European Solidarity Centre
About This Museum
Would you believe a museum about the fall of communism is housed in a building that looks like it's rusting on purpose? That's the European Solidarity Centre in Gdańsk, a place that feels more like a powerful monument than a simple archive. Stepping inside, you don't just read about history; you walk through a full-scale reconstruction of the shipyard gates and feel the weight of the strikes that reshaped Europe. It’s an incredibly moving experience that connects you directly to the men and women who dared to challenge an empire.
Collection Highlights
The heart of it all is the original '21 Demands' placard, handwritten on a piece of plywood, which started it all. You'll also see Lech Wałęsa's famous jacket covered in protest pins and the monumental BHP Hall replica where the Gdańsk Agreement was signed.
Visitor Information
It's right by the historic Gdańsk Shipyard at pl. Solidarności 1—you can't miss the towering rust-colored walls. Give yourself a good three hours to do it justice; there's so much to absorb.
Architecture & Building
The building is a massive, foreboding structure clad in Corten steel that intentionally rusts to a deep orange-brown, echoing the industrial shipyard cranes surrounding it.
Contact & Location
Address: Europejskie Centrum Solidarności, 1, Plac Solidarności, Stare Miasto, Śródmieście, Gdańsk, województwo pomorskie, 80-863, Polska
Phone: +48 58 772 41 11
Website: Visit Website
