Ołowianka Granaries

The Ołowianka Granaries (Spichlerze na Ołowiance) are a group of historic warehouses on an island on the east bank of the Motława, and they house the main site of Poland's National Maritime Museum in Gdańsk. The brick buildings face the medieval Crane and the Long Quay, and their steep roofs are one of the defining sights of the city's waterfront.

What was Ołowianka?

In the Middle Ages the island was called Szafarnia. It served as a transshipment point for the port, and its warehouses held mainly grain, salt, iron, anchors and millstones. The present name comes from a lead depot known as the Lead Court, which moved onto the island in 1597. By the middle of the 17th century there were seven granaries here.

Where do the granaries' names come from?

The museum occupies three historic granaries, each with its own name.

• Oliwski is the oldest and dates back to the Gothic period. It is named after the Cistercians of Oliwa, who used it; earlier it was known as the "Monastery" granary.
• Panna ("the Maiden") is a Baroque building named after a figure that once stood on its roof. The name first appears in records in 1709, and the granary replaced an older medieval warehouse.
• Miedź ("Copper") takes its name from the goods once stored inside.

How did the museum end up here?

The museum's founders always wanted it to occupy the buildings of the old port: the Crane, the quays and these granaries. After the war, however, Ołowianka lay in ruins, so the rebuilt Crane became the first seat. Only the walls of the three granaries survived. Once they were rebuilt, exhibition halls opened in Panna, Miedź and Oliwski in 1989, and that same summer the steamship "Sołdek" was moored at the island's quay. Since 2000, after two further granaries, "Mała" and "Duża Dąbrowa", were added, the island has been the museum's main site.

What is on display?

The main exhibition runs through the interiors of the three historic granaries. It covers navigation, boatbuilding, shipbuilding and naval battles in Polish waters from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. You will see finds from wrecks on the Baltic seabed, detailed models of shipyards and ports, and mementoes of notable seafarers. A large part of the display is given over to models of sailing ships, warships and merchant vessels, including the "Vasa", MS "Batory" and ORP "Orzeł".

The route ends in the Maritime Gallery, a collection of marine painting. Seventeenth and eighteenth century works by Dutch and Flemish painters hang alongside canvases by Ivan Aivazovsky, Wojciech Weiss, Ferdynand Ruszczyc and Marian Mokwa. An audio guide in Polish and English is available for the gallery.

Getting there and what to combine it with

A lifting footbridge over the Motława links the island with the Main Town. It is raised regularly to let boats through, so allow a few minutes for waiting. "Sołdek" is moored right beside the granaries, and across the river stand the Crane and the Maritime Culture Centre. The museum sells combined tickets for these branches, so the whole complex can be planned as a single outing.

Frequently asked questions

How many granaries belong to the museum? The exhibition runs through three historic granaries: Panna, Miedź and Oliwski. Two more, "Mała" and "Duża Dąbrowa", were added in 2000.

Are the buildings original? Only the walls of the three granaries survived the war. The rest was rebuilt, and the exhibition halls opened in 1989.

Is the museum wheelchair accessible? Yes. The exhibitions are accessible, there is a lift, and adapted toilets are available in the lobby.

Can I take photos? Amateur photos without flash or a tripod are allowed for personal use, except in the Maritime Gallery.

How much time should I allow? The granaries together with "Sołdek" and the Crane across the river make for a good part of a day.