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.
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