Did you know that in Gdańsk there is a museum that commemorates one of the first battles for Polish independence during World War II?
The Polish Post Museum commemorates the heroic defence of Polish postmen who resisted German troops on 1 September 1939, fighting not only for the building, but also for Polish identity.
Find out what stories lie within its walls, what mementos remain from its defenders, and why this place is so important to national memory.
The establishment and development of the Polish Post Museum in Gdańsk
The Polish Post Museum in Gdańsk was established to commemorate the Polish Post employees who heroically resisted German troops in the Free City of Gdańsk on 1 September 1939. By fighting for the post office building, they defended something more – Polish identity in a place where it was particularly difficult and important.
The museum was opened in 1979, exactly on the 40th anniversary of the outbreak of World War II . Since then, it has served not only as a museum, but also as an important point on the map of national memory – a space that still reminds us of the unwavering attitude of Poles in Gdańsk.
But the Polish Post Museum in Gdańsk is more than just a historical site. It is a symbol of resistance, a testament to courage, and a reminder of how precious freedom is.
Have you ever wondered what role such places play in our national identity? They are like living monuments – they remind us of the past, teach us, and make history not just a record in textbooks, but something that still lives within us.
Heroic Defense of the Polish Post Office
On September 1, 1939, when the world learned of the outbreak of World War II, the employees of the Polish Post Office in Gdańsk faced a dramatic choice: surrender or fight.
They chose to fight even though they knew they had limited resources and little chance of success.
The defence of the Polish Post Office lasted 14 hours – the defenders repelled attacks with flamethrowers and bombs, showing great heroism.
After the fighting ended, most of them were arrested and shot by the German occupiers. Their attitude became a symbol of steadfastness, courage and patriotism.
The commander of this defense was Konrad Guderski , a member of the Riflemen's Association and an experienced intelligence officer. Although he died at the beginning of the clash, his example inspired the other postal workers until the very end.
Józef Wąsik also distinguished himself among the defenders, trying to extinguish fires started by flamethrowers. The defenders of the Polish Post Office in Gdańsk are true heroes, whose memory remains alive thanks to this museum.
Exhibitions at the Polish Post Museum
The Polish Post Museum in Gdańsk offers authentic memorabilia that take visitors back to the times of the dramatic defence of the post office.
Which exhibitions are worth seeing?
The History of the Polish Post Office in the Free City of Gdańsk – this part of the exhibition shows the important role played by the post office in the years 1920–1939. It was not only an office, but also the centre of the Polish community, fighting to preserve its national identity.
Post Office Telegraph No. 1 – a place that played a key role in communication between Poland and the Free City. Thanks to archival documents and photographs, we can better understand its significance.
Objects from the mass grave in Zaspa – moving testimonies of the heroism of Polish Post employees, which remind us of their sacrifice. Among the exhibits are personal belongings of defenders, which allow visitors to experience the emotional dimension of this history.
Each of these exhibitions at the Polish Post Museum in Gdańsk allows visitors to feel the atmosphere of those days and appreciate the importance of postal activities in the national context.
Monument to the Defenders of the Polish Post Office – a tribute to the heroes
In front of the Polish Post Museum in Gdańsk , on the Defenders of the Polish Post Square, there is a dynamic monument commemorating the heroism of postmen on September 1, 1939 – the day the Second World War broke out.
The sculpture, unveiled in 1979, depicts a dying postman being given a rifle by the goddess Nike , symbolizing the passing on of the fighting spirit.
Letters spill out of an open mailbag, and doves fly above Nike's head as a symbol of peace. The entire piece, made of stainless steel, is the work of artists Wincenty Kućma and Krystyna Hajdo-Kućma .
The monument commemorates the heroic defense of the Polish Post and Telegraph Office – one of the first clashes of World War II. For 15 hours, 53 postmen repelled the attack of German forces, fighting for the Polishness of Gdańsk. After the capitulation, many of them were arrested and sentenced to death.
This important place of remembrance attracts locals and tourists every year who pay tribute to the heroes and reflect on values such as patriotism and sacrifice .
The Polish Post Museum as part of the Gdańsk Museum
The Polish Post Museum is part of the Gdańsk Museum , which enables close cooperation in education and promotion of the history of the region.
Thanks to this, the Polish Post Museum in Gdańsk organizes numerous temporary exhibitions and educational events that attract not only history lovers, but also the younger generation.
Joint projects and lectures make each visit an opportunity to learn about the history of Gdańsk and the fate of its inhabitants from a new perspective.
Are you planning a visit to the Polish Post Museum in Gdańsk? Here's what you need to know
The Polish Post Museum in Gdańsk is a unique place that every history lover should visit. Here you will find not only fascinating exhibits related to the activities of the Polish Post in the Free City of Gdańsk , but also the dramatic stories of the defenders of the post office from September 1, 1939 – people who resisted the German invaders, defending Polish identity.
The museum offers permanent and temporary exhibitions that present everyday life in that era and show what an important role the Polish Post Office played in our history.
This is an excellent opportunity to feel the atmosphere of those times and better understand the fate of the defenders who fought for every scrap of Polishness in Gdańsk.
Before your visit , please check the museum's website for opening hours and ticket prices .
The museum is open to visitors year-round, and often offers free admission on selected national holidays and historical anniversaries. This means you can plan your visit to take advantage of additional attractions or discounts.
Visiting hours
Monday : closed
Tuesday - Saturday : 10:00 - 16:00
Sunday : 10:00 - 15:00
Last entry is 30 minutes before the museum closes.
Wednesdays : Free admission for individual visitors (no organised groups).
