In this year's 6th edition of the "Railway Station of the Year" contest, the winner was hailed as the station of the Poprad Valley, i.e. 12 buildings from the Novosadec district. However, the hearts of Internet users were won by the renovated PKP Gdańsk Główny railway station, the reconstruction of which took nearly four years.
In the 6th edition of the "Railway Station of the Year" competition organized by the ProKolej Foundation, 104 railroad stations from all 16 provinces were in the running. Twenty-four buildings made it to the next stage, while 8 buildingscompeted for the title of the most beautiful in the grand finale .
Verdict? The jury hailed the Poprad Valley railroad stations as the winner, comprising a total of 12 buildings located on a picturesque section (Stary Sącz - Muszyna) of the railroad line No. 96 Tarnów - Leluchów, built in 1876. The stations are located in Nowy Sącz County, within four municipalities: Muszyna, Piwniczna-Zdrój, Rytro and Stary Sącz.
were closed, today they serve passengers again
New life has been given to the train stations in: Piwniczna , Piwniczna-Zdrój, Zubrzyk, Stary Sącz, Rytro and Barcice, Młodów, Łomnica-Zdrój, Wierchomla Wielka, Żegiestów, Żegiestów-Zdrój and Milik. All investments were carried out between 2020 and 2023, with the work costing 84 million zlotys.
Piwniczna-Zdrój train station
mat. PKP
It is worth mentioning that although the line is in service all the time, all these stations were closed to passengers. The premise for all the investments was to raise the standard of service and passenger comfort, increase accessibility for people with limited mobility, and restore historic buildings to their former glory. Interestingly, for example, in Łomnica-Zdrój, Młodów, Milik and Zubrzyk, completely new buildings were erected, adapted to the surroundings, taking into account elements characteristic of the architecture of Beskid Sądecki, emphasizes PKP S.A., which manages the winning stations.
Gdansk Główny - the historic appearance has been restored
But their favorite in the "Railway Station of the Year" contest was also indicated by Internet users in the voting . The Audience Award went to Gdańsk Główny railway station , which opened at the end of July 2023, after a four-year-long reconstruction. It cost more than PLN 110 million and was the largest investment carried out under the 2016-2023 Railway Station Investment Program. Built between 1896 and 1900 in the style of the so-called Danzig Renaissance, according to a design by architects Alexander Rüdell, Paul Thoemer and Georg Cunye, the building regained its historic character.
The renovated main railway station in Gdansk
mat. Grzegorz Mehring/ www.gdansk.pl
The building is listed in the register of monuments, so the lion's share of the work consisted in restoring decorative elements, roofing, facade and window woodwork. The clock tower also regained its luster. The oak checkout and storefronts, stained glass windows, and cartouches with the coats of arms of Pomeranian cities were restored. The main building, the surroundings and part of the underground tunnel were renovated, and the steep roofs in the place of the former waiting room (where the McDonald's chain was recently located) were restored.
The purpose of the " Railway Station of the Year" competition is to recognize the best railroad stations in Poland. It serves not only to promote modern and functional public facilities, but also to promote rail transportation and collect and promote good practices in serving travelers.
