ORP Błyskawica

About the museum

ORP Błyskawica is a destroyer of the Grom class built at the J. Samuel White shipyard in Cowes, England. It was launched on 1 October 1936 and entered service in the Polish Navy at the end of 1937. In September 1939, together with other ships, it left Poland and joined the Royal Navy. It took part, among other operations, in the Norwegian campaign, the evacuation from Dunkirk, Atlantic convoys, operations in the Mediterranean and actions during the Normandy invasion.

After the war, in 1947, the ship returned under the Polish flag. For the following years it served as a flagship and training ship, and after a boiler failure in 1967 further repairs proved uneconomical. Since 1 May 1976 it has stood in the port of Gdynia as a museum ship and a ship of representation. It is considered the oldest surviving destroyer in the world, and the museum stresses that it was the only Allied warship to take part in operations throughout the entire war.

The ship remains part of the 3rd Naval Flotilla and has a permanent crew of professional sailors. It is used during Navy ceremonies, so it may be closed to visitors at short notice.

Visitors can see the deck from stern to bow: the artillery, the depth-charge throwers and the torpedo tubes. Below deck you can look into the sailors’ quarters, the boiler room and the engine room, and even pass through a ship’s boiler. An additional attraction is the exhibition “ORP Błyskawica – Wierny okręt” (Faithful Ship).

Highlights

• The oldest surviving destroyer in the world
• Deck with artillery, depth charges and torpedo tubes
• Sailors’ quarters, boiler room and engine room
• Passing through a ship’s boiler
• Exhibition “ORP Błyskawica – Wierny okręt” (Faithful Ship)

Permanent exhibition

• ORP Błyskawica – Wierny okręt – A museum exhibition presenting the history of the ship and its crews.

Founded

1976

Operated by

Muzeum Marynarki Wojennej w Gdyni (okręt w składzie 3. Flotylli Okrętów MW)

Admission & discounts

Tickets are valid on the day of purchase and are not refundable. They can be bought at the ticket office by the ship and at the ticket office of the Navy Museum; the Pomeranian Tourist Card (Pomorska Karta Turysty) is accepted. The visit takes about 30 minutes.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: no information
• 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 ship’s confined spaces make it impossible for wheelchair users and people with pushchairs to visit.

Kids & families

• Stroller-friendly: not available

Persons under 13 may visit the ship only in the care of an adult. Pushchairs may not be taken on board.

Getting there & parking

The ship is moored on Aleja Jana Pawła II in the Gdynia port, near Skwer Kościuszki.

Amenities & dining

• Coat check

Large backpacks, travel bags and suitcases must be left in the cloakroom in the Navy Museum building.

Events & venue rental

The ship is closed until 31 March 2027.

Plan your visit