Muzeum Obrony Wybrzeża w Helu

About the museum

The Muzeum Obrony Wybrzeża w Helu (Coastal Defence Museum in Hel) was set up in the remains of the German Schleswig-Holstein battery, built during the Second World War. The battery had three 406 mm gun emplacements, a fire-control tower and two ammunition stores. After test firing, the guns were dismantled and removed, and after the war the complex was taken over by the Polish Army. For years attempts were made to use the site, but then the buildings fell into disrepair and were stripped of materials.

Thanks to the efforts of a group of military enthusiasts who founded the Military Section of the association “Przyjaciele Helu” (Friends of Hel), the most important structures were entered in the register of monuments in 1999. In 2006, with funds from the European Union and on the initiative of the city authorities, the “Bruno” gun emplacement and the fire-control tower were renovated. The management of the Coastal Defence Museum was constituted at the beginning of 2006, and on 1 May 2006 the museum opened to visitors.

The first exhibition was a room devoted to Commander Zbigniew Przybyszewski, defender of Hel. Over time further exhibitions were created: on the 32 days of the defence of Hel, on naval aviation in Puck, on the KOP battalion, on a hundred years of the Polish Navy, on the military and medicine, and on the history of hand grenades. The living quarters of a bunker were also recreated, and outdoors a weapons open-air museum (skansen uzbrojenia) was set up.

In 2017 the Helski Kompleks Muzealny (Hel Museum Complex) was created. Besides the Coastal Defence Museum it includes the Muzeum Helu (Hel Museum), the Muzeum Kolei Helskich (Museum of the Hel Railway) and the battery site named after Heliodor Laskowski. The museum is run by the association “Przyjaciele Helu”, and the proceeds from tickets are used to save military structures on the Hel Peninsula (Cypel Helski).

Highlights

• The largest coastal artillery position in the world, 406 mm
• Nine-storey fire-control tower with a viewing platform
• Exhibition “32 dni obrony Helu” (32 Days of the Defence of Hel)
• Open-air weapons display around gun emplacement B2
• Recreated living quarters of the bunker
• Military narrow-gauge railway and the Museum of the Hel Railway

Permanent exhibitions

• Stanowisko B2 „Bruno” – ekspozycje obrony wybrzeża – The largest coastal artillery battery in the world, 406 mm, with exhibitions including “32 dni obrony Helu” (32 Days of the Defence of Hel), the room of Commander Przybyszewski and recreated living quarters.
• Skansen uzbrojenia – Outdoor display of weapons around gun emplacement B2.
• Wieża kierowania ogniem – Nine-storey rangefinder tower with artillery exhibitions and a viewing platform over the Hel Peninsula.

Founded

2006

Operated by

Stowarzyszenie „Przyjaciele Helu”

Director

Władysław Szarski

Admission & discounts

The entrance to the main building B-2 leads through the open-air museum. Free admission is granted to children under 4, tourist guides with an ID card and museum employees. The ride on the military narrow-gauge railway, which includes a visit to the Museum of the Hel Railway, is charged separately (PLN 25 standard, PLN 20 reduced, PLN 90 family). Ticket booking is neither necessary nor possible (except for groups outside the season). Invoices are issued only at the B-2 site.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum invites visitors with dogs to every site.

Kids & families

Children under 4 enter free of charge, and holders of the Large Family Card can buy a reduced ticket.

Getting there & parking

Battery B2 “Bruno” and the fire-control tower lie on opposite sides of the Hel road; the entrance to the museum leads through the open-air museum.

Amenities & dining

In July and August a field kitchen operates (including sailors’ pea soup and grilled sausage); the open-air museum has a sports shooting range with air weapons.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit