Gdańsk (population of just under 500,000) is situated on the Bay of Gdańsk on many houses with interesting façades is the Uphagen House, 12 Długa St., which has been the Baltic Sea and close to the delta of Poland’s longest river, the Vistula. The city a museum since 1910. At the far end of Długa Street stands the Main Town hall with its spire is the main part of the urban development that includes Sopot and Gdynia and is from the turn of the 13th century. The Town Hall interiors in the Dutch Mannerism style are known as the Tricity The earliest records of Gdańsk go back to 10th century. In the considered to be one of Europe’s most sumptuous decorations. The Town Hall opens up mid-14th century it joined the Hanseatic League, the most powerful trading organiza- onto Gdańsk’s most characteristic area – the wide Długi Targ (Long Market) Street with its beautiful, perfectly reconstructed houses, including the famous Golden House. The real gem tion in northern Europe, which ensured the city’s rapid growth and power. Gdańsk’s th th here is Artus Manor from the second half of the 15 century, which housed the assembly greatest period of prosperity lasted until the end of the 16 century. Seventy five of Gdańsk burghers. The magnificent late-Gothic façade conceals spacious interiors, which percent of Polish exports, chiefly grain, were shipped through the port of Gdańsk house a 10-m-tall Renaissance ceramic-tile stove and amongst others ancient ship models. to all parts of Europe. Settlers came to Gdańsk from Germany, the Netherlands, The building’s huge cellars contain a wine bar and restaurant. In front of the Artus Manor is England, Scandinavia, Russia, the Czechia, Hungary, France, Scotland and Italy. the large 17th-century Rococo Neptune fountain, the symbol of the city and a popular meeting The city’s political system was a form of a free mercantile republic. During World place. The wide perspective of Długi Targ Street is closed off by the huge, palace-like Green War II, which actually began in Gdańsk with the Nazi assault on the Westerplatte Gate, dating from the mid-16th century, initially planned to be a royal residence. Behind the peninsula, the city suffered enormous damage. It was also shelled by the Russian Green Gate, on the canal, is the start of the boulevard running to the Old Port. Walking along Red Army in 1945 when many buildings were totally destroyed. The majority of the Długie Pobrzeże, it’s worth turning into the second gate, Mariacka Gate, to enter the fairy-tale historical buildings in Gdańsk were rebuilt after the war. The very recent history of Mariacka Street, the most beautiful corner of Gdańsk’s Old Town. This little street ends at the monumental St. Mary’s Basilica, a huge building that can hold up to 25,000 people. The city’s the Tricity area (Gdańsk, Gdynia & Sopot) is important for all Poles. It was here that th th the strikes of 1970, 1980 and 1988 began, ultimately leading to the demise of com- ample architectural heritage includes the Old Town Hall erected between the 16 -17 centu- ries. Its showpieces are the entrance hall and the mayor’s study. Another very characteristic munism. Lech Wałęsa led the 1980 strike at the shipyard in Gdańsk, which became Gdańsk landmark is the Medieval Dock Crane. shopping area for local residents. These places include the nearby Marine Boulevard, at the the castle was the seat of the Grand Master of the powerful monastic order of Teutonic Knights. the cradle of the Solidarity movement. The trade-union leader went on to become foot of a scenic park in the direction of Sopot. From 1923 Gdynia has been the home of one Today it is an very interesting museum. Son et lumière performances and Medieval jousting tour- a Nobel Peace Prize laureate and Poland’s President. The memory of the past is of the world’s largest shipyards. naments are held here all summer long. Enthusiasts of older `technology` and engineering will still very much alive in the city. Three large crosses stand at the entrance to Gdańsk SOPOT AND OLIWA enjoy travelling along the 19th century Elbląg Canal with its unique lock system requiring ships to Shipyard to commemorate the workers killed in 1970. During a short break in Gdańsk, it’s worth visiting Sopot, located just along the coast. Founded be moved over land between waterways. in the mid-17th century, often called the Monte Carlo of the north, Sopot was from the very LOCAL ATTRACTIONS beginning a seaside resort and a place for holiday makers. The city offers a wide range of The area surrounding the Tricity is one of the best tourist regions in Poland. To the north, GDAŃSK’S GLORIOUS PAST attractions in the summer, which includes numerous restaurants, cafés