Solidarity Monument (Three Crosses)

Overview

The Solidarity Monument (Pomnik Poległych Stoczniowców), commonly known as the Three Crosses Monument, commemorates the 42 workers killed during the December 1970 protests against the communist government. Three towering steel crosses, each 42 meters tall, stand near the shipyard gate as a powerful symbol of sacrifice and resistance.

Highlights

• Three Crosses: Steel crosses topped with ship anchors, reaching 42 meters in height.
• Memorial Plaques: Inscriptions listing the names and ages of the 42 victims.
• Night Illumination: The monument is dramatically lit at night.

History

Unveiled on 16 December 1980, exactly ten years after the massacre, the monument was one of the first in the Soviet bloc to commemorate victims of communist repression. Its construction was one of the 21 demands of the 1980 Solidarity strikes.

Visitor Tips

• Tip 1: Visit in the evening when the crosses are illuminated against the night sky.
• Tip 2: Walk from here to the European Solidarity Centre for the full historical narrative.
• Duration: 10–15 minutes.