Podziemne Trasy Szczecina

About the museum

The Szczecin Underground Routes are located in the air-raid shelter beneath Szczecin Główny railway station and in the embankment by the station. The Germans built it during the Second World War, using the underground of 18th-century fortifications; it served as protection for the civilian population of Stettin until the end of the war under the name Stettin HBF-Kirchplatz. During air raids up to 5 thousand people could take shelter in it. The structure reaches five storeys deep, has reinforced concrete walls and a ceiling almost 3 m thick, and an area of about 3 thousand m².

After the war the shelter was reinforced so that, according to the propaganda of the time, it could survive a nuclear strike. Until the 1990s it was strictly secret and was used only for civil defence training of railway employees. Today it is a monument open to visitors.

The initiative of Agnieszka and Andrzej Fader has been developing since 2006. Today, as the Gallery of Thematic Exhibitions, it consists of three connected routes with more than sixty exhibitions on the Second World War, the Cold War and the PRL (“Selfie z PRL-em” – Selfie with the PRL). Visitors will see museum collections, reconstructions of iconic places, information boards, films, 3D murals and art installations, and sound, light and scents build the atmosphere of past years. One ticket covers all three routes.

Highlights

• The largest civilian shelter in Poland, reaching five levels down
• Three routes for the price of one ticket: the Second World War, the Cold War and “Selfie z PRL-em”
• More than 60 exhibitions with objects, scenes and sound
• UV-lit mural and recordings from the cockpit of a British bomber
• Film set of “Wielka Ucieczka na Północ” (The Great Escape to the North)

Permanent exhibition

• II wojna światowa, Zimna wojna i Selfie z PRL-em – Three connected routes (red, blue and yellow) with more than sixty thematic exhibitions, reconstructions and films.

Founded

2006

Operated by

Galeria Wystaw Tematycznych – Podziemne Trasy Szczecina (Agnieszka i Andrzej Faderowie)

Admission & discounts

Standard ticket PLN 55, reduced PLN 45, child up to 6 years PLN 10; the ticket covers all three routes. Tickets are bought at the ticket office downstairs.

Accessibility

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

The entrance to the shelter is by stairs down from platform 1 of the station. Inside the temperature is about 14 degrees, and warm blankets are lent free of charge.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

The website describes the routes as an attraction for adults and children; children up to the age of 6 pay PLN 10, and a separate offer has been prepared for schools.

Getting there & parking

The entrance is at Szczecin Główny railway station: through the main concourse to platform 1, then along the platform to the right to the glass canopy and down the stairs; the ticket office is downstairs.

Amenities & dining

There are cash machines and toilets in the station concourse. Food and sweet drinks may not be taken into the shelter.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit