Background
The Edmund Szyc Stadium was a 60,000capacity stadium in Poznan that was originally opened in 1929.A chequered history to the stadium pursued, where in its early days it was considered unsafe as the structure began to buckle under the weight of the crowds. This put the stadium out of use for almost a decade and once WW2 came around, the Nazi's used the area for their evil deeds. Post war, the stadium was redeveloped and was host generally to Warta Poznan and occasionally city neighbours Lech Poznan. The stadium was abandoned in the late 80's and is now used as shelter generally by the city's homeless community.
The Explore
I had no intention of doing any exploring on this fleeting mid-COVID visit to Poland. last year. Only on the train did I notice a huge expanse on Googlemaps next to a small football ground I was going to visit. Upon further research, I was astounded to see it was a former, huge old football stadium. A huge complex surrounded by commerce and the busy city, you couldn't imagine such a space being left like this in the UK.
I was only able to see the inside of the stadium area and not the administrational buildings, changing rooms etc as these are now used by the local homeless community. Got the fright of my life when I found this out, when I went to enter what looked like the old ticket office, only to be met by an elderly couple hanging out some handwashed clothes!
Apologies as this is not one of the more exciting photographic explores.
1. The Outside of the Stadium and Grand Entrance
2. The Grand Entrance from the inside
3. View across the stadium from the Grand Entrance
4.The goalposts still in fantastic condition considering how long they've been left to stand
5. The view from Row G of the stand behind the goal
6. The wooden benches have now rotted away leaving the concrete posts and nails
7.Steps up to the concourse
8. From the concourse you can see the modest stadium of Wartna Poznan. From here I could hear numerous voices as I was above what must have been one of the main former offices, which was used as a dwelling by the homeless community
9. More evidence ofwhat was once rows and rows of wooden benches
10.The old gates which were once an entrance to one of the stands
12. Presume an old ticket window
13. A former office now housed by a number of homeless people
The Edmund Szyc Stadium was a 60,000capacity stadium in Poznan that was originally opened in 1929.A chequered history to the stadium pursued, where in its early days it was considered unsafe as the structure began to buckle under the weight of the crowds. This put the stadium out of use for almost a decade and once WW2 came around, the Nazi's used the area for their evil deeds. Post war, the stadium was redeveloped and was host generally to Warta Poznan and occasionally city neighbours Lech Poznan. The stadium was abandoned in the late 80's and is now used as shelter generally by the city's homeless community.
The Explore
I had no intention of doing any exploring on this fleeting mid-COVID visit to Poland. last year. Only on the train did I notice a huge expanse on Googlemaps next to a small football ground I was going to visit. Upon further research, I was astounded to see it was a former, huge old football stadium. A huge complex surrounded by commerce and the busy city, you couldn't imagine such a space being left like this in the UK.
I was only able to see the inside of the stadium area and not the administrational buildings, changing rooms etc as these are now used by the local homeless community. Got the fright of my life when I found this out, when I went to enter what looked like the old ticket office, only to be met by an elderly couple hanging out some handwashed clothes!
Apologies as this is not one of the more exciting photographic explores.
1. The Outside of the Stadium and Grand Entrance
2. The Grand Entrance from the inside
3. View across the stadium from the Grand Entrance
4.The goalposts still in fantastic condition considering how long they've been left to stand
5. The view from Row G of the stand behind the goal
6. The wooden benches have now rotted away leaving the concrete posts and nails
7.Steps up to the concourse
8. From the concourse you can see the modest stadium of Wartna Poznan. From here I could hear numerous voices as I was above what must have been one of the main former offices, which was used as a dwelling by the homeless community
9. More evidence ofwhat was once rows and rows of wooden benches
10.The old gates which were once an entrance to one of the stands
12. Presume an old ticket window
13. A former office now housed by a number of homeless people
