The Warsaw Water Filtration Plant Complex

The Warsaw Water Filtration Plant, located at 81 Koszykowa Street, is a key element of the capital's history and water supply infrastructure. The construction of the modern waterworks system began between 1883 and 1886 under the commission of President Sokrates Starynkiewicz, based on the design by William Lindley and his son. The station employed advanced filtration technologies, including slow sand filters, which were innovative for the time. The complex was built using the highest quality materials, such as facing brick and granite blocks, reflected in the architectural style of the buildings that combine industrial elements with functionality. Over the years, the plant underwent various modernizations and expansions, including the construction of the Rapid Filtration Plant between 1929 and 1933. During World War II, the station suffered significant damage, but the newly built clean water reservoirs allowed for the continuation of water supply after the war. The Filtration Plant is not only a symbol of Warsaw's technological development but also a site rich in history, which was granted the status of a historical monument in 2012. On its grounds, there is the Museum of Water Supply and Sewerage, which collects artifacts related to the history of waterworks, such as fragments of a 17th-century wooden water pipeline. The complex also serves as urban green space, with alleys lined with plane trees and natural monuments. An interesting aspect is its presence in popular culture, including the famous Polish TV series "Czterdziestolatek," where the Filtration Plant was the workplace of the character Madzia Karwowska. Stories associated with this location highlight its significance not only as urban infrastructure but also as a place with a distinctive historical and architectural atmosphere.