Gdańsk: European Solidarity Centre & Solidarity History Guided Tour
Tour focusing on history of Solidarity and the fall of communism in the European Solidarity Centre at the Gdańsk Shipyard. Trace the 1980 strikes and the movement that changed Europe as you follow the permanent exhibition through the 21 Demands boards, Lech Wałęsa’s story, the rise of Solidarity, and the shipyard itself.
Basic Information
Total time
2h
Language
English, Polish (check the calendar for availability)
Price
„Pay what you wish” tours do not have a fixed price. It is up to you to evaluate your guide’s work and reward it. Some people give 10€, others 50€ depending on their satisfaction and abilities.
Meeting point
European Solidarity Centre, in front of the building Nearest public transport: Plac Solidarności 02 tram stop; Plac Solidarności 01 tram stop
Additional info
☂︎ This tour is organised by Walkative Gdańsk guides. Look for the guide with the yellow umbrella.
❗Our tours run no matter the weather. High or low temperatures, rain or snow is not a reason for us to cancel our tours. We are always here for you. The only reason for cancellations are extreme weather conditions (like heavy storms…), guide's sudden sickness or no minimum number of people (5) to run the tour, but we will always let you know using the data you provided during registration for the tour.Booking rules
Booking is obligatory. Our pay as you wish tours are designed for individual travellers and small groups. We don’t accept parties of more than 15 people on them. If you travel in a party of 16 or more (school groups, bigger groups of friends etc.), please book a Private Tour. For more information on the latter, please contact us.
About the tour
The European Solidarity Centre (ECS) is not only one of the newest museums in Poland, but also a museum presenting recent European history. A rust-coloured building resembling the crude hull of a ship under construction hides an exhibition presenting the bloodless upheaval staged by the shipyard workers of Gdańsk in 1980.
Walkative!’s top-notch guides, who are qualified to lead tours of the permanent exhibition, will take you through the story of how the regime fell thanks to the determination of the workers.
You are welcome to arrange a private tour at your convenience of the ECS main exhibition. We recommend a group of up to 10 people (maximum limit is 15 people). The tour of the ECS lasts approximately 2 hours. Our guides are ready to answer your questions, including those that go beyond the themes of the exhibition. The price of the tour does not include the price of the museum tickets. Call or write for details.
Highlights
- 1
European Solidarity Centre
A modern museum telling the story of the collapse of communism in Europe.
- 2
Solidarity Movement
Learn about the Polish trade union that peacefully challenged the communist regime.
- 3
Gdańsk Shipyard Strike
The 1980 workers' protest that gave birth to the Solidarity movement and changed history.
- 4
The Fall of Communism
Understand the events that sparked the beginning of the end for communism in Europe.
- 5
Lech Wałęsa
The story of the shipyard electrician who jumped the fence and won the Nobel Peace Prize.
621 Postulates
How wooden boards with workers' demands became a priceless document of world heritage.
Map
European Solidarity Centre, in front of the building Nearest public transport: Plac Solidarności 02 tram stop; Plac Solidarności 01 tram stop
