Project name: "The Depot History Centre in Wrocław"
Information about the EOG funds
The Depot at Grabiszyńska street in Wrocław is a special place. This exceptional building from the end of the 19th century witnessed the city’s difficult history. In August 1980, a strike to support the workers of the Coast was initiated in the depot. This is how „Solidarity” was born – a peaceful movement of millions that led to overthrow of the communist dictatorship in Poland. If it is at all possible to „tell a city”, describe its history and culture, there is no better location. The heart of the Depot is the main exhibition „Wrocław 1945-2016,” concerning the post-war history of Wrocław, Lower Silesia and other regions incorporated into Poland as a result of the Second World War.
The exhibition, which has stage set quality, was created from the souvenirs, documents and photographs donated by the citizens of Wrocław. The exhibition has the organisation of a city – there are roads, a railway station, a butcher shop, a library, a newsstand and a maze. This enables the visitors to travel back in time and live the adventure.
The depot is also a space of intercultural dialogue and contemplation on the future of Europe.
The project „Depot History Centre in Wrocław” was funded from Norwegian funds and EEA funds (EEA FM 2009-2014 and NFM 2009-2014) from Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, and from funds of the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage and the programme „Conservation and revitalization of cultural heritage.” The subsidies amounted to PLN 15 019 203, which made up 51.06% of the entire cost of the project.
The project included construction and renovation works, purchase of equipment and furnishings e.g. for the purpose of digitalisation of archives.
The project involved revitalisation and adaptation of the historic complex of industrial depot buildings at Grabiszyńska Street 184 in Wrocław for cultural purposes to create the Depot History Centre – a place of permanent and temporary exhibitions devoted to the post-war history of Wrocław and Lower Silesia.
The investment also enabled development of the Documentation Centre of the „Pamięć i Przyszłość” (Remembrance and Future) Centre, which works to expand the digital archives by means of ongoing programmes for digitalisation of resources such as photographs or items related to the post-war history.
The project provided better access to culture and cultural heritage for a broader group of recipients.
The Depot History Centre spreads over 1980 square metres of exhibition space on two levels. The underground area covers 566 m2, and the ground-floor area covers 1414 m2, of which 399 m2 is intended for temporary exhibitions and conferences. The premises of the depot cover 2.3 hectares, which enables organising concerts and open-air exhibitions, and lends space to the local community.
The project contributed to reducing economic and social difference within the European Economic Area.
The Depot History Centre was opened on 16th September 2016 as part of the Wrocław European Capital of Culture programme.
