Lech Walesa tour Gdansk
Lech Walesa tour Gdansk

The Solidarity Route of Gdansk – The Lech Walesa Tour

Last update – March 2024

Very popular as a shore excursion to Gdansk since you may combine this trip with the Gdansk City Tour.

Even though many Polish cities were fighting against the communist regime, Gdansk is called the cradle of Solidarity. Here in the Lenin Shipyard, Lech Walesa (in Polish Wałęsa) worked as an electrician, and it was he who became the leader of the strikes in 1980 which ultimately brought about the fall of the iron curtain not only in Poland but in other European countries as well.

We will start our tour with a visit to the European Solidarity Centre (called also Solidarity Museum). Here we will go through Polish history, the reasons for and the causes of the strikes in 1970 and 1980, the Gdansk Agreement, the carnival of Solidarity and Martial Law. In the end we will learn about the first free elections.

Gate-no.2-of-the-Gdansk-Shipyard-photo-made-by-Ania-Anna-Kotula
Gate-no.2-of-the-Gdansk-Shipyard-photo-made-by-Ania-Anna-Kotula

Later we will see the neighboring Monument to the fallen Shipyard Workers of 1970, which commemorates the first three workers murdered here by the police during the strikes in 1970. Our next stop is St. Bridget’s church in Gdansk which served as a meeting place for the political opposition. Many famous heads of states have been here, among others: Margaret Thatcher, Ronald Reagan, and George Bush. St. Bridget’s church is also famous for its amber altar which is under construction in the church. Even it is not ready yet, we can already admire its beauty. After completion it will be bigger than the famous Amber Room also built by craftsmen from Gdansk.

St. Bridget's Church in Gdansk
St. Bridget's Church in Gdansk

The Solidarity Route of Gdansk – The Lech Walesa Tour details:

  • Duration of the trip: 4 hours, it is a walking tour.

  • Cost: Euro 145 per group.

  • Meeting point: The European Solidarity Centre (Solidarity Museum in Gdansk) or I will pick you up at your hotel.

The European Solidarity Centre tour
The European Solidarity Centre in Gdansk

Entrance fees on the route of The Solidarity Route of Gdansk – The Lech Walesa Tour

Last update – March 2024

European Solidarity Centre (Solidarity Museum in Gdansk): regular ticket 35 PLN, discount ticket 30 PLN, regular group ticket (11 people or more) 32 PLN, discount group ticket (11 people or more) 25 PLN

St. Bridget’s church in Gdansk: regular ticket 5 PLN

4 PLN is only about €1

You may combine this trip with the Gdansk City Tour, Gdansk, Gdynia and Sopot in one day or In the footsteps of John Paul II in Gdansk. If you come to Gdansk with children, let me know their ages and I will suggest some attractions for them.

How to book the Solidarity Route of Gdansk – The Lech Walesa Tour in English, Dutch or Spanish?

The best way is to fill in the below contact form and we will reply to you within 24 hours. We always reply. If you do not see our answer, please check SPAM folder. The title of our message will be „Tour Guide Service Gdansk”.

If you need a tour guide for Gdansk in French or German, please let me know. We can arrange it for you as well. 

You can also contact us via WhatsApp, please see our details here!

private tour guide for Gdansk - Ania Anna Kotula
private tour guide for Gdansk - Ania Anna Kotula

The Solidarity Route of Gdansk – The Lech Walesa Tour in PDF