Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All Poland Warsaw Metroteka

Metroteka

This alluring underground library, hidden in a suburban Metro station, features a Space Age aesthetic and its own hydroponic garden.

Warsaw, Poland

Jan Meyer profile photo
Added By
Jan Meyer
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
The futuristic interior of Metroteka   Jan Meyer / Atlas Obscura User
Part of the hydroponic garden at Metroteka where herbs are grown   Jan Meyer / Atlas Obscura User
Work and study spaces alongside the hydroponic garden inside Metroteka   Jan Meyer / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

Before the age of the smartphone, reading a good book was the most common way to pass the time while riding public transport. Metroteka aims to give good old-fashioned paper books a shot in the arm by offering a wide range of reading materials to Warsaw commuters close to the station platform.

The underground library has an intriguing modern design with parametric furniture and sloping white bookcases which contrast sharply with the black walls. Metroteka also features a hydroponic herb garden, with lightly scented leaves growing in a vertical arrangement under the light of lamps.

The design of the library is intended to inspire thought and debate; about the loss of libraries in Poland during WWII and challenges to food security in the 21st century.

Visitors can borrow books using the self-service system or enjoy this unique, underground space; an ideal spot for study, reading, or a moment of contemplation.

Places

Discover your next amazing Atlas Place.

Get more unusual and extraordinary places each week with the Atlas Obscura Places newsletter.

Your newsletter subscriptions with us are subject to Atlas Obscura's Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

Related Tags

Future Subways Libraries

Know Before You Go

Metroteka is in the basement of Metro Kondratowicza, close to the Bródno end of the M2 line.

The library is open from Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 19:00. Most of the books are in Polish, but visitors might find a few foreign language options to enjoy. Anyone can visit the library and enjoy it, even without a library card.

 

Community Contributors

Jan Meyer profile photo

Added By

Jan Meyer

Published

January 19, 2026

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • https://www.architekturaibiznes.pl/en/library-in-metro-metrics,41321.html
  • https://culture.pl/en/article/metroteka-warsaws-undergound-library-for-commuters
Metroteka
22 Ludwika Kondratowicza
Warsaw, 03-285
Poland
52.292107, 21.050599
Visit Website
Get Directions

Nearby Places

The Neon Museum

Warsaw, Poland

miles away

Gnojna Góra (Dung Hill Lookout Point)

Warsaw, Poland

miles away

Marie Skłodowska-Curie Museum

Warsaw, Poland

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Warsaw

Warsaw

Poland

Places 47
Stories 3

Nearby Places

The Neon Museum

Warsaw, Poland

miles away

Gnojna Góra (Dung Hill Lookout Point)

Warsaw, Poland

miles away

Marie Skłodowska-Curie Museum

Warsaw, Poland

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Warsaw

Warsaw

Poland

Places 47
Stories 3

Related Places

  • Havneholmen Metro Station

    Copenhagen, Denmark

    Havneholmen Metro Station

    A station imagined at the speed of light, where familiar fixtures slip out of place.

  • Prospect Park subway station entrance.

    Brooklyn, New York

    Site of the Malbone Street Wreck

    An out-of-service tunnel and nearby remembrances recall the location of a deadly train crash in the New York City subway.

  • East Finchley  Tube Station & the Archer

    London, England

    East Finchley Tube Station & the Archer

    The Underground railway station and its Cubist/Art Deco statue are so evocative of 1920s/30s London that one almost expects to see Poirot on the stairs.

  • "Main" Detroit Public Library, Detroit, MI 4/4/2026

    Detroit, Michigan

    Main Detroit Public Library

    It's an incredibly beautiful city public space, with spacious rooms to study and admire the artwork.

  • Hötorgets Tunnelbana

    Stockholm, Sweden

    Hötorgets Tunnelbana

    One of the earliest subway stations in Stockholm, which still looks like the 1950s.

  • The Courtyard and the door to the library

    Glastonbury, England

    Library of Avalon

    A lending library of all possible categories of esoteric literature.

  • Celadon wares

    Hong Kong

    Treasures From Sacred Hill Exhibit

    Ancient artifacts discovered during the construction of an underground railway station are now on display in its concourse.

  • The library has collections of over 100,000 lending books, downloadables, DVDs, CDs, games, and musical instruments.

    Ketchum, Idaho

    The Community Library

    This independent library is rooted in community service and lifelong learning.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2026 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.