Stara Orunia Reservoir is located on a hill near the Oruński Park. It was established in 1869 and was the first reservoir from which water flowed through modern waterworks to Gdańsk’s residents. The reservoir evokes religious associations due to the classical structure, consisting of naves and arcades, built with red bricks produced in Gdynia Kolibki. It was built on a square plan with a side of 40 m, and its height is over 5 m.

— visit the reservoir

How to get there? Book a visit

June – AugustEntry charge:
15 PLN

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— ABOUT THE RESERVOIR:

The specific microclimate in the Stara Orunia reservoir has turned it into one of the largest and most valuable bat habitat in northern Poland. For their peace and comfort, the interior of the facility has retained its original character and natural “patina”.

During the renovation process, a so-called time capsule was found, embedded in the brick structure of the building. Bottle capsule revealed a letter / document probably left by the builders of the facility. Apart from the visible date 1869, the remaining content is unreadable. The letter is a part of the exhibition in another underground facility – Stary Sobieski Reservoir.

Although it lies deep underground, Stara Orunia Reservoir served as a water tower, supplying the residents of Gdańsk with drinking water from Pręgowo, the only water intake at the time . The solution was a precursor to the modern Gdańsk’s water supply system, which continuously is under development. In terms of architectural value and visual attractiveness, it is in no way inferior to the famous “Underground Cathedral” in Łódź and Warsaw’s filters, and also is older than these facilities – it was put into use in 1869.

CONSTRUCTION YEAR

1869

THE FIRST MODERN FACILITY, COLLECTING DRINKING WATER FOR RESIDENTS OF GDAŃSK FROM THE DRAINAGE WATER INTAKE IN PRĘGÓW

BATS

HABITAT

ONE OF THE MOST VALUABLE IN POMERANIA. HIBERNATION PLACE FOR SPECIES SUCH AS GREATER MOUSE-EARED BAT, DAUBENTONS’S BAT AND NATTERER’S BAT

CAPACITY

4500 M3

FACILITY BUILT ON A SQUARE PLAN OF 40 M SIDE, HIGHT OVER 5 M

CLASSICAL CONSTRUCTION CONSISTING OF 11 NAVES RESTING ON 8 ARCADES, MADE OF RED BRICK (MADE IN GDYNIA KOLIBKI) SHOWS RESEMBLANCE TO SACRAL ARCHITECTURE.

— BATS

Stara Orunia Reservoir is the largest bat habitat in the Pomorskie Voivodeship. Thanks to the cooperation with supporters of these winged mammals, it was possible to reconcile the habitat protection and cultural protection.

Decommissioned in the 1970s (ultimately disconnected from the system in 1978), it became one of the most valuable bat habitats in northern Poland. Since the beginning of systematic counting, each winter there are several hundred individuals from almost the entire spectrum of bat species found in Poland. In Stara Orunia, hibernate, among others: Daubentons’s bat, Natterer’s bat, Greater mouse-eared bat and Brown long-eared bat. There was also a Pond bat, representative of a very rare and endangered species.

— GALLERY

— HOW TO GET THERE?

The exact address of the facility is 61, Kampinoska St., 80-180 Gdańsk. You can visit it until mid-August because of the bats hibernation period. Please note that access to the facility is from Nowiny St.

— PUBLIC TRANSPORT

At the Main Railway Station (Gdańsk Główny) take bus 132 towards “Pruszcz Gdański Rondo Kociewskie”, 189 towards “Maćkowy” or 205 towards “Pruszcz Gdański Komarowo”. Get off at the “Nowiny” stop. The journey takes about 14 minutes. Then walk towards the Oruński Park. The walk from the bus stop to the facility takes about 15 minutes.

— CAR

From Gdańsk Główny, head towards Nowe Podwale Grodzkie and take the St. Wojciech Road (Trakt św. Wojciecha). After about 2.5 km turn into Nowiny St. In front of the grocery store called Brix (marketplace) you will see a sign ‘Zbiornik Wody Stara Orunia’, which points to the walking path leading to the facility.