Monument to the Fallen Shipyard Workers of 1970

The Monument to the Fallen Shipyard Workers of 1970 in Gdańsk is a trio of towering steel crosses topped with anchors, standing on Solidarity Square next to Gate No. 2 of the Gdańsk Shipyard. It is among the most important symbols of Poland's road to freedom and a must-see for anyone visiting the city.

What does the monument commemorate?

The memorial honours workers killed in December 1970, when protests against food price increases broke out in the coastal cities and the communist authorities answered with gunfire. The first victims fell close to where the monument stands today, by the shipyard gate. Sources give different totals for the death toll across those days, but the memory of the victims remains very much alive in Gdańsk.

What does it look like?

The structure is striking even from a distance. The three stainless steel crosses rise 42 metres, and their irregular, vertically split form suggests a rupture and pain. Brass anchors hang on the crossbeams. The anchor is a sign of hope and also echoes the maritime, shipbuilding character of the place.

On the lower part of the crosses you will find a series of bronze reliefs showing scenes from shipyard life and the working Baltic coast, along with inscriptions. They include a passage from the poem "You Who Wronged" by Czesław Miłosz, the Nobel laureate, and a quotation from Psalm 29. Candles and flowers are usually left at the foot of the monument.

Who designed it, and when was it unveiled?

The final design was the work of Bogdan Pietruszka, sculptors Elżbieta Szczodrowska and Robert Pepliński, and architect Wiesław Szyślak. The monument was unveiled on 16 December 1980, on the tenth anniversary of the tragic events. For that entire decade the authorities refused to allow any commemoration. That changed only after the August strike: the right to erect a memorial was among the demands of the striking shipyard workers, alongside wage claims and the right to form free trade unions.

The unveiling drew crowds to Gdańsk, and the monument immediately became a symbol of Solidarity.

Why visit?

• History in one place. Next to the monument stand Gate No. 2 of the shipyard, a symbol of the 1980 strike, and the European Solidarity Centre, with its exhibition on the movement that changed Europe.
• Scale and symbolism. Only up close do you appreciate how tall the crosses are and how much detail the reliefs contain.
• A place for reflection. The square is open at all times, and the monument is both a site for state ceremonies and a quiet spot for private visits.
• Easy access. It lies close to the Main Town and the railway station, so it fits naturally into a walk around Gdańsk.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the monument? On Solidarity Square in Gdańsk, by Gate No. 2 of the Gdańsk Shipyard, near the place where the first victims fell in December 1970.

How tall is it? Each cross is 42 metres high.

What do the anchors mean? They stand for hope and refer to the maritime, shipyard identity of the site.

When was it unveiled? On 16 December 1980, the tenth anniversary of December 1970.

Is there an entrance fee? The monument stands on an open square and can be visited freely at any time.

What else is nearby? The visit combines well with the nearby European Solidarity Centre and the grounds of the historic shipyard.