Warsaw Śródmieście

Warszawa Śródmieście is an underground railway station located on the Warsaw Cross-City Line, serving both agglomeration and regional traffic. It was established in 1949, replacing the pre-war Main Station, which existed until 1944. The first provisional station was housed in a wooden pavilion at the intersection of Marszałkowska and Aleje Jerozolimskie streets. In 1952, the facility was relocated, allowing construction to begin on a new, permanent station designed by architects Arseniusz Romanowicz and Piotr Szymaniak. The underground section was completed in 1963, and the station’s interiors were adorned with modern mosaics created by artists from the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw, including Wojciech Fangor. The station was praised for its aesthetics and functionality, thanks to the efficient segregation of pedestrian traffic. Over the years, it underwent renovations, with a major refurbishment completed in 2006, restoring it to its condition from 40 years earlier. In 2020, the station was entered into the register of historical monuments, and its underground areas are already protected as part of the municipal heritage record. Passenger traffic at the station has been significant; in 2017, it served 19.4 million people. The station features ticket machines, and an elevator was installed in 2010. Among the interesting facts are the long-discussed plans to build a connection to the Centrum metro station and the fact that the station and its surroundings have hosted various cultural events, including a New Year's Eve ball in 1963 and concerts by bands in 2006. The station has also made its mark in popular culture, appearing in films and post-apocalyptic novels.