Ośrodek Kultury Morskiej

About the museum

The Maritime Culture Centre (Ośrodek Kultury Morskiej) is a branch of the National Maritime Museum in Gdańsk and is housed in a modern building on the Motława, next to the Crane (Żuraw). The building combines red brick with large glazed areas and fits into the historic panorama of the quayside. For its architecture and its management it has received many awards, among them the Sybilla in 2012, and in 2014 it was nominated for the European Museum of the Year Award.

Inside is a centre of knowledge about the sea, ships, ports and shipyards, prepared for children, young people and adults. The interactive exhibition “Ludzie – Statki – Porty” (People – Ships – Ports) offers more than 60 devices and educational stations, including simulators, a lifeboat and a pool with a wind generator, on which remote-controlled model ships sail.

The second part of the display is the exhibition “Łodzie ludów świata” (Boats of the Peoples of the World), devoted to maritime ethnology. It shows more than 40 traditional craft from around the world, from the Venetian gondola to the Far Eastern sampan. The collection was built up thanks to the captains and crews of Polish deep-sea vessels, and it is accompanied by objects relating to the customs and beliefs of the boats’ former owners and a collection of nearly a thousand photographs and films.

Highlights

• interactive exhibition “Ludzie – Statki – Porty” with more than 60 stations
• pool with a wind generator and remote-controlled model ships
• exhibition “Łodzie ludów świata” with more than 40 traditional boats
• hall with boats suspended above visitors’ heads
• award-winning architecture on the Motława

Permanent exhibitions

• Ludzie – Statki – Porty – Interactive exhibition with more than 60 stations on steering a ship, cargo handling in port, underwater journeys and tsunami waves.
• Łodzie ludów świata – More than 40 traditional boats from cultures around the world, from the Venetian gondola to the sampan, with objects and photographs.

Operated by

Narodowe Muzeum Morskie w Gdańsku

Admission & discounts

Free admission: On Wednesdays admission is free to the exhibition “Łodzie ludów świata” and to the temporary exhibition.

The prices given (PLN 19 and PLN 15) apply to the exhibition “Łodzie ludów świata” together with the temporary exhibition; admission to the interactive room is charged separately. They apply until 31 December 2026. Combined passes with the National Maritime Museum, the ship “Sołdek” and the Crane are also available.

Accessibility

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

The exhibitions are accessible to wheelchair users. The lift is adapted to the needs of people with mobility and visual impairments; exhibition labels have been adapted for partially sighted visitors, and in the interactive room blind and partially sighted people can explore the exhibits by touch.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Kids’ birthday parties

The interactive room was designed with children and families in mind; the museum runs museum lessons and weekend workshops and organises birthday parties at the museum.

Getting there & parking

By car: from the junction of Targ Drzewny, Wały Jagiellońskie and Hucisko, along Targ Drzewny, then ul. Szeroka, and at its end left into ul. Tokarska. From the Brama Wyżynna stop it is about 11 minutes’ walk (900 m), and from Gdańsk Główny about 15 minutes (1,200 m).

Amenities & dining

• Restaurant
• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Lockers

The building houses a restaurant and a shop with souvenirs and books; lockers in the foyer are free of charge.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

The museum rents out a conference room in the Maritime Culture Centre.

Plan your visit