Gate No 2 of the Gdańsk Shipyard, Gdańsk

Gate No 2 of the Gdańsk Shipyard is a historic entrance point to the iconic shipyard in Gdańsk, Poland, known for its pivotal role in the struggle for workers' rights and the birth of the Solidarity movement. This shipyard gate became a symbol of defiance against the communist regime of the People's Republic of Poland in the 1980s.

Located in the heart of Gdańsk, the gate is not just a physical structure but a monument to the shipyard workers' protests that escalated into a nationwide movement for social change and ultimately contributed to the fall of communism in Central and Eastern Europe. It was through this gate that Lech Wałęsa, the leader of Solidarity and later President of Poland, entered the shipyard to lead the strike in August 1980.

The area around Gate No 2 serves as an open-air museum, with various exhibits and monuments commemorating the events that took place here. One of the most notable features is the large steel plates inscribed with the 21 demands of the striking workers, which are mounted on the gate's adjacent walls. These demands became the manifesto of the Solidarity movement and represent the struggle for freedom and workers' rights.

Although the shipyard itself is not in operation as it once was, Gate No 2 remains a powerful symbol of Poland's fight for democracy. It attracts visitors from around the world who come to pay tribute to the courage and determination of the Solidarity activists. The site is also a reminder of the significant role that Gdańsk played in the political and social transformations in Europe during the late 20th century.