In 1856, an agreement was signed between the authorities of Warsaw and the German Continental Gas Company from Dessau for the construction of the first municipal gasworks. The facility was built in Powiśle, on Ludna Street, and became a key element of the developing urban infrastructure.
Initially, the plant fully satisfied the needs of the residents, but the dynamic development of the city and the growing demand for gas meant that after thirty years it became necessary to expand the system. In 1886, construction began on a new, larger gasworks on Kasprzaka Street (formerly Dworska Street), which was to take over the function of the main source of supply.
The first gas installations made it possible to light the city. Through pipes led under Ludna, Książęca, Nowy Świat and Krakowskie Przedmieście streets, the gas reached Plac Zamkowy, where it powered 92 street lamps. The lighting system also covered public utility buildings, including the Bank of Poland and railway workshops. In the following years, gas lamps began to appear in hospitals, barracks and private apartments, significantly improving the quality of life of the residents.
Among the important buildings that received gas lighting were the Kierbedzia Bridge, the Citadel and the Petersburg Railway Station, now known as the Vilnius Railway Station. The introduction of the gas lighting system was a significant step in the modernization of Warsaw, a symbol of technological progress in the 19th century.
The Marcel iron, invented in 1897 by Parisian hairdresser Marcel Grateau, became a breakthrough tool in the world of hairdressing and ushered in the era of hair styling using heat. This device, the prototype of the modern curling iron, allowed for the creation of characteristic waves that became a symbol of elegance at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. Grateau's invention met with great interest, especially among women who wanted to give their hairstyles durability and a refined look.
The development of technology and the ongoing gas revolution made the Marcel iron increasingly popular, allowing for quick and effective hair styling. At a time when electricity was not yet widely available, the iron heated over a flame was one of the most modern solutions for hairdressers of the time. Using gas to heat hairdressing tools allowed for precise temperature control, which was crucial for the safety and quality of styling.
The Marcel iron quickly became an indispensable element of professional hair salon equipment, and its popularity lasted for decades. With the development of electrical technology and the emergence of modern curling irons, the classic Marcel iron gradually fell into oblivion. Nevertheless, its influence on the development of hairdressing is undeniable, and the styling technique itself known as "Marcel waves" is still appreciated in the world of fashion and hairdressing art.
For over a hundred years, the Warsaw Gasworks played a key role in supplying the capital with gas from hard coal. Production continued uninterrupted from the moment the plant was established until 1970, when coal gas production was discontinued in favor of more modern technologies.
In addition to gas, the plant also produced coke, and the production process generated a number of valuable by-products. These included ammonia - necessary for the production of fertilizers and explosives, aromatic hydrocarbons used in the chemical industry to produce lubricants and dyes, as well as asphalt.
Thanks to modern technological solutions and a wide range of production, the Warsaw Gasworks became one of the most modern municipal gas plants in Europe, playing a significant role in the industrial development of the capital.
In 1925, the Warsaw Gasworks became the property of the city, which was a significant step towards the independence of the capital in terms of energy supplies. The authorities then established a company called the Warsaw Municipal Gasworks, taking full control of the production and distribution of gas.
This decision was of key importance for Warsaw's energy security. Thanks to the city administration, it was possible to better plan the development of the gas network, modernize the infrastructure and adapt services to the growing needs of residents.
The takeover of the gasworks by the city was not only a step towards independence, but also a symbol of progress and modern management of the municipal economy.
In the second half of the 1930s, the first gas refrigerators, known at the time as cold stores, appeared on the Polish market. They were modern but expensive devices that only the wealthiest part of society could afford.
At that time, gas cookers were much more popular and became a common element of household equipment. They were not only more affordable, but also more convenient and safer to use than traditional coal stoves.
The development of gas appliances in the interwar period was a significant step in the modernization of Polish homes, making everyday life easier for residents and following the trend of increasing urbanization and technological progress.
The Wola Massacre, which began in the first days of the Warsaw Uprising, is considered one of the largest single massacres of civilians committed in Europe during World War II. According to historians' estimates, in August 1944, as many as 60,000 Warsaw residents, including women, children and the elderly, were killed by German and collaborating units.
In these dramatic circumstances, the Municipal Gasworks became a refuge for many persecuted people - not only during the Uprising itself, but throughout the entire period of German occupation. Among the aid activities, the issuance of false identity documents - the so-called gasworks employee kennkartes - was particularly important, saving the lives of Poles and Jews in hiding.
The history of the Warsaw Gasworks is not only a story about the city's industrial heritage, but also about courage and solidarity in the most difficult moments of the occupation reality.
The German occupation of Poland was a period of widespread terror, and any signs of resistance were met with brutal repression. People suspected of anti-German activity were pursued with particular ferocity, especially those who engaged in acts of sabotage.
One such event was the damage in 1944 to a compressor in the Municipal Gasworks, which pumped gas to the Ursus factory, among others. The Germans immediately began searching for the perpetrators, using ruthless investigative methods.
Those found guilty, and often those merely suspected, were subjected to torture, sentenced to prison, shot or deported to concentration camps. Sabotage in industrial plants was one form of combating the occupier, but it involved enormous risk and tragic consequences for the participants and their loved ones.
In the autumn of 1956, after years of Stalinism, Polish society began to express its opposition to the communist regime. The outbreak of discontent also affected the workers of the Gasworks, where – as in other sectors – protests and strikes appeared. The social unrest against the government became one of the expressions of growing frustration and the desire for change.
