The “Molo” neon sign, which many years ago shone above the main entrance to the pier, will return to Sopot. The authors of the reconstructed sign will use a design from the mid-20th century, and its reinstallation will be combined with the renovation of the historic gate. Currently, there is a yellow “MOLO” sign from the 1960s.
The “Molo” neon sign and its history
The sign above the entrance gate to the Sopot pier will be created according to a preserved design from the 1950s and 1960s. Its form was inspired by the rhythm of the sea waves and referred to the aesthetics of an era in which neon served as an important sign of identification of a specific place or object, and not just as advertising. The return to the old design is all the more pleasing as it was illuminated signs and graphics that shaped the landscape of Polish resorts and port cities years ago.
“Renovation of the gate and restoration of the neon sign above the historic entrance”
The investment was selected for implementation as part of Sopot’s participatory budget for 2026 under the name “Renovation of the gate and restoration of the neon sign above the historic entrance”. The scope of the project includes the installation of a new illuminated sign and the renovation of the gate itself, which, after the reconstruction of the entrance to the pier, now serves as a souvenir. It was the voice of the residents that decided that instead of another replacement of the signage, the city would opt for a solution that would restore a piece of Sopot’s beautiful history.
A second life for the contemporary “MOLO” sign
The current yellow “MOLO” sign will be dismantled, but it will not be stored in a warehouse. The Sopot authorities are open to proposals for its reuse in another location. Despite its future removal from the gate, it has also gone down in the history of the resort and deserves a place of honour. Residents and artists who could propose a new context for its display are invited to cooperate.
Renovation of the gate under the supervision of a conservator
Work on the former entrance gate will focus on removing secondary plaster and layers of paint, filling in gaps, cleaning the face of the wall and applying new plaster to the relics of the former casino building. The lighting will also be replaced. The entire project will be carried out under the supervision of the conservator.
An architectural icon of Sopot
For almost 200 years, the Sopot pier has been one of the most famous landmarks on the Baltic Sea. It was built in 1827 as a small wooden pier, and in the following years it was extended and modernised. At the end of the 1920s, it took on the form that made it famous throughout Europe. Over half a kilometre of structure extending into the Bay of Gdańsk earned it the title of the longest wooden pier on the continent.
Source: esopot.pl, Sopot City Hall
See also: Architecture in Poland | Visual identity | Neon signs | whiteMAD on Instagram | Detail | Sopot
