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The European Solidarity Centre is a modern cultural institution, museum, and educational and research center in Gdańsk that commemorates the birth of the Solidarity movement and the fall of communism in Central and Eastern Europe.
Location and Architecture
ECS is located at Solidarity Square 1, next to the historic Gate No. 2 of the Gdańsk Shipyard and the Monument to the Fallen Shipyard Workers of 1970. The building’s austere design resembles a ship’s hull, but inside it is bright, spacious, and full of greenery – featuring a winter garden, a restaurant, and a publicly accessible viewing terrace (free entry) with panoramic views of Gdańsk and the shipyard.
Main Attractions and Exhibitions
– The permanent exhibition: covers approximately 3,000 m² across two floors. It presents the history of “Solidarity,” the strikes at the Gdańsk Shipyard, the events of December 1970, the introduction of martial law, the fall of communism, and the revolutions in Central and Eastern Europe.
- Original Boards with the 21 Demands inscribed on UNESCO’s International “Memory of the World” Register
- The bullet-pierced jacket of 20-year-old shipyard worker Ludwik Piernicki, a victim of the December 1970 events
- The desk of Jacek Kuroń, the crane of Anna Walentynowicz, a reconstruction of the Round Table, and many other authentic artifacts and memorabilia
- Multimedia projections, archival films, photographs, newspaper clippings, and more
– STOCZNIA (Shipyard): a separate exhibition dedicated to the history of the shipbuilding industry in Gdańsk, covering over 150 years of the city’s history.
Educational Activities and Mission
– ECS is not just a museum – it also serves as an archive, media library, and reading room featuring collections of books, archival materials, magazines, and multimedia.
– It is a civic space for meetings, festivals, debates, concerts, scientific conferences, and artistic events (e.g., Solidarity of Arts, All About Freedom Festival).
– The building houses the office of Lech Wałęsa and spaces for non-governmental organizations.
Practical Information for Visitors
– Opening hours (May–September):
Monday–Friday: 10:00 AM–7:00 PM
Saturday–Sunday: 10:00 AM–8:00 PM
– October–April:
Monday, Wednesday–Friday: 10:00 AM–5:00 PM
Saturday–Sunday: 10:00 AM–6:00 PM
Tuesday: technical day (exhibition closed)
– Permanent exhibition ticket prices:
Regular: 30 PLN
Reduced: 25 PLN
Family ticket (2 adults + 2 or 3 children): 84 PLN (or 60 PLN with the Large Family Card)
Group tickets: 28 PLN (regular), 22 PLN (reduced)
Audio guide included
– Tickets and reservations online: bilety.ecs.gda.pl
– Every Friday (usually until July 18th), special workshops and activities for families and children are held (details on the ECS website).
Visiting Tips
– Allocate at least 3 hours to explore the permanent exhibition.
– The building is fully accessible for people with disabilities.
– Gastronomic and relaxation areas are available on site.
Historical Significance
The greatest value of ECS lies not only in its museum exhibition but also in preserving the memory of democratic transformations in Poland and Europe, fostering civic awareness, spreading the ideas of solidarity, and educating future generations about the role of the “Solidarity” movement, which contributed to the fall of communism and the Iron Curtain.