Former Bread Oven Factory

A former bread oven factory—or rather, what remains of it—is tucked away in the courtyard of one of Szczecin’s tenement buildings. The factory, owned by Emil Kirst, had been in operation since 1883, but it was relocated to the buildings on Jagiellońska Street in 1906 as part of plans to expand and modernize. It was one of only two factories of its kind that once existed in what is now Poland. It is very likely that, during its heyday, it was the largest and best-known company in what was then Germany. 

The factory produced both the ovens themselves and related accessories, such as dough bowls and baking racks. Its products were a staple in German, Prussian, and Polish bakeries alike. In the late 1930s, parts for Mauser rifles used in combat during World War II were manufactured here. The subsequent fate of the factory and its owner is unknown; it is only known that it was no longer in operation after the war.

The front tenement building, an example of the eclectic style, deserves special attention. It’s also worth taking a look at the courtyard, where, in addition to the remains of the factory buildings, you can see the former gate topped with a griffin—the symbol of the factory and of Szczecin.