The Emigration Museum in Gdynia, opened to the public in 2015, occupies a unique place on the cultural map of Poland. Located in the historic building of the Gdynia Maritime Station, a place symbolically connecting the past with the present, it reminds us of those who left their homeland for various reasons.
The mission of the Museum is not only to store exhibits, but above all to educate and commemorate an important aspect of Polish history.
History of the creation and importance of the Museum in Gdynia
The Emigration Museum in Gdynia, opened to the public in 2015, occupies a unique place on the cultural map of Poland. Its history is inextricably linked with the history of the city of Gdynia - a dynamic port that became the gateway to the world for many Poles emigrating for various reasons, both political and economic.
Located in the historic building of the Maritime Station, the museum is located in a place that in the past played a key role in the lives of thousands of emigrants. The Maritime Station was not only a witness of farewells and hopes, but also a point from which new, often uncertain, paths of life began.
This significant location symbolically connects the past with the present, reminding us of those who left their homeland for various reasons.
The mission of the Emigration Museum is not only to store exhibits related to the history of Polish emigration, but above all to educate and commemorate this important aspect of Polish history. The museum's interactive exhibitions, educational programs and meetings aim to familiarize visitors with the fate of those who decided to live outside Poland.
The museum tries to show not only the hardships and challenges of emigration, but also the influence that Poles had on the cultures and communities in which they settled.
The collection of the Emigration Museum in Gdynia is impressive and diverse. It includes thousands of objects, documents, photographs and souvenirs that tell the personal stories of emigrants. From letters and diaries to everyday objects, these exhibits allow visitors to gain a deeper understanding and empathize with the experiences of those who made the difficult decision to leave their homeland.
Thanks to modern technologies, the Emigration Museum in Gdynia also offers unique, interactive experiences. Visitors can "move around" around the world, tracing the paths of the Polish diaspora, and listening to direct accounts and testimonies of those who were part of this history.
The Emigration Museum in Gdynia not only provides insight into the history of Polish emigration, but also offers interactive experiences that allow visitors to "travel" around the various places in the world where Poles settled and listen to the accounts of direct witnesses of these events.
What will you see at the Emigration Museum in Gdynia?
The Emigration Museum in Gdynia, the first institution of this type in Poland, offers a comprehensive exhibition devoted to the history of Polish emigrants.
Here are some of the most interesting attractions worth seeing when visiting this facility:
History of Polish emigrants: The exhibition begins with the story of the first migrations on Polish lands, presenting the stories of famous Poles such as Tadeusz Kościuszko, Jan Henryk Dąbrowski and Józef Ossoliński. On the walls there are books and works by our famous bards, including Adam Mickiewicz and Juliusz Słowacki, who as emigrants expressed their longing for their homeland in their works
Industrial revolutions and their impact on emigration: The following sections of the museum illustrate the history of industrial revolutions and their impact on Polish emigration. There is the world's largest model of the Batory transatlantic liner, allowing visitors to understand the difficult situation of Poles during wars, deportations to Siberia, and mass emigration to the USA and Brazil
The story of displaced persons and economic emigration: The museum also discusses the topic of displaced persons who found themselves in the new regained lands in Poland, and economic emigration after Poland's accession to the European Union
Interactive installations and multimedia exhibitions: The museum offers modern, multimedia exhibitions, including information boards, maps, photos, models, period posters, books, guides and props such as suitcases and trunks. There are also multimedia screens that each visitor can use using an individual stylus.
Emigration of the Sikor family to the USA: One of the most touching stories is the story of the Sikor family, which set out for the USA from a poor village in Podkarpacie. Their journey is told through authentic letters and accounts, allowing visitors to feel their emotions and hopes for a better life.
Silver globe and stories of Polish emigrants: An interesting element of the exhibition is an installation in the form of a silver globe, from which you can hear the statements of Polish emigrants about their experiences of living in another country. This innovative installation allows visitors to understand personal stories and emotions related to life abroad.
