Radegast Station
Łódzkie
Radegast Station, located in the Bałuty district of Łódź, Poland, is a historic railway station deeply tied to the Holocaust. Built between 1926 and 1937, it became the Umschlagplatz where around 200,000 Jews and other persecuted groups from the Łódź Ghetto and occupied Europe were deported to extermination camps such as Chełmno and Auschwitz during World War II. Situated just outside the ghetto, the station was a grim transit point for forced deportations from January 1942 until August 1944. After the war, the original wooden station building survived and was later transformed into a memorial site and a branch of the Łódź Museum of Independence. The memorial complex includes a monument designed by Czesław Bielecki featuring the evocative 140-meter Tunnel of the Deported, symbolizing the tragic journeys of the victims. Today, Radegast Station stands as a poignant reminder of the atrocities committed during the Holocaust and serves as an educational site dedicated to preserving the memory of those who suffered.
Plan your trip to Poland with AI
Create a detailed itinerary in minutes. AI suggests the best places, restaurants, and an optimized route.
Tip: Visitors are advised to visit the memorial during daylight hours for full access and reflection. It is recommended to check the museum's official website for opening hours and to consider purchasing tickets in advance, especially during commemorative events. The site offers educational materials and guided tours, which enhance understanding of the historical context. Discounts may be available for students, seniors, and groups. Visiting in late August can coincide with anniversary ceremonies commemorating the Łódź Ghetto's liquidation, providing deeper insight into the site's significance.
Interesting facts
- •Approximately 200,000 Jews and many Roma, Sinti, and Lalleri passed through Radegast Station en route to extermination camps during the Holocaust.
- •The memorial features a 140-meter-long Tunnel of the Deported, symbolizing the victims' forced journey.
- •The station was known as 'Verladebahnhof-Radegast' or 'Marysin Station' during German occupation.
- •The last transport from Radegast Station departed on August 29, 1944, marking the final liquidation of the Łódź Ghetto.
- •The monument was designed by architect Czesław Bielecki and unveiled in 2005.
- •Radegast Station is a branch of the Łódź Museum of Independence, dedicated to preserving the history of the ghetto and its victims.
History
Originally constructed between 1925 and 1926 as part of a railway line between Widzew and Zgierz, the station was initially a cargo interchange serving the nearby Marysin area.
During World War II, from 1941, it was repurposed by German occupation authorities as the Umschlagplatz for the Łódź Ghetto.
Deportations began on January 16, 1942, sending Jews primarily to the Chełmno extermination camp, and later to Auschwitz during the ghetto's final liquidation in 1944.
After the war, the station building remained intact and was used by the railway for some time.
In 2004, efforts culminated in the creation of a memorial complex, officially opened on August 29, 2004, marking the 60th anniversary of the ghetto's destruction.
The memorial has since been integrated with other local sites of remembrance, forming a comprehensive martyrological complex.
Place Guide
Memorial Monument and Tunnel of the Deported2005
This monument commemorates the Jewish victims deported from the Łódź Ghetto. The 140-meter Tunnel of the Deported is a symbolic passage representing the forced transports to extermination camps, creating a powerful emotional experience for visitors.
Original Station Building1925-1926
The preserved wooden station building served as the operational center during the deportations and now houses a small museum dedicated to the history of the Łódź Ghetto and the Holocaust events related to Radegast.
Contact
Phone: 42 620 05 90
