Fisherman's House in Władysławowo

The best-known viewpoint in Władysławowo is the tower of a socialist-realist hotel built for fishermen, which now houses the mayor's office. The Fisherman's House (Dom Rybaka) at ul. Hallera 19 has two viewing terraces at 45 and 63 m above sea level, with views over the town, the port, the Baltic, the Bay of Puck and the Hel Peninsula. The building dominates the skyline and is the best landmark in town – you can see the tower from almost every street.

The story of the "Popielówka"

In the 1950s there were plans for a large fishing port and fish-processing centre in Władysławowo. On the initiative of the Minister of Shipping, Mieczysław Popiel, construction began on the coastal escarpment of a hotel for fishermen and sailors. Work started in 1953, and the building opened in June 1957 with 150 beds. After its initiator it was nicknamed the "Popielówka", and the tower – a joke referring to the Mouse Tower in Kruszwica – "Popiel's Tower".

It was actually the town's second fisherman's house. The first, named after General Gustaw Orlicz-Dreszer, opened in 1938 at ul. Niepodległości 16; it later housed the "Albatros" cinema and is now the Titanic hotel. The building on Hallera Street is on the municipal heritage list and now houses the town hall and other institutions.

What to see

• The observation tower – eight storeys, with a lift and two terraces; the panorama takes in the port, the sea, the bay and the base of the Hel Peninsula.
• Socialist-realist architecture – a four-storey main block and the tower, joined by an arcaded link.
• Exhibitions on the first floor – according to the municipality, sculptures by the Kashubian artist Leon Golla and the photo exhibition "Władysławowo – Yesterday and Today".

Did you know?

The nickname "Popiel's Tower" is a double joke: the legendary Prince Popiel is said to have died in a tower in Kruszwica, while this tower was owed to a minister of the same name. The hotel was built when Władysławowo was still growing around its port – the town only received municipal rights in 1963.

Tripto tips

• No official website publishes the tower's opening hours or prices, so call the town hall before visiting (+48 58 674 54 00). Office hours: Mon–Wed 7:30–15:30 (Tuesday is an internal day for some departments), Thu 7:30–17:00, Fri 7:30–14:00.
• 20–30 minutes is enough for the lift ride and a look from both terraces. Choose a clear day – in fog the Hel Peninsula disappears.
• The building stands at the end of ul. Hallera, a few minutes' walk from Władysławowo station on the Gdynia–Hel line.
• Nearby: the fishing port and beach, and a few kilometres west the Rozewie lighthouse.