Gdańsk Science Museum – Visit the former Tower Clock Museum
- Damian Brzeski
- 6 hours ago
- 11 min read
Gdańsk is not only the Royal Route. It is also a city of science, where time is measured not only in seconds but also in milliseconds of light.
I invite you to the tower of St. Catherine's Church – a place that, despite its tragic history, has become home to some of the most extraordinary mechanisms in the world.
Location and history of the museum
Before we start climbing the steps of the tower, it is worth understanding what an extraordinary place we are in.
This is where the history of Gothic sacred architecture intertwines with modern physics and astronomy, creating an exhibition space unique in Europe.
Why did St. Catherine's Church become the site of a museum?
The oldest parish church in Gdańsk's Old Town dates back to the 1330s. This massive Gothic church survived the war damage of 1945 and the dramatic roof fire of May 22, 2006, ultimately becoming a guardian of Gdańsk's scientific heritage .
The tower's thick walls provide ideal, stable conditions for delicate mechanisms that do not like vibrations or sudden temperature changes.
The role of the Carmelite Order in making the tower accessible
The creation of the museum was made possible thanks to a visionary agreement. In 1996, the management of the thenGdańsk Historical Museum entered into an agreement with the Order of Carmelite Fathers, who manage the church.
The monks agreed to make the interior of the tower available, allowing the raw brick floors to be transformed into modern exhibition halls.
The abbreviation "OO" is the traditional plural form of the word "Fathers," used in church titulary to refer to a group of monks who are priests. The Carmelites themselves (Order of the Brothers of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel) are a contemplative and mendicant community founded in the Holy Land in the 12th century. These monks, recognizable by their brown habits and white mantles, combine austere asceticism and prayer modeled on the prophet Elijah with active pastoral ministry. As the current owners of St. Catherine's Church in Gdańsk, they continue their mission of combining the sacred with the preservation of historical heritage, as evidenced by the opening of the tower to the Museum of Science.
The Gdańsk Science Museum as a branch of the Gdańsk Museum
This institution has undergone an interesting naming evolution, reflecting its changing nature. Initially, it operated as the Tower Clock Museum .
In 2016, due to the expansion of its activities to include modern research projects, it was renamed the Gdańsk Science Museum .
Today it is one of the most fascinating branches of the Gdańsk Museum, combining the history of technology with contemporary physics.
Opening hours and price list – plan your visit
Before you set out to conquer the 285 steps, check the logistics. The museum operates on a seasonal basis, and opening hours vary depending on the season.
Please note: entry to the viewpoint is possible no later than 30-45 minutes before closing time.
When can you visit?
Monday: 10:00 – 13:00 (Free Admission Day)
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 10:00 – 16:00
Thursday: 10:00 – 18:00
Note: During the summer season (May-September), hours are often extended to 6:00 or 7:00 PM. Always check the current schedule on the Gdańsk Museum website before your visit, as unfavorable weather (storms, strong winds) may result in temporary closure of the observation deck.
How much do tickets cost?
Ticket type | Price (PLN) | Who can benefit? |
Normal | 25 PLN | Adults |
Reduced | 18 PLN | Pupils, students, retirees |
Family | 68 PLN | Up to 2 adults and up to 6 children |
Card to Culture | 15/20 PLN | Card holders (reduced/normal) |
Monday | 0 PLN | All visitors (free admission) |
Tip: Holders of the Tourist Card "Sightseeing Package" enter free of charge. Tickets can be purchased at the church box office or online, which I recommend doing during peak season to avoid queues.
Tower clocks and clock mechanisms
Precision is at the heart of this place. The exhibition gathered here is not just about metal gears and pendulums, but above all, a record of humanity's struggle to tame and accurately measure time over the centuries.
What history of watchmaking does the museum tell?
Walking among the display cases, you'll embark on a journey through the evolution of human ingenuity. Visitors can trace the development of timekeeping methods—from simple, hand-forged mechanical mechanisms to advanced electronic-mechanical systems.
Each exhibit represents a different stage in man's pursuit of perfect synchronization with the passage of time.
Tower clocks as the main theme of the exhibition
The Gdańsk collection is unmatched in Poland and one of the few in Europe. It houses mechanisms from church and town hall towers across the country.
Importantly, many of them are rescued "wrecks" that have been restored to their former glory and splendor by the skill of Gdańsk conservators.
Clock mechanisms from the 14th to the 20th century
Two exhibition halls encompass nearly seven hundred years of engineering thought. The oldest exhibits date back to the 14th and 15th centuries , making them among the oldest preserved devices of their kind in our part of the world.
Next to them stand structures representing the technical thought of the post-war period, which allows for a direct comparison of technologies shared over centuries.
