Europejskie Centrum Solidarności
Museum and science centre at the historic Gate No. 2 of the Gdańsk Shipyard, with a permanent exhibition on Solidarity and the fall of communism.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The European Solidarity Centre was established in November 2007 under an agreement of the Minister of Culture, the Pomeranian Voivodeship, the City of Gdańsk, NSZZ “Solidarność” (the Solidarity trade union) and the Solidarity Centre Foundation. Its seat is the building on Plac Solidarności, next to Gate No. 2 of the Gdańsk Shipyard and the monument to the Fallen Shipyard Workers of 1970; it was designed by the Gdańsk studio Fort. The building opened in August 2014.
The building, with an area of about 25,000 square metres and an underground car park, houses exhibitions, a library, an archive, a media library, an auditorium, a room for the youngest visitors, as well as a café and a bistro. The permanent exhibition tells the story of the birth of Solidarity, martial law, the road to democracy and its legacy; among the exhibits are the bullet-riddled jacket of Ludwik Piernik, Jacek Kuroń’s desk and a reconstruction of the shipyard’s Gate No. 2.
Alongside the permanent exhibition, the exhibition “Stocznia | Człowiek. Przemysł. Miasto?” (Shipyard | Man. Industry. City?) is presented. The centre also conducts research, educational and publishing activities, and the observation terrace offers a view of the former shipyard site.
Highlights
- Permanent exhibition on Solidarity, martial law and the road to democracy in six rooms
- Original exhibits: Ludwik Piernik’s jacket, Jacek Kuroń’s desk, an opposition printing press
- Observation terrace, café, bistro and underground car park
- Audio guide included in the ticket price, paths for deaf and blind visitors
Permanent exhibition
- Wystawa stała Europejskiego Centrum Solidarności – The story of the birth of Solidarity, martial law, the road to democracy and the triumph of freedom, with original exhibits and reconstructions, shown in six rooms.
- Founded
- 2007
- Director
- Basil Kerski
Admission & discounts
| Adults | 40 zł |
|---|---|
| Reduced | 35 złpupils, students up to 26, doctoral students up to 35, people with disabilities and their personal assistants, and seniors over 65. |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 6 · Children under 7 enter free. |
| Seniors | 35 złFor people over 65, on presentation of an identity document. |
| Visitors with disabilities | 35 złThe personal assistant of a person with a disability also pays the reduced ticket. |
| Students & apprentices | 35 zł |
| Groups (11+ people) | 35 zł per personGroup of 11–50 people: standard ticket PLN 35, reduced PLN 30 per person. |
| Families | 100 złThe 2+1 package costs PLN 100; the 2+2 or 2+3 package costs PLN 115 (children up to 19 years of age). |
| Family ticket 2+2 or 2+3 | 115 zł |
| Large Family Card (Karta Dużej Rodziny) – standard ticket | 32 złReduced PLN 28. |
The price of the permanent exhibition ticket includes the audio guide. Entry to the building does not require a ticket. Free admission applies, among others, to the signatories of the August Agreements, persons holding opposition-activist entitlements, members of ICOM and ICOMOS, journalists, school group supervisors (1 per 10 people), holders of the Karta Polaka (Polish Card) and, once a year, holders of the Gdańsk Resident Card (Gdańska Karta Mieszkańca).
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description
The main entrance has automatic doors and no threshold; two free wheelchairs for adults are available (no booking needed, at the ticket offices). In the underground car park 8 spaces for people with disabilities are marked, and the parking machines are adapted for wheelchair users. An audio guide route in Polish Sign Language and a route with audio description (in Polish and English) have been prepared. Some staff know the basics of PJM. Contact on accessibility: +48 517 368 130, n.grzywacz@ecs.gda.pl.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Time needed | approx. 2.5 hrs |
|---|---|
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 6 |
| Family ticket | 100 zł · The 2+1 package costs PLN 100; the 2+2 or 2+3 package costs PLN 115 (children up to 19 years of age). |
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
For families there is a family audio guide route (in Polish, English and Ukrainian), weekend workshops for children from the age of 2, “Mission” walks through the exhibitions for children aged 6–12, and the Room for Little Shipbuilders (a separate offer for the youngest).
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Europejskie Centrum Solidarności · 150 m
Tram – stop at Plac Solidarności (150 m), stops at the PKP railway station (700 m) and at Brama Oliwska (520 m); bus – stop “Europejskie Centrum Solidarności” (150 m); rail – Gdańsk Główny station (700 m, 9 minutes on foot; with stairs on the way).
By car
Paid parking
Underground car park under the building, entrance from ul. Nowomiejska; about 280 spaces, maximum vehicle height 2 m, open daily 6:00–22:00. The first 30 minutes are free, every started hour costs PLN 5; payment by card only. For coaches there is a free 10-minute stop on ul. Nowomiejska.
- Accessible parking
The main entrance is from Plac Solidarności through the historic Gate No. 2 of the Gdańsk Shipyard; the side entrance is from ul. Nowomiejska. Mevo city bike stations are nearby.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Museum shop
Café on the ground floor (10:00–18:00) and bistro on the first floor (11:00–17:00), run by Cafe&Bistro ECS; museum shop on the ground floor.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Corporate events
The centre rents out spaces, including the auditorium and a multi-purpose room.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes (PL, EN, BE, FR, ES, DE, NO, RU, SV, UK, IT) |
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | The full adult audio guide takes 2.5–3 hours, the short version (in Polish and English) about 1.5 hours, and the family route about 1.5 hours. Organised groups should book their visit: +48 58 772 40 66, zwiedzanie@ecs.gda.pl. |