and night clubs. After on the other side of the Bay of Gdańsk, is the Hel Peninsula. The peninsula features fish- GIFTS AND SOUVENIRS You may want to start with a stroll through historic Gdańsk along the Royal Way, the several- a day at the beach, there’s time for a stroll down the promenade and a concert at the beautiful ing villages and beautiful beaches, including Chałupy, Jastarnia and Jurata. Between the The perfect souvenir from a trip to Gdańsk or a vacation on the Baltic Sea is amber, resin fossilized hundred-meter long main axis of the old city. The Royal Way starts from the Renaissance Leśna (Forest) Opera. The pier is Sopot’s unique feature – the halfkilometre- long wooden Tricity and the Hel Peninsula is the picturesque town and fishing port of Puck. World-class millions of years ago. It can be found along the waterline, washed up by the sea onto the sandy Wyżynna (Upland) Gate (1586-1588), once part of the city’s western fortifications. Right be- promenade is nearly 150 years old. Right next to the beach is the Grand Hotel, Sopot’s larg- sailing and windsurfing events are held here because of the excellent sailing conditions in Polish beaches. On sale in shops you will find necklaces made of this natural raw material, which is hind it is the Torture House and the Prison Tower, built in the 14th century and subsequently est and most elegant hotel, built in the 1920s in the Emperor Wilhelm Baroque style. Halfway the Bay of Puck. In the nearby town of Rzucewo, on the edge of the Bay of Puck, is a hotel also believed to possess therapeutic properties, or silver jewellery decorated with amber – a Polish converted. Nearby, on the left-hand side, is the Great Armoury (1600-1609) – Gdańsk’s former between Gdańsk and Sopot is Oliwa, famous around the world for its priceless organ in Oliwa located in a beautiful neo-Gothic palace, surrounded by a lovely park. The area near Tricity specialty. The country fair in Wdzydze is an excellent place to buy elaborate Kashubian embroidery, arsenal. This building is considered Gdańsk’s best example of Dutch Mannerism. Nearby is Cathedral. A few kilometers west of Sopot is Gdynia. This city was built between 1920 and includes Kashubia and Żuławy. Kashubia, a densely forested region dotted with lakes and hand made by local artisans. the Złota (Golden) Gate (1612-1614), another example of Mannerist architecture. This gate 1930 on the site of an existing village. After the restoration of independence in 1918 Gdynia rivers, with exceptional natural features and folk culture. Bytów, with its Teutonic Knights’ opens onto Długa Street, where the wealthiest Gdańsk residents used to live. Among the was to be Poland’s main port and shipbuilding centre. Gdynia’s modern centre is a favorite castle, and the towns of Kościerzyna and Kartuzy are typical of the Kashubian Lake Dis- trict stretching south-west from CALENDAR OF CULTURAL EVENTS Gdynia. You can stay here at • In mid-July the Gdańsk International Street and Open-Air Theatre Festival “FETA” is held: one of many small hotels and the historic streets become a living stage set for performers from all over the world. www.feta.pl B&B Farms. The open-air mu- • St. Dominic Market – the oldest Gdańsk festival (since 1260). Staged in the Old Town, it lasts for seum near Wdzydze Kiszewskie three weeks, starting on the last Saturday in July. Everything can be bought there, from lollipops presents original rural architec- to antique furniture. The festival presents many cultural side shows, performances, concerts and ture with period fittings. A tradi- presentations. www.mtgsz.pl tional country fair is held here • The International Organ Music Festival in Oliwa is a prestigious cultural event with nearly 50 every year in July. Local cuisine, years of tradition. The beautiful form and excellent sound of the Oliwa Cathedral organ attracts games and music as well as arts the best organists from the whole world to Gdańsk. and crafts attract many visitors. • The Shakespeare Festival is held in Gdańsk each August. It is an international review of the most Żuławy, stretching southeast interesting theatre productions of the plays written by the Bard. www.festiwalszekspirowski.pl from Gdańsk, is a depression in • The Gdańsk Carillon Festival is a unique musical event in Poland. Every year in August various the delta of the Vistula river, and musical compositions, including Baroque pieces by Johann Sebastian Bach, are played by two lies below the level of the sea, sets of bells located in the Main Town Hall tower and the tower of St Catherine’s Church. and was originally developed by • The International Song Festival is held in August at the Leśna Opera in Sopot.