Ticket prices
Regular ticket : PLN 18
Reduced ticket : PLN 13
Family ticket (two adults with at least one child): PLN 30
Group ticket (min. 10 people): PLN 13/person
Wrocław Senior Card : ticket on Sunday for PLN 5/person
Large Family Card : PLN 9/person
Additional services
Guided tours for groups : In Polish – PLN 70 + entrance tickets, in English – PLN 150 + entrance tickets.
Museum lessons : Cost: PLN 60 + PLN 10 entrance ticket for each participant.
Other museums related to the history of the post office
Post and Telecommunications Museum in Wrocław – founded in Warsaw in 1921, moved to Wrocław in 1956.
It is one of the largest postal museums in Poland, with historic mailboxes, postmen's uniforms, telegraph and telephone equipment and an impressive collection of postage stamps.
Documents the history of post and telecommunications in Poland and the activities of the Polish Post Office over the centuries.
The Postman Museum in Koszalin – dedicated to the profession of the postman and his role in society. The exhibition includes old uniforms, mail bags, bicycles and other items used by postmen over the years.
Philately Museum in Warsaw – focuses on the history of postage stamps in Poland and around the world. It has rich collections of stamps, postcards and other philatelic materials documenting changing motifs and symbols on stamps.
Postal museums around the world
Museum of Communication in Bern, Switzerland – The museum presents the history of communication, including post, telephony and television. Interactive exhibitions allow you to learn about the development of communication technologies and their impact on society.
Postal Museum in London, UK – a museum dedicated to the history of the British post office. It offers interactive exhibits and the opportunity to ride a historic mail train that carried mail under the streets of London.
National Postal Museum in Washington, USA – part of the Smithsonian Institution, dedicated to the history of the American postal service and philately. It has vast collections of stamps and old equipment used to transport letters and parcels.
Philatelic Museum in Tokyo, Japan – specializes in philately, displaying stamps from Japan and other countries. It is a place full of rare exhibits that attract stamp enthusiasts from all over the world.
Le Musée de La Poste in Paris, France – a museum dedicated to the history of the French post and the development of philately. The collection includes old mailboxes, uniforms, documents and stamps illustrating the history and culture of France.
India National Philatelic Museum in New Delhi, India – documents the history of postal and philately in India, offering unique stamp collections and documents relating to the history of communication in the region.
Hong Kong Postal Museum, Hong Kong – The museum shows the history of Hong Kong's postal service, from colonial times to the present day. The collection includes old mailboxes, postmen's uniforms and stamps documenting the history of the region.
Museum for Communication in Frankfurt and Berlin, Germany – German communication museums focus on the history of post, telecommunications and information technology. They present old communication devices and extensive philatelic collections.
Museum of Post and Telecommunications in Wrocław
The Post and Telecommunications Museum was founded in 1921 in Warsaw, and since 1956 it has been located in the historic building of the Main Post Office in Wrocław .
This unique place collects exhibits related to the history of post and telecommunications, including the activities of the Polish Post Office , whose origins date back to 1558, when it was founded by King Sigismund Augustus.
The collection includes:
- Philately department – a rich collection of postage stamps, including rare and collectible items.
- The history of post and telecommunications – from old mailboxes, through telegraphs and telephones, to postmen's uniforms.
- Library – Polish and foreign literature relating to philately and telecommunications.
The museum regularly organizes exhibitions on philatelic, historical and artistic topics, which win awards, including the Museum Event of the Year Competition . It also publishes publications, such as collection catalogs and historical monographs.
Opening hours of the museum in Wrocław
The museum is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Philately – what is it and why is it fascinating?
Philately is a fascinating hobby that involves collecting postage stamps, cards, stamps and other postal items, as well as exploring knowledge related to their history and culture.
Philately is not limited to collecting, but also includes research into the history of postal work, printing techniques and stamp design.
Philately definition
The term "philately" comes from the Greek words "philein" (friend) and "atelia" (freedom), literally meaning "love of free items" – in this case, postage stamps.
Philately includes collecting stamps, postal stationery (e.g. envelopes with stamps and postmarks) and historical documents related to the post office.
A Brief History of Philately
Philately gained popularity in the 19th century, and the first postage stamp, known as the "Penny Black", was issued in England in 1840.
In Poland, the first stamp was issued in 1860. The philatelic movement quickly developed around the world, and in 1893 the first Polish philatelic club was established. Today, philately is very popular, and philatelic clubs and associations operate on every continent.
Philatelic curiosities
Philatelist's Day – celebrated on January 6, promotes interest in stamp collecting and postal history.
Famous philatelists – among the famous collectors was King George V, who had one of the largest stamp collections in the world.
Valuable Stamps – Some stamps are reaching record prices at auction. For example, a “British Guiana 1c magenta” sold for over $9 million, making it one of the most expensive stamps in history.
Thematic collections – philatelists often create thematic collections, such as art, nature, history or sporting events, which allows them to discover different aspects of culture and history.
Diversity of collections
Philately is more than just collecting stamps – it is a fascinating world full of various valuables, such as mint and cancelled stamps , postal stationery (i.e. envelopes with a stamp and a postmark), and even historical documents .
Stamp collections can be incredibly diverse and take on a unique, thematic character thanks to the different motifs found on the stamps.
And best of all, every philatelist can create his collection according to his personal interests! Are you interested in nature?
You choose stamps with animal motifs. Or maybe you are fascinated by monuments, famous people or important historical events? Philately gives you complete freedom in creating your own, unique collection .
Philately as a science and art
Philately is not just a hobby – it is also a science and art . Each stamp is a testimony to its era, and research on them allows us to delve into history, the development of printing technologies, and national and cultural symbolism.
For many people, philately becomes a way to discover the world through small pieces of paper that often tell more about culture, politics and history than many books. Isn't it amazing how much you can learn about the world just by collecting stamps?
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