Gdansk – 2

I stayed at a hotel close to the station as I was continuing my journey by train to Torun two days later. After checking in, I walked to a large monument visible over the tops of the trees and buildings. Anchors were suspended at the top of three tall, grey columns. 

This is the Monument to the Fallen Shipyard Workers 1970 unveiled on 16th December 1980 near the entrance to what was then the Lenin Shipyard. This huge structure was created in the aftermath of the Gdańsk Agreement, about which more later, and was the first monument to the victims of communist oppression erected in a communist country. This memorial commemorates the 42, or more, people killed during events in Gdańsk, Gdynia, Elbląg, and Szczecin in December 1970. Polish citizens had protested after the government suddenly announced massive increases in the prices of basic foodstuffs, especially dairy products, after a bad harvest throughout the course of the year.