Naval Museum in Gdynia

The Polish Navy Museum in Gdynia, opened on June 28, 1953, collects exhibits related to the history of the Navy of the Republic of Poland. Initially, it was housed in an old villa near the beach, where it displayed coastal artillery guns, torpedoes, mines, and historical cannons from the 18th and 19th centuries. In 1960, the museum acquired a significant exhibit – the destroyer ORP *Burza*, which attracted over 3.7 million visitors during its 15-year display. Due to its poor technical condition, the ship was decommissioned in 1976 and replaced by ORP *Błyskawica*, the oldest preserved destroyer in the world. In the 1960s, the museum faced space-related challenges, leading to the relocation of some exhibits to temporary halls. A unique item in the collection is the only preserved example of a German BT 1000 bomb-torpedo from World War II. In 2012, the museum moved to a new building, which it shares with the Gdynia City Museum, and in 2018, to mark the 100th anniversary of the Polish Navy, a new multimedia permanent exhibition was opened. The museum features various departments, including weapons, armaments, numismatics, art, and uniforms. Plans are underway to build an underground section of the facility and expand the outdoor exhibition. From an architectural perspective, the museum blends modernity with rich cultural heritage, showcasing Poland's maritime history through diverse exhibits and interactive displays.