Zespół Przedbramia

About the museum

The Przedbramie (fore-gate complex) on ul. Długa stems from the 14th-century gate and tower, which were the main entrance to the town; the first gate was built in 1295 and rebuilt after the damage of 1308. When at the end of the 16th century the fortifications were moved slightly to the west, the tower began to serve as a prison, cells were fitted in the passage, and a torture chamber was set up in the bastions. The prison operated from the beginning of the 17th century to the mid-19th century; interrogations and court hearings took place in the torture chamber, and later a storey with a courtroom and a Renaissance attic was added.

The complex suffered during the Second World War and was rebuilt at the end of the 20th century. From 2006 to 2021 the Amber Museum (Muzeum Bursztynu) was located here, and it left the Przedbramie complex in 2021. Today exhibitions are presented in the historic interiors: on the rebuilding of Gdańsk after the destruction of 1945 in the Prison Tower, and on the history of the complex itself in the torture chamber (Katownia).

The exhibition “Gdańsk piękniejszy niż kiedykolwiek” (“Gdańsk More Beautiful Than Ever”) occupies four storeys of the tower and shows photographs, archive films and sculptures rescued from the façades of tenement houses. The visit lasts at least 45 minutes, and the viewpoint on the roof is included in the ticket price.

Highlights

• Exhibition “Gdańsk piękniejszy niż kiedykolwiek” (“Gdańsk More Beautiful Than Ever”) on the rebuilding of the city after 1945
• Four storeys of the Prison Tower with photographs, archive films and sculptures
• Former torture chamber with a Renaissance attic
• Viewpoint on the roof, included in the ticket price
• Texts in Polish Sign Language and audio description of photographs via QR codes

Permanent exhibition

• Gdańsk piękniejszy niż kiedykolwiek – The exhibition across the four storeys of the Prison Tower tells the story of the rebuilding of Gdańsk after 1945, with photographs, archive films and sculptures rescued from the façades of tenement houses.

Operated by

Muzeum Gdańska

Admission & discounts

Free admission applies to, among others, children under 7, people with disabilities and their carers, holders of the Karta Polaka (Pole's Card), members of ICOM and ICOMOS and journalists with a press card; in organised groups one guide and one carer per 10 people enter free.

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

The exhibition occupies the four levels of the tower, reached by narrow, winding stairs; there is no lift and the building is not accessible to wheelchair users. Some texts have versions in Polish Sign Language, and audio description of four photographs is available by scanning QR codes. Accessibility questions are taken by the coordinator Anna Górecka (tel./SMS +48 797 013 430, dostepnosc@muzeumgdansk.pl).

Kids & families

Children under 7 enter free; the route runs up narrow, winding stairs, which makes visiting with a pushchair difficult.

Getting there & parking

The complex stands at the Coal Market (Targ Węglowy), at the end of ul. Długa.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

A museum shop operates at the box office.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit