European Solidarity Centre

The museum part, has done an excellent job of setting the scene through the displays and audio guides. It covers the movement through the various struggles against Communist rule, before the peaceful overthrowing of the regime. Relevant today, as the latest version of Russian imperialism threatens Europe's borders once again

If you’re interested in modern history then this is a ‘must-see’. If you want to keep your costs down, it is possible to walk through the gates and the general surrounding area, including the memorial square, for free otherwise there is a cost to go in. There is also an additional cost to go into the separate exhibition. Simply put, this is the history of the dockyards, the Solidarity movement and how what happened here (and as a consequence of such) impacted and shaped labour relations and politics. This wider world impact is reflected throughout; because we had also been the Baltic states the European Solidarity Centre gave a lot more background to a lot of what we had seen in those countries. The multi-language audio guides are excellent and much of the display was in both Polish and English. If you are one who reads everything you can expect to be here for a good half-day, but there is a very good cafe and separate restaurant on site. There is a free coat drop-off and lockers for your bags (coin operated but token available at the cost drop-off). A little bonus: about 400m away outside the Solidarity offices is a piece of the Berlin Wall that had been gifted in recognition of the role played by Solidarity.

Poles overcome communism, survived difficult time, overcome it and are ready to go further. This center of quasi museum is beautifully done as a legacy for the contemporaries, as it lived and had to fight for freedom. Period objects and artifacts are a gem. History must be admitted, to understand

The European Solidarity Center (Europejskie Centrum Solidarności) is a must-see for anyone interested in history, human rights, and the struggle for freedom. The museum is located in Gdańsk, near the historic shipyard, and is dedicated to the Solidarity movement, which played a key role in the overthrow of the communist regime in Poland. The building itself has a modern design made of brown metal, reminiscent of ship structures. Inside, the space is huge, and the expositions are very interesting: there are many interactive elements, archival videos, personal belongings of shipyard workers, and documents of the time. Here you can feel the atmosphere of protests, listen to the voices of people who fought for change, and understand how important their struggle was. Particularly impressive are the installations that convey the emotions of those events, as well as the Wall of Memory dedicated to those who died during the protests. There is an observation deck on the roof of the building, which offers a beautiful view of the city. This is not just a museum, but a place that makes you think. Even if you are not very familiar with the history of Poland, after visiting the center, you will understand exactly how much this movement changed Europe.

Awesome museum, definitely worth a visit in Gdansk! Lots of interesting things to see, and you get headphones to listen to an audio guide. The center has a great layout and keeps you interested as you walk around exploring the exhibition.

When I was a kid I remember the reports from the Lenin Shipyard and seeing footage of the mustachioed hero of the movement on TV. It got me interested in Central/Eastern European history so to visit the place where it all happened decades later was quite the experience. The museum sets it all out, a bit of a tedious start to begin with with a little too much emphasis over the haggling of the foundation text of the move but the pace soon picks up and what follows is a compelling presentation of the drama of the years 1980 to 1989, the formation of Solidarity, its repression and seeming defeat, its revival and ultimate triumph. Its an amazing story. The museum is on the site of the old Lenin Shipyard. The gates on which Solidarity's demands were posted are still extant as is the memorial to the slain workers of 1970, the first failed attempt to bring a democratic trade union into being. This is an absolute must see for any visitor to Gdanak.

Great visitor centre and museum. You can learn there lot of things about Solidarity movement and modern history of Polish history.

The building alone is well worth the visit, the building is designed to resemble the hulk of a ship under construction and looks incredible. Inside you have a central atrium leading to the permanent exhibition, cafe, shop, office space and rooftop viewing area. The exhibition takes you on a journey through soviet rule, strikes, the solidarity movement, martial law and eventual freedom. It is an excellent exhibition using original artifacts and modern technology. Don't miss it if you are in Gdansk.

I am blown away at how beautiful they this building and installations are. Its quite artistic. The audio guide is excellent and there is an overwhelming amount of information and documentation about this movement. I highly recommend it and encourage all to learn about Polands fight for solidarity.

During our Viking Cruise this last summer, the European Solidarity Centre was our slam dunk shore leave highlight of the trip. Gayle and I love history, and remember well Lech Wałęsa, the Solidarity movement, the influence of Pope John Paul, and the roll all this this played in the eventual fall of the Soviet Union. I had also previously heard Lech Wałęsa speak at the Athenian School (Danville CA) several years ago, so this trip was part of a fascinating learning journey for me. The European Solidarity Centre (Polish: Europejskie Centrum Solidarności) is a museum and library devoted to the history of Solidarity and other opposition movements of Communist Eastern Europe. It opened in 2014 on the grounds of the old former ship yard in Gdansk. The design of the outer walls evoke the hulls of ships built here. My only complaint is that both Gayle and I would have liked more time here to better explore the museum. There's a lot to see here, with lots of interesting exhibits and history to appreciate. And there's a lot more here including a library that contains around 100,000 books and documents, a research and academic centre, and associated programs and conferences. I was also taken with the large open Lobby that allowed me to take it all in after we finished our tour of the exhibits. Gdansk is an interesting international city in itself, with lots to explore. But everything else I experienced here paled in comparison to my visit to Europejskie Centrum Solidarności. If you find your way here, don't miss it!

It's not often that one man can be the touchstone of a nation but standing here, at these flower strewn gates, his influence and achievements for the Polish people are palpable. I'm sure he and those close to him must be incredibly proud every day they look around them. That one man, Lech Wałęsa was an electrician here when it was the Lenin shipyard. I can scarce believe we are standing in the former Lenin (now Gdańsk) shipyard. His office is still within this yard and he is still at work at 76. People like me watched this incredibly brave man and his incredibly brave wife from afar in our own country that was beset with civil war in the 1960's to 1994 too. He became a trade union activist that brought him persecution by the communist ruling powers. He was fired, often arrested yet he still co-founded Solidarity (Niezależny Samorządny Związek Zawodowy "Solidarność") the first non communist controlled trade trade-union movement in a Warsaw Pact country. The Solidarity trade union quickly grew, ultimately claiming over 10 million members; a third of Poland's working population but it's a changed Poland today; modern, sophisticated and free from tyranny. After martial law was imposed in Poland in 1981, Solidarity was outlawed, Wałęsa was again arrested but he continued his activism, he was awarded the Nobel peace prize. Pope John Paul II and the CIA (Ronald Regan's term in office) played important financial and political roles through the turmoil in 1980's Poland and Wałęsa was prominent in the establishment of the 1989 agreement that led to semi free elections in 1989 and to a Solidarity-led government. In 1990 he ran for the newly re-established office of President of Poland. He presided over Poland's transition from communism to what I see all around me now - a post communist, modern state. What a legacy for a truly living icon.