The Crane (Żuraw) is the oldest preserved port crane in Europe, dating back to the 15th century.
The SS Sołdek was the first seagoing ship built in Poland after the end of World War II.
The museum conducts active underwater archaeology, recovering cannons and ship components from the Baltic seabed.
The Ołowianka granaries were repurposed as museum exhibition halls while maintaining their original exterior architecture.
A ferry crossing connects the Ołowianka island site to the riverside promenade near the Crane.
The National Maritime Museum in Gdańsk is primarily located on Ołowianka Island, occupying a complex of historical 19th-century red-brick granaries. The institution maintains an extensive collection focused on the history of Baltic shipping, shipbuilding, and underwater archaeology. Its most iconic structure is the medieval Crane (Żuraw), situated across the Motława River, which serves as both a functional port crane from the 15th century and a branch of the museum. The main site features permanent exhibitions on the history of Polish seafaring, including models of ships and navigational equipment. Interactive zones allow visitors to explore the mechanics of cargo handling and naval engineering. The museum also operates the SS Sołdek, the first ship built in post-WWII Poland, which is permanently moored as a museum vessel. Extensive archival holdings document the evolution of the Gdańsk port and regional maritime trade routes.
The view from the ferry crossing looking back at the Ołowianka granaries with the Crane in the background.
Buy a combined ticket to access the main granary building, the Crane, and the SS Sołdek.
Check the museum website for temporary outdoor exhibitions held on the Ołowianka waterfront.
Allocate extra time for the ferry crossing between the museum and the Crane, as it is a unique historical experience.
Do not attempt to see all exhibition branches in a single afternoon; prioritize the main granaries and the ship if time is limited.
The museum branches, particularly the Crane and the SS Sołdek, may have seasonal accessibility changes; check for periodic closures during off-peak winter months.