The most valuable museum exhibits
Among the hundreds of objects, some deserve special attention. To help you understand the technological differences between key exhibits, I've prepared a brief summary that illustrates the technological gap between eras:
Exhibit Name | Technology / Type | Unique Feature | Accuracy |
Pulsar Clock | Radio pulses from space | The first such structure in the world (2011) | The most stable long-term pattern |
HEVELIUS-2011 | Electro-mechanical shuttle | The most accurate pendulum clock in Poland | Microsecond range (record precision) |
The Pulpit Clock | Mechanical with foil | Original from the 17th century (unique in Europe) | Historic (adjustable with weights) |
Miesowicz's mechanism | Mechanical, factory | It comes from the legendary factory in Krosno | High industrial precision of the 20th century |
How does the world's first pulsar clock work?
This truly unique clock, launched in 2011, is the world's first clock to measure time based on radio pulses received from pulsars – extremely dense neutron stars.
Instead of a classic pendulum, it uses an array of 16 antennas mounted on the church roof. The device tracks signals from six different space objects, making it the most stable time standard over long periods.
HEVELIUS-2011 – the most accurate pendulum clock
Constructed by Gdańsk museum workers to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the birth of Johannes Hevelius , this is the most accurate electro-mechanical pendulum clock in Poland. Its precision is impressive.
While classical clocks of this class exhibit a daily error of the order of milliseconds, HEVELIUS-2011 achieves a result of microseconds .
The quill clock – a unique European monument
One of the museum's most valuable treasures is an original 17th-century quill clock.
Mechanisms of this type, using a so-called foliot instead of a pendulum, are extremely rare today – only a few pieces have survived in the world (including the famous example from Dover).
The Gdańsk clock was found in the monastery in Żukowo and carefully restored.
Żuławy clocks and mechanisms from the British Isles
The exhibition also offers a fascinating regional contrast. On the one hand, we have folk clocks from the Żuławy region (the largest collection in Poland), mainly 18th-century single-handed designs typical of Mennonite culture.
On the other hand, there are precise mechanisms imported from the British Isles, which allow for a comparison of Polish technical thought with Western standards of the time.
Carillons and musical events
St. Catherine's Tower not only measures time but also... plays music. The sound of bells is an integral part of the Gdańsk soundscape, and this instrument is in a class of its own.
Here are some facts that will impress every visitor:
Instrument scale: The carillon consists of as many as 50 bells , making it the largest concert instrument of this type in Central Europe.
Total weight: The total weight of the bells is approximately 17 tons – the weight of three adult African elephants suspended in the tower.
The largest bell: "Katarzyna", added in 2013, weighs 2,875 kg and sounds the lowest (bass).
How to play: This is not an automatic instrument. The carillonneur plays live using his fists and feet on a special keyboard with pins.
A carillon is a powerful musical instrument hidden in a tower, consisting of at least 23 tuned bells . Unlike automatic chimes, it is played by a live musician ( the carillonneur ), who strikes the wooden keyboard pegs with clenched fists and feet, pulling cords connected to the bells' bells—giving them complete control over the dynamics and expression of the piece.
St. Catherine's Carillon – the pride of Gdańsk
A remarkable instrument has been installed in the tower, one that goes beyond the confines of a typical church bell. It is a fully-fledged musical instrument, capable of performing complex pieces, from early music to contemporary compositions.
Carillon "Katarzyna" - a giant weighing 2875 kg
In 2013, the instrument achieved its most powerful voice. Installing the "Katarzyna" bell was a complex logistical operation, requiring the precise lifting of the colossus into the tower's cramped shaft.
The sound of this bell provides a bass foundation for the entire instrument, giving it depth and dignity.
Concerts and festivals – when to hear the carillon?
Music from the tower regularly fills the streets of Gdańsk. Concerts take place every Friday at 11:00 a.m. , and are even more frequent during the summer season.
A special event is the Gdańsk Carillon Festival , during which you can admire virtuosos from all over the world.
Other tourist attractions in the museum tower
After a dose of technical and musical knowledge, it's time for a visual treat. Climbing to the top of the tower is challenging, but the views are worth every drop of sweat.
What can you see from the tower's vantage point?
For those who aren't afraid of a challenge, the museum offers access to the observation deck. It's reached by 285 steps , and the gallery is located approximately 50 meters above the ground.
From this perspective, Gdańsk looks completely different than from street level.
What exactly will you see from St. Catherine's Tower?
The Crown of the Old Town – a unique arrangement of roofs and towers of historic churches.
Shipyard Cranes – industrial symbols of the city, visible at a glance.
The Bay of Gdańsk – on clear days the water shimmers on the horizon.
Hel Peninsula – with good visibility you can see its outline (over 20 km away!).
Żuławy Fields – flat, green agricultural areas stretching beyond the city.
Panorama of the Old and Main Town
The tower offers a captivating view of the "crown of the Old Town" and the characteristic roofs of the Main Town.
This is one of the best observation points allowing one to understand the urban layout of historic Gdańsk.
Education and accessibility of collections
The museum is a living organism that focuses on interaction and accessibility – both for students and for people who, for various reasons, cannot visit the tower in person.
Museum education in the history of science
The facility is actively involved in educational activities, organizing classes on the history of physics and astronomy. These are not boring lectures – some mechanisms can be seen in action, and staff passionately explain their principles. This is an excellent lesson in physics in action.
