Of the largest train station in Europe Walk

• of the largest train station in Europe Walk

Of the largest train station in Europe Walk

In the beginning, I wrote on Twitter, "You'll be in Leipzig - Take a look at the station." I do not consider myself a staunch railway fans, but in my head is the case postponed. Then, being in the city, I have three times passed by the station building, but somehow it does not inspire me to go inside. Yes, beautiful style comes from the early 20th century. Yes, there is now also a shopping center. But I somehow more concerned tram hub at his door than the station.

However, for the fourth time, I still decided to go inside and it seems quiet grunt of scale.

The station was opened in 1915, in the era of the dawn of railways. Leipzig Hauptbahnhof refers to the highest category German stations and has a railway track 21 (two of which are under the ground). Station is the largest in terms of area (83,640 m²) in Europe, although the passenger traffic it is only 12th among German long-distance railway stations.

Of the largest train station in Europe Walk

Old Station neighborhood could not cope with the rapid growth of the population, so in 1906 an architectural competition was announced. All it involved 76 architects, but the first section of the draft Juergen Kroeger of Berlin and Walter William Lossow and Max Hans Kühne of Dresden. After minor proofs for the basic plan has been adopted version of Saxon architects.

Of the largest train station in Europe Walk

Station had to pass in 1914, but the workers' strikes in 1911 thwarted this plan. At the opening of Leipzig Station had 31 railway line and was one of the largest in the world. The construction took 137, 05 million marks, of which 54 to 53 million was share Saxony, 55, 66 million - Prussia, 5, 76 million - Imperial mail, and 21, 1 million - in Leipzig.

Of the largest train station in Europe Walk

One of the main features of the station had its administrative and logistical separation between the Prussian and Saxon railways until 1934: "Prussian" was considered the western part of the station, "Saxon" - Eastern.

Of the largest train station in Europe Walk Of the largest train station in Europe Walk

In World War II the station at least twice been the object of airstrikes allies: December 4, 1943 completely destroyed the railroad station with the rolling stock, and July 7, 1944 hit the massive arches of the western part of the building. In this case, the station continued its work, closing only from April to May 1945.

Of the largest train station in Europe Walk Of the largest train station in Europe Walk

In 1954, after the urgent work of removing the debris of the GDR government decided to completely rebuild the station.

Of the largest train station in Europe Walk

After the unification of Germany, Leipzig and Cologne stations started pilot projects to transform the station buildings in multifunctional transport and shopping malls. The decision was made in 1994, and already November 12, 1997 at the station there was a two-story shopping center and a car park on the site of 24-26 pathways.

Of the largest train station in Europe Walk Of the largest train station in Europe Walk Of the largest train station in Europe Walk

In December 2013 in Leipzig was opened railway tunnel under the city center. One of the stations is located just below the station, but it's a slightly different story.

Of the largest train station in Europe Walk

© Arkady Gershman