Cast Iron Staircase in Aleksandrów Kujawski (Poland) - History, Construction, Architectural Form

AbstractThe text presents historic cast iron staircase, which is situated inside the railway station building in Aleksandrów Kujawski. Since the moment of creation in the 19th century for a long time that station, located at the border of Prussia and Kingdom of Poland, was an important transit point. Nowadays it is situated in the central of Poland. The staircase was built in 1870's as a result of an extension of the railway station building which happened because of the planned visit of the tsar of Russia. Due to that reason stairs have extremely prestigious design. It consists of repeatable elements casted in iron. This has provided easy mounting and interesting, rare artistic form. The staircase in Aleksandrów Kujawski was broadly analysed. Modular, openwork, prefabricated structure is presented. Photographs, architectural stocktaking drawings and 3D models reveal that unique object, which combines functionality and high aesthetic qualities. Stratigraphy examination of paint coats shows, that the stairs were renovated many times. Presented remedial actions indicate negative results of incorrect, unthinking approach to monuments. This unique in Poland cast iron staircase is a glaring example of monument, which despite of compelling reasons of creation, remains neglected nowadays. It became an impulse to discussion on the fate of the cultural heritage which is the element of building's equipment. Often on grounds of service-based nature of it they are not fully appreciated, thus adequately protected