An extraordinary discovery in the historic post office building in Elbląg
Dating back to 1887, the historic architectural complex of the Polish Post Office in Elbląg is revealing its secrets. During renovation work, eight original German flagpoles, or openings for hanging flags, were discovered at the top of the building's facade. This is a remarkable find of historical significance.
The history of the historic Elbląg post office complex dates back to the 19th century. The Elbląg 1 Post Office was built in 1887 by Otto Depmeyer, the contractor of some of the most impressive buildings in the city and surrounding area at the turn of the 20th century. From its inception to the present day, the complex has served as the post office. A stately tenement house once stood on this site, owned by the director of a local bank. Interestingly, in May 1807, Napoleon Bonaparte himself stayed overnight in this tenement house.
During World War II, the building miraculously survived, though it suffered severe damage. On May 30, 1945, after Soviet authorities granted permission to enter the postal complex, the area surrounding it was completely destroyed. Information about the enormous scale of the building's devastation resulting from warfare can be found in numerous historical accounts by witnesses to the reconstruction, particularly in the memoirs of postal workers.
The Polish Post Office building in Elbląg is a two-story, spacious building, covered with a gable roof and a metal turret above the side elevation. The brick facades, divided by ornamental pilaster strips, are characterized by rich ornamentation. The front of the building features a double-arcaded entrance in a projection topped with a decorative gable. The roof slopes feature small, rectangular dormers with pointed roofs.
The monument is gradually being restored to its former glory thanks to ongoing renovations under the supervision of the conservator. During the inspection and renovation of the building's roof, attention was drawn to eight unidentified openings located in the upper cornice. The openings were originally preserved German trestles, intended for displaying flags. Determining when these openings were created remains a mystery.
To celebrate Flag Day, the Polish Post Office decided to capitalize on this remarkable architectural discovery. Eight seven-meter flags were hung and secured on the front of the building using historic trestles, reaching up to the top of the ground-floor windows.