The National Maritime Museum in Gdańsk (Narodowe Muzeum Morskie) occupies a cluster of rebuilt granaries on Ołowianka Island, directly across the Motława River from the Main Town waterfront. It is Poland’s national authority on seafaring history, and visitors come here to trace how the Baltic shaped Gdańsk and the country.
The brick granaries on Ołowianka were destroyed in 1945 and later reconstructed. Inside, galleries cover Polish maritime history from early boats to modern shipping, with ship models, navigational instruments, maritime paintings, and artifacts recovered from Baltic wrecks. Moored alongside is the SS Sołdek, the first oceangoing ship built in post-war Poland. You can climb aboard and explore its engine room, crew cabins, and bridge. Across the water, the museum also runs the medieval Żuraw, Gdańsk’s landmark wooden port crane, which displays port life from the Hanseatic era.
Visitor Highlights & Practical Info
Arrive at opening time on a weekday to avoid summer crowds and cruise-ship groups. Most branches close on Mondays, and hours change by season, so check the museum’s official website before you go. In warmer months, a short museum ferry crosses the Motława between the Żuraw and Ołowianka. Combined tickets covering several branches usually offer the best value. The granaries are a five-minute walk from Długi Targ, and the nearby Maritime Culture Centre adds hands-on exhibits that work well for families.
