Polish Post Office and Monument

One of Gdansk's most outstanding art pieces is the Defenders of the Polish Post Monument, remembering those who perished in one of the first altercations of WW2. Commissioned in 1979 and unveiled on the 40th anniversary of the historic event, this stainless steel monument designed by Krakow sculptor Wincenty Kuzma is one of the most aesthetically pleasing examples of communist-era public art we've seen (communism was only ever beautiful when it was at the expense of the Germans). Across the street is the Polish Post Office building which was destroyed during WW2 and rebuilt between 1949 and 1951. Today it houses a small museum detailing the events which took place there on September 1, 1939, in addition to its continued function as a working post office. The story of the building's brave defense and tragic end is a fascinating one. German photographers actually recorded the events as they unfolded and the copies of these films are on display here. Open Wed to Fri 10-16, 3/2zl; Tues 10-15, free.

The Polish Post Office building and museum is closed for remodelling until August 31, 2007. Now you know.