European Solidarity Centre, Modern museum near the shipyards in Gdańsk, Poland
The European Solidarity Centre is a museum, library, and convention facility in Gdańsk, Poland. The building stands next to the historic shipyard gate number 2, through which thousands of workers passed during the 1980 strikes.
The institution opened on August 31, 2014, exactly 34 years after the signing of the Gdańsk Agreement. That agreement led to the founding of the first independent trade union in what was then communist Eastern Europe.
The center takes its name from the trade union that originated here and helped bring democracy to Poland. Visitors today see original posters and banners that workers carried during the shipyard strikes.
A visit typically takes two to three hours, depending on how much time you spend with the interactive exhibits. The permanent exhibition spreads across several floors and includes audio and video installations.
The outer shell of the building is made of rusted steel, a material that recalls the industrial past of the shipyards. This facade changes color depending on weather conditions and time of day.
Location: Gdańsk
Location: Powiat gdański
Location: Pomeranian Voivodeship
Inception: January 29, 2007
Official opening: August 31, 2014
Address: pl. Solidarności 1, 80-863 Gdańsk
Opening Hours: May-September Monday-Sunday 10:00-20:00; October-April Monday-Sunday 10:00-18:00
Phone: +48587724000
Website: http://ecs.gda.pl
GPS coordinates: 54.36123,18.64942
Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:28
Gdansk invites you to explore centuries of history through its cobblestone streets and brick buildings. Large gothic churches stand next to Renaissance houses, while signs of its seafaring past are found throughout the city. Walking along the Royal Route, you see historic gates, lively squares, and medieval houses with colorful facades. The Saint Mary’s Church, built between 1343 and 1502, impresses with its size and allows visitors to view its medieval astronomical clock and painted altars. Gdansk also holds key moments from the 20th century. At Westerplatte, a historic peninsula, the first shots of World War II rang out on September 1, 1939. Later, in the city’s shipyards, the Solidarity movement started and changed European history. These events are remembered in several museums that tell the stories of civilians and soldiers. For art and culture lovers, Gdansk offers treasures at every turn. The Artus Court, once a meeting place for merchants, combines gothic and Renaissance styles. Mariacka Street sparkles with shops selling amber, a local gem treasured for centuries. The National Museum shows European paintings from the Middle Ages to today, including Hans Memling’s Last Judgment triptych. The Abbot’s Palace, a rococo building from the 18th century, now hosts contemporary art shows. These places together tell the story of a prosperous trading city that has been rebuilt over the years, always alive and looking ahead.
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517 mVisited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
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