Centrum Historii Zajezdnia

About the museum

The Historical Centre Zajezdnia is run by the Ośrodek “Pamięć i Przyszłość”, a cultural institution established in 2007 by the Minister of Culture. From 2009 the Centre operated as a municipal institution of Wrocław, and in 2016 the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage and the city signed an agreement on its joint management. The Centre documents the post-war history of Wrocław and Lower Silesia, including by recording the testimonies of people who arrived in western Poland after 1945.

The Centre is based in the tram depot at ul. Grabiszyńska, a complex of buildings from the late 19th century. The site was destroyed during the fighting for Festung Breslau; after 1945 the German tram company was replaced by the Polish Municipal Transport Company (MPK), which partly rebuilt the buildings, and the depot continued to serve urban transport. The main exhibition is set up in the depot hall.

The exhibition ‘Wrocław 1945–2016’ is staged, interactive and multimedia. It consists of eight chronologically arranged parts, from the fates of people from the Kresy (the former eastern borderlands) cities to the history of Wrocław after 1989. The Centre also runs the exhibition ‘Golgota Wschodu’ (Golgotha of the East) at ul. Wittiga 10, devoted to deportees to Siberia and victims of Soviet repression.

Highlights

• The exhibition ‘Wrocław 1945–2016’ in the hall of the former tram depot
• Testimonies of witnesses of history and audio-visual materials
• Reconstructions: a school classroom with post-war benches, a butcher’s shop, an opposition activist’s room and a prison cell
• Section on ‘Solidarność’ in Wrocław and the letter from the Polish bishops to the German bishops
• The exhibition ‘Golgota Wschodu’ on deportees to Siberia

Permanent exhibitions

• Wrocław 1945–2016 – The multimedia main exhibition in the depot hall tells the story of post-war Wrocław, its inhabitants and Solidarity, in eight chronologically arranged parts.
• Golgota Wschodu – The exhibition at ul. Wittiga 10 explores the fates of people deported to Siberia and victims of Soviet repression.

Founded

2016

Operated by

Ośrodek „Pamięć i Przyszłość”

Admission & discounts

Group bookings are made via an online form; questions: wystawa@zajezdnia.org or tel. +48 71 715 96 02.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The exhibition has ramps, lifts and an electric stair chair. At the ticket office a wheelchair, folding seats, an illuminated magnifying glass and noise-cancelling headphones (for children and adults) can be borrowed, and printed tactile plans of the building are available. The ticket office has an induction loop and a lowered counter; there is also a card with a QR code for communicating with deaf and hard-of-hearing people. The building has a TotuPoint navigation system for visually impaired people, and at the entrance from the Bistro “Zajezdnia” side there is a call bell for staff. Guide dogs are allowed in the building and the exhibition.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Baby changing facilities

For children there is a stamp-collecting game in the exhibition, a Play Card with tasks and stickers, and the series ‘Bajkowe Poranki’ (Fairy-tale Mornings), with a film screening and art workshops for pre-school children and their carers. The building has a changing table.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Café

The Bistro “Zajezdnia” operates next to the building.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit