Bydgoszcz was subordinated to the administration of DOKP in Danzig (now Gdańsk), newly created as a "free city" under League of Nations supervision. Consequently, Bydgoszcz's building moved under the control of Department of Revenue, and in 1922 it housed an Office station. A year later, a medical Railway Clinic was set up there. After several changes of ownership, the Ministry of Communications moved a part of the Danzig headquarters back to the Dworcowa edifice (1 October 1933). At the same time, it housed the Central Bureau of Foreign logistics. (Polish: Centralne Biuro Rozrachunków Zagranicznych) of the PKP.[2] In 1937, the building also housed the French-Polish Rail Association, a joint-stock company formed after the construction of the Coal Trunk-Line from the Upper Silesian Coal Basin to the Baltic Sea port of Gdynia.[3]

After the German occupation of World War II, building ownership moved to the National Treasury and passed back to Rail Administration in 1970. Since 1990 a large part of the premises is leased to numerous private and public companies. In October 2013 the building was handed to CM UMK, in order to install their dentistry faculty. Necessary renovations to adapt the building to the needs of the institution and its equipment will cost about 30 million zł.[4]

Architecture

[edit]
Main entrance

The building is built in a reminiscing Dutch Mannerism, with a tower and decorative gables. In Bydgoszcz, such a style can be noticed similarly on a building at 9 Kołłątaja Street (former shelter for blind people) and on the Lloyd's Palace building at Grodzka St.17.[1]

Dworcowa edifice has been built on a rectangular plan, with 3 courtyards in the middle of the building. Building body is covered with high gable roofs and 2 avant-corps front Towers topped with domes. The front elevation has highly detailed stone decoration, especially the main front gate facade.[1]

The main building material is brick, combined with cement-lime mortar and outside ornaments use red brick veneer. External walls have friezes enhanced with yellow and green clinker glazed brick. Other techniques include Bossage corners, cornices, portals, and doorjambs made of carved sandstone.

Building entrances are through side or main avant-corps of the elevation: each of them is adorned with ornate portal.[5]

The original window frames are still preserved with different forms, most decorative windows -passing through two floors- are dedicated to the main meeting room. All parts of the building are topped with gables and the two tall towers flanking the facade have tented roof with octagonal lanterns.

Roofs, supported by a wooden structure, were originally covered with English tiles, now replaced by galvanized steel sheets. Several dormers pop out of the roof.

In the vicinity, at Krolowej Jadwigi street, is located another edifice, replicating dutch Mannerism style of main building. In the renovation process, it lost its steep roofs and gables.

After building completion in 1889, the following areas were in use:[1]

  • In the basement – two apartments for ushers, branch prints and branch control;
  • On the ground floor – a safe home, the technical division, and the tariff policy office;
  • On the first floor – HR department, secretariat, a library, the traffic control;
  • On the second floor – planning office, technical, statistical and material offices.

In the middle of the building, on the first floor, above the entrance hall was a representative conference room with 3 large windows.

Today, building interior only partially reflects its original character. Best preserved are:

  • A three-span system hall;
  • Cross vaults corridors;
  • THe ceremonial staircase with windows filled with etched glass coats of arms motifs of cities (Gdańsk, Poznań).

Representative conference room still retains large ornate panelling extending to a height of approx. 2 m, topped with ornate cornices. The hall leads to a massive portal including motifs corbel and herma.[1]

The building was registered on the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship Heritage List Nr.601288 Reg.A/748, on 10 December 1971.[6]

Four plane trees are registered as Polish natural monuments: they stand along the Brda river, and have tree circumferences measured between 337 cm and 445 cm.[7]

[edit]

Outdoors

[edit]
  • View with 3 entry gates onto Dworcowa st.
    View with 3 entry gates onto Dworcowa st.
  • Roof lantern
    Roof lantern
  • Renovated adjacent building
    Renovated adjacent building
  • Detail of main gate gable
    Detail of main gate gable
  • Peak of a side entrance
    Peak of a side entrance
  • Detail of main facade, with conference room large windows
    Detail of main facade, with conference room large windows

Indoors

[edit]
  • Entrance hall
    Entrance hall
  • Landing of main stairs
    Landing of main stairs
  • Ornate main hall ceiling
    Ornate main hall ceiling

See also

[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Prussian Eastern Railway Headquarters.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Jastrzębska-Puzowska Iwona, Winter Piotr (1996). Budynek dawnej Dyrekcji Kolei Wschodniej w Bydgoszczy. Materiały do dziejów kultury i sztuki Bydgoszczy i regionu T.1. Bydgoszcz: PRACOWNIA DOKUMENTACJI I POPULARYZACJI ZABYTKÓW WOJEWÓDZKIEGO OŚRODKA KULTURY W BYDGOSZCZY.
  2. ^ "PKP Cargo". pkpcargo.com. PKP Cargo. 2017. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
  3. ^ M. Skowroński (1976). Zakłady Naprawcze Taboru Kolejowego w okresie międzywojennym 1920-1939. Bydgoszcz: Dzie-je ZNTK w Bydgoszczy. pp. 68–70, 76.
  4. ^ Zieliński, Tomasz (10 October 2013). "30 mln zł pochłonie przystosowanie budynku przy Dworcowej do potrzeb Collegium Medicum". Express Bydgoski. Express Bydgoski. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
  5. ^ Parucka, Krystyna (2008). Zabytki Bydgoszczy – minikatalog. Bydgoszcz: Tifen.
  6. ^ zabytek-kujawsko-pomorskie-28.02.2014
  7. ^ Program Ochrony Środowiska dla miasta Bydgoszczy na lata 2013-2016 (PDF). Bydgoszcz. 2013.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)

Bibliography

[edit]
  • (in Polish) Jastrzębska-Puzowska Iwona, Winter Piotr: Budynek dawnej Dyrekcji Kolei Wschodniej w Bydgoszczy, [w:] Materiały do dziejów kultury i sztuki Bydgoszczy i regionu\, Zeszyt 1, Bydgoszcz 1996
  • (in Polish) Mierzyński, Jan: 125 rocznica powstania dyrekcji kolejowej w Bydgoszczy, Kronika Bydgoska V (1971–73), Bydgoszcz 1980
  • Parucka, Krystyna (2008). Zabytki Bydgoszczy – minikatalog (in Polish). Bydgoszcz: Tifen.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Prussian_Eastern_Railway_Headquarters&oldid=1256453901"