The breakthrough moment was Władysław Gomułka's October speech, which stopped the march of Soviet troops on Warsaw and announced a softening of the course in domestic politics. Many people linked it with hopes for the democratisation of the country and an end to the repressive period of Stalinism.
However, in December of the same year, the communist authorities established ZOMO – a new militia formation tasked with suppressing riots and social resistance. This formation became famous for its brutality and ruthlessness towards protesters, becoming a symbol of the continuation of repressive practices in the face of growing social discontent.
Gas bath heaters were one of the most important amenities in bathrooms in the interwar period. They made it possible to heat water quickly, which significantly improved the comfort of everyday life, especially in cities where access to hot water was still limited. Such devices became a symbol of modernity and progress in Polish households.
Shops, which were most often located near gasworks, offered a wide selection of heaters and other gas devices. The range included products from both domestic and foreign companies, which allowed consumers to choose equipment that met their needs and financial possibilities. Thanks to this availability, gas heating devices became a part of the everyday life of Poles, making it easier for them to use the benefits of modern technology.
In the interwar period, Warsaw had a male choir of municipal gasworks employees called "Znicz", which became one of the most important cultural elements of the capital. The choir, representing the employees of the Warsaw gasworks, gained popularity not only among the residents, but also among music lovers.
The group was led by Jan Adam Maklakiewicz, a valued composer and conductor, whose talent and charisma attracted many talented singers. Thanks to his leadership, the choir gained wide recognition, and its performances enjoyed great popularity, constituting an important point on the musical map of Warsaw.
The activities of the "Znicz" choir not only promoted musical culture, but also built a sense of community and integration among the gasworks employees, who expressed their professional and social identity through singing.
In the heart of Warsaw, there is an extraordinary exhibit, a unique monument of gas technology. At first glance, it may look like a huge barrel surrounded by many pipes, but there is a fascinating story behind it.
This monumental device is a large volumetric gas meter by Julius Pintsch, manufactured in 1899. Today's gas meters are small and discreet, but over a hundred years ago they looked completely different.
This unique meter can only be seen in one place - the Warsaw Gasworks Museum. Our guides will not only proudly show you this unique exhibit, but will also tell you about the smallest details of its operation. Thanks to them, you will have the opportunity to travel back in time and understand how complex and impressive technical devices were in the past.
Heat has its price, and its precise calculation is possible thanks to technological solutions that have developed over the years. However, the history of gas meters is not only a story about precise fuel consumption calculations, but also about the evolution of business models that have shaped today's gas market.
Since the establishment of public gas networks, gas suppliers have faced the challenge of effectively charging for fuel used. The answer to this problem was token gas meters. They operated on the principle of coin machines - gas flowed to the recipient only after inserting the appropriate tokens or coins.
Customers could purchase tokens at gasworks, and each of them corresponded to a specific amount of fuel. Thanks to this system, gas was delivered "on demand", which eliminated the problem of late payments and complicated calculations made by collectors.
To prevent fraud, gasworks used unique coin mechanisms that prevented the use of tokens from other gasworks or their counterfeiting. The tokens differed in weight and material, making them difficult to counterfeit and protecting the interests of gas suppliers.
The history of gas meters is therefore not only a technology, but also a story of continuous adaptation to market and customer needs, as well as the search for new, more effective business models that shape the modern energy market.
The introduction of gas lanterns in Polish and European cities was a real technological and social breakthrough that significantly influenced the quality of life of its inhabitants. “Gas light” effectively brightened previously dark streets, making them safer and facilitating everyday movement around the city.
The introduction of gas lighting had not only a practical dimension. Gas lanterns often stood out for their refined aesthetics, at the same time becoming decorative elements of urban landscapes. Made with attention to detail, enriched with ornaments, they were not only a source of light, but also a real decoration of cities. To this day, in many European cities, such as Berlin, London and Warsaw, historic gas lanterns have been preserved, attracting the attention of both residents and tourists.
Currently, gas lanterns serve as a kind of monument to the old days, and their well-preserved examples are attractive points on tourist maps of many cities. In Warsaw, you can still see the original gas lanterns that once illuminated the streets of the capital.
Can you imagine ironing without electricity? At the beginning of the 20th century, this was possible thanks to the "G" type gas irons - true innovations of the time! Made of solid, nickel-plated cast iron, they delighted with their durability and elegance, and their metal handle guaranteed a firm grip.
How did it work?
A gas heater heated the interior of the iron, and the flame with a perfect shade of blue-green was the key to effective ironing. Combustion products were cleverly discharged through special holes, ensuring safety and functionality.
This is not only a household appliance, but also a technical monument that reminds us how creatively people dealt with everyday challenges in the era before electricity.
Jak powstało Muzeum Gazowni Warszawskiej?
The history of Warsaw is not only political or architectural history. It is also the story of the development of technologies that changed the daily lives of its inhabitants for decades. One of the key milestones in this development was the advent of gas - a source of light, heat and energy that has long been part of the capital's landscape.
Zygmunt Marszałek, a former employee of the Warsaw Gasworks and at the same time the originator and founder of the Warsaw Gasworks Museum, spoke passionately about the beginnings of Warsaw's gas industry, the birth of municipal gas lighting and why a second gasworks was established in Wola.
Zygmunt Marszałek was professionally involved in the gas industry for many years. His fascination with the history of this field led to the creation of a unique place - a museum that today plays not only an educational role, but also a symbolic one. It is here that memorabilia, documents and equipment are collected to show what a huge role gas played in the lives of Varsovians.