Virtual Tours and Online Resources
For those unable to climb the 285 steps, an alternative has been prepared. Online virtual tours allow you to see the interiors of the halls, the attic with the pulsar clock antennas, and the carillon mechanism up close, without leaving home.
Additionally, information about the most interesting exhibits is available in the digital archive of the Gdańsk Museum and in Gedanopedia .
Characters and curiosities related to the museum
Behind every mechanism stands a person, a brilliant idea, or an extraordinary story. These are the figures and phenomena that create the spirit of this place.
Jan Heweliusz – patron of the HEVELIUS-2011 clock
The famous Gdańsk astronomer and instrument maker is the spiritual patron of this place. Interestingly, his presence here is almost tangible – Hevelius's grave is located in the chancel of St. Catherine's Church , just a few meters below the working mechanisms of the tower.
Michał Miesowicz and Shortt's Clock
The figure of Michał Mięsowicz from Krosno reminds us of the high technical culture of the Second Polish Republic.
In turn, the history of the Shortt clock – the most accurate mechanical clock in history – was a point of reference for the creators of the Gdańsk pulsar clock.
Engineers were inspired by Shortt's legendary accuracy, aiming to exceed it by several orders of magnitude.
Pulsars – cosmic beacons
A pulsar clock is a bridge between medieval walls and deep space. Pulsars, neutron stars spinning at incredible speeds, are so stable that their signal can improve the accuracy of even the best atomic clocks.
It is fascinating that signals from stars thousands of light-years away control time in the center of Gdańsk.
Night of Museums – the most atmospheric moment for a visit
If you're looking for a moment where raw physics takes on a truly mystical quality, mark mid-May on your calendar. The European Night of Museums is the only opportunity of the year to legally climb the tower after dark and see Gdańsk in a completely different, illuminated light.
A visit at this time is a completely different experience than a standard midday visit.
Why is it worth "hunting" for this one evening of the year?
Night Panorama: The view from 50 meters of the illuminated Crown of Gdańsk and the twinkling lights of the shipyard cranes is incomparable to anything else.
Sci-Fi in Gothic: The darkness in the tower makes the diodes and modern equipment of the pulsar clock look like a set from a science fiction film against the background of medieval brick.
Special Concerts: Often on this night, unique carillon performances are organized – the sound of the bells carries through the sleeping city with redoubled force.
This is one of the most popular attractions of the night in Gdańsk. The line to get in often snakes around the church, so it's worth arriving either at the very beginning of the event or just before closing to avoid the largest crowds.
FAQ – The Gdańsk Science Museum and the tower of St. Catherine's Church in a nutshell
Here is a collection of key information that will help you plan your visit to the tower and understand the phenomenon of the clocks here.
Where exactly is the entrance to the museum? The museum is located in the tower of St. Catherine's Church in Gdańsk's Old Town, and the entrance leads through the church's historic interior.
How many stairs do you have to climb to reach the observation deck? There are exactly 285 steps to the observation deck, which is equivalent to climbing to approximately the 10th floor of a residential building.
Is the facility accessible to people with disabilities or strollers? Due to the tower's historic nature, there is no elevator, but the museum offers virtual tours for those who cannot climb stairs.
What is a pulsar clock? It's the world's most accurate long-period clock, measuring time based on radio pulses received from neutron stars by antennas on the church roof.
When are carillon concerts held? Regular live concerts are played every Friday at 11:00 AM, with additional performances during the summer season and festivals.
How does a carillon differ from regular church bells? A carillon is a musical instrument consisting of at least 23 bells, played by musicians using both hands and feet, with complete control over the dynamics of the piece.
What can you see from the observation deck at the top of the tower? From a height of 50 meters, you'll see a panoramic view of the Old and Main Towns, the shipyard areas, and, weather permitting, the Bay of Gdańsk and the Hel Peninsula.
What is the oldest exhibit in the museum's collection? The collection includes clock mechanisms dating back to the 14th and 15th centuries, making them among the oldest in Europe.
Is it cold inside the tower? Yes, the thick walls of the tower maintain a constant, lower temperature necessary for the mechanisms, so even in summer it's worth bringing a light outerwear.
Who was Jan Hevelius and what is his connection to this place? Jan Hevelius is a famous astronomer and the museum's spiritual patron, whose grave is located in the church's chancel, directly beneath the tower.
Can the museum be visited at night? Night tours are usually only available once a year, during the May Night of Museums, which allows visitors to see the illuminated mechanisms and the city skyline after dark.
How much does the heaviest bell in the tower weigh? The "Katarzyna" bell, the heart of the Gdańsk carillon, weighs 2,875 kg.
What makes the HEVELIUS-2011 clock so special? It is the most accurate pendulum clock in Poland, achieving precision in the microsecond range, far exceeding standard mechanical designs.
Is the Gdańsk Science Museum the same as the Tower Clock Museum? Yes, the name was changed in 2016 to better reflect the institution's new, scientific and research-oriented focus, extending beyond mere collecting.
Is there an admission fee to the tower? Yes, entry to the Gdańsk Science Museum is ticketed according to the Gdańsk Museum's price list.
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