The Depot History Centre

The Depot at Grabiszyńska Street in Wrocław is an extraordinary place. This remarkable building from the late 19th century has been a ‘witness’ to the city’s complex history.

Like the entire city, the depot was destroyed during the war, amid the siege of Festung Breslau. In 1945, as a result of decisions made by world powers, Wrocław became a Polish city. The German Städtische Straßenbahn Breslau was replaced by the Polish Miejskie Przedsiębiorstwo Komunikacyjne. The partially destroyed depot buildings were rebuilt by the Poles, and from then on, it served Wrocław’s buses. It was here, in August 1980, that the strike supporting the workers of the Coast began. This was the birth of ‘Solidarity,’ the multi-million strong, peaceful movement that opposed the communist dictatorship and ultimately led to its downfall. It is in this very place that The Depot History Centre was founded! If it is possible at all to ‘tell the story of a city’—to describe its history, people, culture, past, and future—it is hard to imagine a more fitting location.

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UPCOMING EVENTS

17:00, 26 July 2025 – Drugi wieczór cyklu „Wieczory na Bastionie Sakwowym”: „Nowy Wrocław” – Powojenne przemiany
13:00, 27 July 2025 – Śladem architektury - oprowadzanie z przewodnikiem po wystawie „Wrocław 1945-2016”
13:00, 03 August 2025 – Oprowadzanie po wystawie „Golgota Wschodu” w języku angielskim / Guided tour of the exhibition “Golgotha of the East” in English
17:00, 09 August 2025 – Trzeci wieczór cyklu „Wieczory na Bastionie Sakwowym”: „Kryminalny Wrocław” – Lata 60. i 70.
10:30 – 13:00, 10 August 2025 – Bajkowe Poranki w Centrum Historii Zajezdnia

Calendar of events

Museum lessons

Specifically designed with schools in mind, we offer online museum lessons that teachers can conduct independently in their own classrooms. The lessons are available as presentations, which also include interactive tasks to engage students. The topics we’ve prepared introduce students not only to the history of Wrocław and Lower Silesia but also cover selected aspects of Polish history. Each topic is tailored for two age groups: primary and secondary school students. All lesson materials align with the national curriculum requirements. Both teachers and students can explore these lessons by visiting the ‘Online Education’ section.

In addition to the museum lessons, we also encourage participation in online quizzes. These can be completed after the lessons to summarise the information, or independently, to test one’s knowledge.

Museum lessons FAQ

OUR COLLECTIONS

The collections of the “Remembrance and Future” Centre come primarily from private and institutional donors. Some memorabilia have been added to our archives through various documentation and research projects, including the recording of oral histories from witnesses to historical events. As a result, our collections provide a view of historical events from the perspective of the personal experiences of individuals who did not play a leading role in the historical process. The documents, photographs, and artefacts preserved for future generations offer insights into the past that are often absent from official archival records.

We have a rich collection of photographic works by photographers such as Stefan Arczyński, Stanisław Kokurewicz, Zbigniew Nowak, Mariusz Czułczyński, Romuald Sołdek, and Tomasz Gardziejewski. Our archival collections also include the legacies and personal collections of individuals who have made significant contributions to the city and region, such as Cardinal Bolesław Kominek, Professor Mieczysław Pater, Stanisław Derda—a member of the Society of Friends of Wrocław—Benedykt Szychowiak, a long-serving employee of Wrocław’s Pollena Household Chemistry Plant, and families from the Eastern Borderlands affected by the Katyn massacre.

Our collection also includes everyday items, home furnishings, toys, and even toiletries from the Polish People’s Republic era. We invite you to explore this fascinating, rich, and diverse collection.

Documentation Centre FAQ

Make an appointment

It is possible to schedule an online meeting with a member of staff from The Depot History Centre. To facilitate this, we provide an online calendar—a convenient tool that allows you to select a suitable meeting time in just a few simple steps.

Make an appointment

In short

‘Remembrance and Future’ Centre

Grabiszyńska Street 184, 53-235 Wrocław
Secretariat
71 715 96 00
+48 663 901 767
Reception/Ticket Office
71 715 96 02
sekretariat@zajezdnia.org