The building was originally a late Gothic church, the only remaining medieval structure in Hel after the old town was destroyed by sea erosion.
The museum features a collection of traditional Pomeranian fishing boats known as 'pomeranki'.
The observation deck is situated in the former church tower, offering 360-degree views of the sandy Hel Spit.
The exhibition includes a significant collection of Baltic amber, showcasing its historical and natural formation.
Displays provide data on the specific impact of changing Baltic salinity levels on local fish populations.
The Fisheries Museum in Hel is housed in a repurposed 15th-century Gothic church of St. Peter and St. Paul, located on the Hel Peninsula. It operates as a specialized branch of the National Maritime Museum in Gdańsk. The facility focuses on the history of Baltic Sea fishing, the development of maritime technology, and the ecological state of the region. Permanent exhibitions display traditional wooden fishing boats, archaic navigational instruments, and historical netting techniques. A key feature of the site is the observation tower, which provides a panoramic view of the Hel Peninsula and the Gulf of Gdańsk. The museum archives detail the transition of Hel from a historical fishing village into a modern seaside destination. Visitors can explore the architectural integration of a medieval sacral structure with modern maritime exhibit layouts. It remains a primary educational institution for understanding Northern Poland's maritime heritage.
The top balcony of the observation tower for a wide-angle shot of the Hel Peninsula stretching into the Baltic Sea.
Climb the observation tower early in your visit to get a layout of the surrounding peninsula.
Prioritize the outdoor exhibition area, which displays larger maritime machinery and historical anchor collections.
Check for temporary thematic exhibitions in the lower levels, which rotate seasonally.
Do not mistake the museum building for an active church; it is purely a secular institution.
Closed on Mondays; hours are reduced during the winter off-season.
