I am born in the eighties and I have some family in Poland. One thing that I remember is that my uncle was trying to explain to me about the solidarity. I was to young then. And the issue was to big for me to grasp. I’m older now and I can now fully appreciate the meaning and the importance of solidarity. So it was very special for me during our visit to the “Muzeum Solidarnosci Gdansk”.
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European Solidarity Centre
The museum is a great way to learn more about the Solidarity movement that took place in Poland at the beginning of the eighties. It all started with a walkout and a protest against the communism. And it changed Poland for the better! This museum is where the past meets the future. The Solidarity Center is very well made and you can follow the history and development – from the start until today.
You get an audio guide (available in several languages) but you have to be active and push the buttons to get the information that you want to hear. I saw a “Burda” catalog and right away I was a child, visiting my aunt and uncle in Poland. The Burda catalog was very famous during the old days. It is a magazine full of patterns for clothes.
Fighting for freedom
The whole point of the Solidarity was about freedom. Freedom of speech and the freedom to choose for yourself. Lech Walensa was Poland’s first president that was selected by the people. All of that and loads more are things that you will learn by visiting this museum. And they also draw parallels to today’s fighters, like Nelson Mandela and Gandhi.
This is a place where you can spend a whole day. If you have children under the age of 18 with you – no worries. Parts of the exhibition are explained easier so that the children can understand it. And some parts that are to gruesome to show, are closed for the kids. And if you can’t get enough of the Solidarity movement – no worries. There are a library and a reading room with loads of books about the movement.
Muzeum Solidarnosci Gdansk – An amazing building
The building that houses the museum is incredible by itself. It is newly built but it looks old and rusty. There is an observation deck on top of the building. Sure, this does not give you the best view over the city of Gdansk. However, this is a nice place and you can easily sit down and spend some time just sitting here.
And we also want to recommend you to visit one other museum while in Gdansk. It is the World War II Museum. There you will learn all about the war and the different countries struggles.
Information about the European Solidarity Center
Address: pI. Solidarności 1, 80-863 Gdańsk, Poland
Opening Hours: 10.00 – 18.00 daily.
Website: http://www.ecs.gda.pl
I’ve never been to Gdansk in Poland, but I have been to Warsaw and honestly it’s become one of my favourite places in the world it was so amazing. The culture shock was something that was more subtle but definitely still there enough to leave me reeling, and that probably definitely helped me falling in love with it. I know it’s bad but I haven’t been to any museums in Poland before, but the Solidarity Museum looks like it would be very informational, and important to study more about.
Amy;
Wandering Everywhere