This oldest, 15th-century building in Hel (Poland) served as an Evangelical church between 1525 and 1945. It is a brick, Gothic structure with a ceramic roof, with a wooden observation tower approximately 21 meters high at the front. After being rebuilt following a fire in 1572, it also served as a lighthouse. From its top, there is a panoramic view of the port, the city, and Gdańsk Bay.
During and after the war, the church was devastated – the destruction and later the lack of a parish meant that the building was threatened with demolition.
In 1959, by decision of the conservator of monuments, the building was saved and adapted for the purposes of a fishing and nature exhibition. Today, it houses the Museum of Fisheries.
The building is a living lesson in the history, architecture, and culture of the region. The transformation from a Gothic church into a modern museum shows how important it is to preserve heritage and adapt it for future generations.
