The monument's construction was a central demand of the striking shipyard workers in August 1980.
It was designed by a team including Wiestaw Szyszka, Robert Pepliński, and Elżbieta Szczodrowska.
The base includes a quote from Czesław Miłosz's poem, 'You who wronged a simple man.'
The monument was funded primarily through public donations gathered by the Solidarity trade union.
It remains one of the few monuments in Poland permitted by the authorities during the martial law era.
The Monument to the Fallen Shipyard Workers of 1970 is a 42-meter-tall steel structure featuring three massive crosses with anchors, commemorating workers killed during the anti-communist protests. Unveiled on December 16, 1980, it was the first monument in the Soviet bloc to honor victims of the communist regime. The structure is located at Plac Solidarności, the historic entrance to the former Gdańsk Shipyard. It serves as a symbolic centerpiece for the Solidarity movement that led to the collapse of communism in Poland. The memorial is constructed from heavy steel, reflecting the industrial heritage of the shipyard environment. Each of the three crosses weighs approximately 36 tons and carries heavy anchors symbolizing the connection between the shipyard workers and the sea. The base of the monument is adorned with bas-reliefs depicting scenes from the workers' struggle. It stands as an official site for state ceremonies and memorial observances.
From the steps of the European Solidarity Centre looking toward the monument to capture the scale of the crosses against the shipyard cranes.
Visit the adjacent European Solidarity Centre for a deeper understanding of the monument's historical context.
Walk the perimeter of the nearby shipyard walls to view original protest graffiti and commemorative plaques.
Allocate extra time during December, as the area hosts significant memorial services on the anniversary of the 1970 protests.
Do not treat the base of the monument as a seating area or meeting point, as it is considered a sacred site for many local citizens.
Maintain a respectful tone; this is a place of national mourning and remembrance.
