Breslau Hauptbahnhof

Postcard from 1917

Postcard from 1942

 

The platforms, early 20th century

The reception hall, early 20th century

One of Europe's most distinctive main stations, particularly because of its castle like towers either side of the main entrance edifice, Breslau Hauptbahnhof or Breslau main station was opened in 1857 as the starting point of the Oberschlesische Eisenbahn (Upper Silesian Railway), as well as the Breslau - Posen - Glogau Railway. It replaced an earlier complex of the Oberschlesischer Bahnhof (Upper Silesian Train Station, built 1841-1842). Its designer was Royal Prussian architect Wilhelm Grapow. The construction style was Neugotik (New Gothic) for the Empfangsgebäude or reception building and Jugendstil for the Bahnsteighallen or platform halls.  Last year major internal renovations were begun.
 
The station still exists and still looks much the same externally, but it is now called Wroclaw Glowny as the capital of Schlesien or Silesia found itself in Poland after the Russian conquest of 1945. Breslau held out against the Russians nearly as long as Berlin did and suffered the inevitable damage, yet the Poles did a remarkable job of restoring the city to its pre-war appearance and only a few city blocks were rebuilt in Stalinist/Communist style.