Maritime Academy of Gdynia

Routes of two training ships: "Dar Mlodziezy" and "Horyzont II"

Sometimes it seems to me I should just abandon the idea of making any plans at all, as especially recently none of them came to life. Yes, again my planned post needs to be postponed. Instead I'm going to write, to my surprise, about a place I never thought I would.

Bell in the entrance hall to Maritime Academy

As my work took me to Gdynia. I was told I can write about Maritime Academy of Gdynia, so I was like " oh okay". But inside I was thinking "what could be cool about a school". Nevertheless I begun research about the history of the school. As it turns out, the history isn't long, but still quite colorful.

Outside of Maritime Academy building, Gdynia

17 days after first World War finished marshal Pilsudski ordered the formation of Polish Navy. As a result not only the Navy was formed, but also 1,5 years later maritime college was opened. It was first collage of that kind in newly formed Poland. The school was based in Tczew, a town located about hour drive from Gdynia.

Entrance Hall, Maritime Academy of Gdynia

Since this was the first maritime school in Poland there was not terminology developed to describe processes that take place on the ships, or elements of ships. Coming up with all the vocabulary was up to newly recruited academic faculty. Then and there a publishing house was established, and first books in polish of naval themes were published. Fist book was published in June 1927 by the title of "Budowa okretu" ("Ship Construction").

Maritime Academy, 1930, photo: http://www.am.gdynia.pl/

The school was moved to Gdynia in 1930 and by that time it was promoted to a higher education institution. The maritime college was housed in building that was specially made for that purpose. Unfortunately happy days didn't last long, as the II WW began. The school was made into an emergency hospital and most of the faculty and students volunteered to join the army in war.

Souvenirs at Tradition Hall in Maritime Academy.... and me :)

Surprisingly the National maritime college was the only school that operated during the war. Within the time of the war 300 students graduated. Of course it was impossible to conduct lessons in in war-torn Poland, the school's temporary headquarters were in Southampton, England and Buckie, Scotland.

Tradition Hall, Maritime Academy in Gdynia

Since the end of the war the school lived through few name changes and granted permissions. Since opening its doors to first students it became full-blown higher education facility that educates at four faculties. I visited Tradition Hall (open since 1978) located in the main building of Maritime Academy, where I was able to find out about the interesting history of the school and see for myself part of its tradition locked in pictures, flags, first edition books and souvenirs collected on round-the-world journeys.

Maritime Academy of Gdynia

Gdynia - Main Railway Station

So I finally made to Gdynia :) As I said before. Winter inspired me. A bit unusual for fist post of a city (fist post of the city should be of the "most famous for places", but not this time:) I visited Railway Station. I've heard that it was renovated, plus I read somewhere that is one of the most beautiful Railway Stations in Poland (along with Gdansk Main Train Station) so I had to see if that was true.

Gdynia Main Train Station - front

And I will say it is true, I personally really liked it. My mum on the other hand (who came with for company, and I think it was first and last time she did :( ) felt a bit disappointed. I don't know what she expected, Michelangelo's painting on the walls? But she was the one that seen the train station before renovation, I was seeing it for the first time ( at least first time consciousnessly).

Inside: Gdynia Main Train Station

Fist of I must say that Gdynia Train Station in much bigger than the one in Gdansk. But it is also built in totally different style. I don't know much about architectural styles, and certainly cannot name them, but I did look it up :) (it's modern architecture with Socialist realism twist:)

Mosaic inside Gdynia train station

Gdynia actually had 3 different railway stations, with present one being the third. I am not talking about "thing burnt down and was rebuilt", or "extension was made: train station 2". Each train station was so different from the one before, which I find fascinating.

Mosaic in Gdynia Main Train Station

In 1879 first train stop was open in Gdynia, it was called "Gdingen" which is Gdynia, of course:) The train station was created as means of transportation to (and this is what I found on website) boorish - fishing village and seaside resort of third category. As always opening of train station contributed to development of the area (not only immediate area around railway station, but also seaside resort, which at that time was considered to be quite and close to nature).

Passage to main train station, Gdynia

In 1923 construction of new railway station begun. As I understand new train station was built across train tracks, and in front of the first railway station that was still being used. I find it funny and practical at same time. Why wouldn't they just extended train station that was already in place?

Inside of Gdynia Main Train Station with sunlight

The railway station no. 2 looks like a church in my opinion. I must admit I am glad that it was destroyed during WWII and rebuild. Otherwise I would have to live with no. 2 :)

Train station no. 1 - Gdynia, around 1900

Railway station no. 3 was built in 1955. It was designed to be the most luxurious and high-tech (after the one in Capital) in Poland, with marble interior, air-con and mosaic pictures on the walls and ceiling of the dining room.

Railway station no. 2 - aka. church :) Gdynia

Unfortunately my mom remembered about the ceiling mosaic when we were on our way back and didn't get to see it, so I decided I don't look it up and post picture found online. If you find yourself at Gdynia Railway Station please do not forget to go to McDonald's (that is were the ceiling mosaic is:)

Main Hall - Gdynia Main Railway Station

So they are two more mosaic to see, that I didn't post pictures of, and maybe possibly a fountain, but I am not sure about that one :)

Gdynia Glowna - Train Station