Cabinet of Ministers Adopts Multi-Year Program for the Construction of the Westerplatte and 1939 War Museum – a Branch of the Museum of the Second World War in Gdańsk – for the Years 2023-2027

On Tuesday, the Cabinet of Ministers adopted a resolution presented by the Minister of Culture and National Heritage, Professor Piotr Gliński, regarding the establishment of a multi-year program entitled ‘Construction of the Westerplatte and 1939 War Museum – a Branch of the Museum of the Second World War in Gdańsk’ for the years 2023-2027. The program envisions the creation of an open-air museum presenting the history of Westerplatte, with particular emphasis on the events of the Military Transit Depot and the 1939 War (the Polish Campaign).

Furthermore, the program includes the revitalization of the Westerplatte Battlefield, one of the most recognizable places associated with World War II, both in Poland and worldwide. For Poles, this site holds national significance as a place of memory.

Battlefields where significant fights occurred, with particular importance for the history and collective memory of nations, are under special protection by the Polish State. The protection and proper development of the Westerplatte Battlefield aims to preserve the unique historical, spatial, material, and immaterial values symbolizing the heroism and sacrifice of Polish soldiers.

The investment activities will take place in the area that includes part of the former Military Transit Depot buildings. It is estimated that the planned investments, including the reconstruction of selected historical structures, the revitalization, conservation and renovations of the surviving historical buildings, and the construction of an exhibition pavilion, will cover approximately 13,000 square meters. The estimated cost of building the Westerplatte and 1939 War Museum exceeds 300 million PLN and is budgeted for the years 2023-2027. The Museum of the Second World War in Gdańsk is the investor responsible for the preparation and implementation of the project, which will be financed from the state budget.

Source: Ministry of Culture and National Heritage