Central Maritime Museum, Gdańsk, Poland

The history of the museum dates back to 1960 when the Pomeranian Museum (now the National Museum) set up an independent branch under the name “Maritime Department”. Two years later this department became a separate institution based in the famous Zuraw Crane in Gdansk. The museum then took over several barns on Olowianka Island. Apart from these and the Wielki Zuraw Crane the other divisions are the Fisheries Museum in Hel, the River Vistula Museum in Tczew and two ships, SS Soldek and Dar Pomorza. The newest addition is the Centre of Maritime Culture.

The museums’ collections relate to the history of ports, shipbuilding, shipping and trade. Among them are historic examples of the craft of shipbuilding, salvage, ship fittings, navigational equipment, propulsion systems, handguns and deck cannons, etc. There are also interesting collections of models of Slavic boats, Gdansk’s medieval ships, warships from the 16th and 17th centuries, Polish merchant and passenger ships between 1920 and 1939 and river boats and tugs built after 1945. The collection also includes examples of vessels from Oceania, Indonesia and Africa. The museum houses art collections with a maritime theme.

References:

Poland Travel

Museums in Poland

User Reviews

Oliwia Biros (38 days ago)
This museum consists of three separates sites on both banks of the river. You can buy a ticket which includes crossing the river on the museums ferry which shuttles back and to every fifteen minutes. The modern site is highly recommended (caters for English speaking tourists). If you are visiting with kids head to the third floor. The other museum located inside the granaries I found a bit boring and sadly it has no English signs. There are wordy English guide books in each room that explain the exhibits but I would rather have audio guide.

Juhani (40 days ago)
Otherwice a great museum, but in my opinion it would be nice if they made it easier for foreigners to get familiar with the content.

Anton Ivchenko (42 days ago)
Big exposition, maybe a little bit dated and lacking interactive elements (maritime museum in Tallinn says hello). But we had a great time.

samuel james (3 months ago)
Do not recommend, staff were really rude, display were confusing and all in Polish. Really did not cater to English people. The cannons exhibition was gold really interesting. The ship was closed as well. Toilets we clean. Would not recommend. 1/5

Filip Malczak (4 months ago)
I've been really surprised by the size of this place. It took me 2 hours to see one floor, while there are 3 floors here - and a standalone ship (opened for tourists) and temporary exhibitions too. Whole place is well organized, clean, not expensive at all and very interesting. 5/5 without any doubt.

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