Laznia Center of Contemporary Art, Gdansk

The Łaźnia Centre for Contemporary Art, situated in the Dolne Miasto district of Gdańsk, is a municipal cultural institution and art gallery. This center is uniquely housed in a repurposed municipal bathhouse, a building with historical significance and a name that reflects its origins, as "łaźnia" translates to "bathhouse" in Polish.

This bathhouse, constructed in 1905, originally served as a recreational and sports facility. Its design included shower units, bathrooms, sanitary rooms, and a gymnasium on the second floor. After World War II, it continued to operate until the 1970s. During this later period, it transformed into a 'Location for Sanitary Procedures' used by the Civil Defense.

However, in 1987, the bathhouse was closed due to poor technical condition and was slated for extensive renovation. Unfortunately, the renovation process was halted in 1989 due to financial constraints, leaving the building empty and gradually deteriorating.

The transformation of this abandoned bathhouse into a center for contemporary art began in 1992. This change was initiated by students from the Academy of Fine Arts and artists associated with the Wyspa Gallery, who organized the first exhibitions in the building. These efforts were aimed at establishing a permanent venue for showcasing contemporary art.

After several conceptual changes, the Łaźnia Centre for Contemporary Art was officially founded in 1998. This initiative was led by art critic Aneta Szyłak and Grzegorz Klaman, a professor at the Academy of Fine Arts. The center was established with financial support from the city's budget, marking a new chapter in the life of this historic building and enriching the cultural landscape of Gdańsk.