Muzeum Nauki Gdańskiej

About the museum

The Museum of Gdańsk Science, formerly the Tower Clock Museum, is housed in the tower of St Catherine’s Church, the oldest parish church in Gdańsk. The museum opened in 1996 under an agreement between the then Historical Museum of the City of Gdańsk and the Carmelite order, and today it is a branch of the Gdańsk Museum. The Gothic tower was built in the 15th century, and in 1634 it received a Baroque spire by Jakub van den Block. Prominent Gdańsk citizens, especially scientists, were associated with the church, led by the astronomer Jan Heweliusz, whose tomb is in the presbytery.

The exhibition rooms hold a collection of clocks from the whole era of mechanical and electro-mechanical clockmaking, with movements from the 14th and 15th centuries as well as post-war ones. Among them is an original verge clock (zegar kolebnikowy), one of the few surviving in Europe, a clock from Poland’s only tower-clock factory, that of Michał Mięsowicz from Krosno, and a movement from the British Isles. In the attics, in 2011, on the 400th anniversary of Heweliusz’s birth, the world’s first clock driven by pulsar impulses was installed, along with the HEVELIUS-2011 pendulum clock.

The upper part of the tower houses a 50-bell carillon, the largest concert instrument of its kind in Poland and Central Europe. A viewing point on the balcony of the tower spire looks out over the Main Town, the Old Town, the Gulf of Gdańsk and the surroundings. The museum’s descriptions are bilingual, in Polish and English, and under the supervision of a staff member some mechanisms can be seen in operation.

Highlights

• The only collection of tower clocks in Poland, from the 14th century to the present
• The world’s first pulsar clock, from 2011
• Movement with the longest pendulum in the world (31.22 m)
• 50-bell carillon in the tower of St Catherine’s Church
• Viewing terrace on the tower spire with a panorama of the Main Town

Permanent exhibition

• Zegary wieżowe i carillon w wieży kościoła św. Katarzyny – Collection of clocks from the 14th to the 21st century, the pulsar clock, the clock with the longest pendulum, and the carillon and viewing point in the tower spire.

Founded

1996

Operated by

Muzeum Gdańska

Admission & discounts

On free-admission days at the other branches of the Gdańsk Museum, this branch does not take part, as it is seasonal. Free admission is granted, among others, to children under 7, people with disabilities with their carers, holders of the Karta Polaka and journalists with press accreditation. The viewing terrace is open at the same hours as the museum and is included in the ticket price.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The branch is not accessible to wheelchair users and has no lift; hundreds of narrow, winding Gothic steps lead to the museum and the terrace. Magnifying glasses and noise-cancelling headphones can be borrowed at the ticket office, and disposable earplugs are also available. Accessibility coordinator: tel. +48 797 013 430, dostepnosc@muzeumgdansk.pl.

Kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

The museum runs educational classes on the history of the exact sciences, and a family ticket is available. A visit requires climbing many narrow stairs.

Getting there & parking

The museum is in the tower of St Catherine’s Church, entrance from Wielkich Młynów 10 in the Main Town of Gdańsk.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

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