Underground Library Opens in the Heart of Warsaw Metro

According to Iran Book News Agency (IBNA) quoting Global Times, an underground library named Metroteka has opened at ‘Kondratowicza’ metro station in Warsaw, the capital of Poland; a space designed as both a library and a venue for cultural and educational activities. This library, which began operating on November 26, 2025, is considered an innovative example of combining urban transport infrastructure and public culture, making it easy for citizens to access books and educational resources.

Metroteka includes bookshelves, study tables, and spaces for holding meetings and cultural programs. Visitors can study in a quiet environment or participate in collective and cultural activities. Images released from the opening day show that citizens have warmly welcomed this space; some are busy studying and flipping through books, while others are seen conversing or attending cultural programs present in the library. This approach transforms the urban experience from merely passing through a station into a cultural and educational experience.

Warsaw city officials have emphasized that Metroteka is part of the city’s broader policies for developing cultural and social infrastructure. This project was designed inspired by the tradition of public libraries and the need to create collective study spaces, aiming to enhance the cultural and literary literacy of citizens. According to future plans, similar libraries will be launched in other metro stations to further facilitate access to books and cultural activities.

This initiative has been welcomed both nationally and internationally and is considered a successful example of promoting a reading culture in public and urban transport spaces. Metroteka is particularly useful for those with limited access to libraries or study spaces, including students, employees, and citizens who have little opportunity to read during their daily commute. Its intelligent design transforms the waiting time for a train or metro into an educational and research opportunity.

The opening of Metroteka symbolizes a new trend in European cities towards the ‘City of Culture’; a city where movement is not just physical displacement, but provides a cultural and social experience. This library not only expands access to scientific and literary resources but also enhances the experience of reading and learning in a different, dynamic, and creative environment, and can serve as an inspiring model for other cities in Europe and the world.