The Old Shipyard in Gdańsk – Cultural Hub and a Lost Place

The former shipyard site in Gdańsk is a place with a rich history, where industrial tradition, political upheavals, and artistic innovation come together. Its origins date back to the 16th century, when the Royal Shipyard (Królewska Stocznia) was established under Polish rule. It served as a crucial shipbuilding center for the Polish Crown and was expanded in the 17th century to strengthen the country’s fleet. Later, under Prussian and German rule, the facility was developed into the Imperial Shipyard, becoming an important part of the region’s maritime economy.

In the 20th century, the site became a key player in Poland’s industry. The Gdańsk Shipyard (Stocznia Gdańska) was one of the country’s largest shipbuilding facilities and gained international recognition through the Solidarity movement. In the 1980s, it became the center of worker protests led by Lech Wałęsa, which played a crucial role in the collapse of the communist regime in Poland.

With the decline of the shipbuilding industry in the 1990s, the area underwent a transformation. Abandoned halls and industrial spaces were repurposed by artists, creatives, and cultural initiatives. Today, the former shipyard is a hub for alternative art, music, and modern architecture. Street art, galleries, and innovative projects have given new life to the once-industrial landscape.

A prime example of this transformation is the European Solidarity Centre (ECS), which opened in 2014. Through multimedia installations and exhibitions, it commemorates the revolutionary events of the Solidarity movement. The historic Gate 2, once the entrance to the shipyard, now stands as a symbol of freedom and resistance.

The unique combination of history, industrial architecture, and contemporary art makes the former shipyard a cultural landmark. Here, the past and the future merge – a place where the history of freedom continues to be told in new forms of expression.