Shocking facts and curiosities: The museum also presents shocking information, for example that 15% of the poorest transatlantic passengers traveling from Europe to America did not survive the journey due to terrible sanitary conditions. Moreover, visitors can learn about interesting characters such as Eugeniusz Pieniążek, who independently constructed a plane and fled from Poland to Yugoslavia.
Long-term effects of emigration: The museum also presents the long-term effects of emigration on the example of Poles who left the country and whose descendants now live all over the world. This part of the exhibition highlights the influence of the Polish diaspora on the world and the importance of maintaining Polish traditions and culture in emigration.
Testimony of returns to Poland: The exhibition also includes the stories of those who decided to return to Poland, showing various motives and experiences related to the decision to return to their homeland.
The Emigration Museum in Gdynia is a place that provides a comprehensive look at the history of Polish emigration. A visit to the museum is not only a history lesson, but also a deep emotional experience that allows you to understand both the difficulties and triumphs of life abroad. Museum exhibitions present a wide range of topics - from individual stories and experiences, through the impact of industrial revolutions on emigration, to contemporary contexts of migration.
By visiting the Emigration Museum in Gdynia, you can not only deepen your knowledge about the past, but also look at contemporary migration phenomena in a new light, noting that the history of emigration is still alive and influences the modern world. The museum is an important place of national memory, education and reflection, at the same time being a bridge connecting different generations of Poles scattered around the world.
In this way, the Emigration Museum in Gdynia not only documents the past, but also becomes a living witness of Polish history and culture, the echoes of which resound all over the world. This is a place that every Pole should visit to understand how multi-layered and complex are the fates of our compatriots who, for various reasons, decided to live outside Poland.
How to get to the Emigration Museum in Gdynia
Access to the Emigration Museum in Gdynia from Gdańsk is possible both by bus and by SKM (Szybka Kolej Miejska).
Here are some details on how to get to the Museum in Gdynia:
Arrival by bus
The nearest bus stops are "Dworzec Morski - Emigration Museum 01" (2 minutes on foot) and "Dworzec Morski - Wzgórze Św. Maksymilian Syrokomla" and "Maritime Station - Emigration Museum - Redłowska Plate".
Bus lines that stop near the Emigration Museum are 119, 133, 740, 770.
Access via SKM railway
The nearest railway station is Gdynia Główna (approximately 28 minutes on foot to the museum).
The SKM line provides direct access to Gdynia from Gdańsk.
Taking a Taxi
When planning a visit to the Emigration Museum in Gdynia, choosing the right means of transport is crucial to make the trip as comfortable and convenient as possible. When considering different options, it is worth considering taking a taxi from Gdańsk.
Taxi offers direct and comfortable transport straight from your accommodation in Gdańsk to the Museum Emigration in Gdynia. You don't have to worry about transfers or public transport schedules. Your trip to the museum will be simple and pleasant.
When using a taxi, you have full control over your departure time. You can adjust your travel time to your individual schedule, whether you prefer early mornings or late afternoons. This flexibility is especially useful if you have a tight schedule or want to visit more places in one day.
Taxis provide comfort and privacy, which is invaluable, especially if you are traveling with luggage, with children or in a larger group. You can sit back, relax during the ride and prepare to explore the museum without feeling rushed.
Taxis are easily available in Gdańsk. You can order them in advance by phone or online, or catch them at one of the many stops around the city.
Contact information, Opening Hours and Ticket Prices to the Museum:
Address: Emigration Museum, Polska Street, Gdynia.
Museum opening hours: Tuesday - 12:00-20:00; Wednesday-Friday - 10:00-18:00. The museum is closed on Mondays.
Price list: Normal ticket - PLN 18/person; reduced ticket - PLN 13/person Audio guides are available for an additional fee of PLN 10/person, available in the following languages: Polish, English, German, French, Spanish and Swedish.
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