The European Solidarity Centre is a large museum and library that provides a detailed account of Poland’s modern history, from the rise of the communist regime to its fall, which has its roots right here in Gdańsk.

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The Centre has been operating since 2014, when a large, brand-new building, constructed in an interesting industrial style, was opened. The façade is entirely clad in so-called Cor-Ten steel, reflecting the industrial setting in which the civil resistance movement against the communist regime was born.

Museum exhibitions

As well as the museum, the building also houses a research centre for the study of totalitarian regimes and an extensive library.

In the permanent interactive exhibitions, you can explore more than 2,000 artefacts from the communist era and a highly detailed account of the rise of the trade union movement and the fall of socialism in Poland. As well as information panels, there are several rooms with screens showing documentary films.

Admission and opening hours

Opening hours vary depending on the season and day of the week; you can find the latest information on the centre’s website.

October–April

• Monday, Wednesday to Friday: 10:00–17:00
• Saturday and Sunday: 10:00–18:00
• Tuesday: closed

May–September

• Monday to Friday: 10.00–19.00
• Saturday and Sunday: 10.00–20.00

Ticket prices areas follows:

• 40 pln – adults
• 35 pln – children under 19, students under 26 and over-65s

Is it necessary to book tickets online?

Admission to the museum is limited, so it is best to buy a ticket at least one day in advancevia the official website.

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The Story of Polish Freedom

The European Solidarity Centre provides an excellent overview of Poland’s modern history, with implications for the entire former Soviet bloc.

Many historians agree that it was in the Gdańsk shipyards on 31 August 1980 that the slow collapse of communist regimes across Eastern Europe began. On this day, a wave of strikes reached its peak, the longest of which took place at the local shipyards (Stocznia Gdańska). The very first agreement on the legalisation of independent trade unions was signed with the ruling party, signalling the end of its monopoly on power.

The trade union movement at the Gdańsk shipyards was calledSolidarność, meaning ‘Solidarity’. It was led by Lech Wałęsa, an electrician who later became president of the newly free Republic of Poland.

Getting to the Solidarity Centre

The European Solidarity Centre is situated to the north of the city centre, less than 2 km’s walk from the main square.

Right on the square with the tall monument, you’ll find the “Plac Solidarności” tram stop, served by lines 7, 8 and 10. All these services run from Gdańsk Central Station, from where it takes just 3 minutes (1 stop) to reach the centre.

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