Gdansk has a fancy historical past, at totally different instances Polish, Prussian and German, and even durations of autonomy as a free city-state. Different rulers imply totally different names and the Germans known as it Danzig till it reverted to Gdansk on the finish of WW2. The first pictures of WW2 had been fired right here and when the Russians arrived on the finish of conflict they knocked it flat.
Extensive reconstruction came about within the years afterwards and the historic Main Town has been fully restored. The tight community of medieval streets on the River Motlawa preserves the environment of the Hanseatic settlement because it was on the finish of the 18th century. Boats nonetheless ply the river, though carrying vacationers quite than merchandise.
People accustomed to latest historical past could keep in mind the struggles towards communist rule beginning with strikes within the shipyards in 1980. TV viewers could do not forget that Gdansk regarded like a bleak industrial metropolis, blighted by Soviet fashion structure, however fortunately that picture was fully fallacious.
Long Market
Long Market from Green Gate
Long Market
Gdansk Riverside
The greatest technique to get to know Gdansk is to wander by way of its brightly colored, full of life streets. The legendary Długi Targ, referred to as the Long Market, is the primary thoroughfare and is full of vibrant pastel buildings, buzzing bars, underground eating places and the enduring Neptune Fountain. At its japanese finish, the medieval Green Gate opens on to the Motlawa River embankment the place a reproduction pirate galleon affords journeys to the encircling space.
St. Mary’s Church
St Mary’s Church
Antique Clock
St Mary’s is among the largest brick church buildings on this planet and its 78m excessive tower dominates the Gdansk skyline. You can climb its 408 steps for wonderful views over town and the Baltic Sea. Inside is an enchanting astronomical clock relationship from 1464 and at 14m excessive it might be the most important clock on this planet. Go in on the hour to listen to strike and watch biblical figures come out to play.
Amber Museum
Amber Museum
Fender Stratocaster
Gdansk is called the capital of Amber and a brand new museum inside The Grand Mill particulars the historical past of Baltic Amber with multimedia installations. Exhibits on two flooring embody “inclusions” (the place bugs or crops are caught contained in the amber) and lots of amber creations, together with a shocking Fender Stratocaster guitar, present the fabric’s range. A big open room on the prime of the constructing homes a powerful array of recent amber jewelry and naturally there’s a store the place you should purchase your individual to take dwelling.
Westerplatte
Westerplatte Monument
10 km downriver on the Baltic is the peninsula of Westerplatte. On September 1, 1939, the German battleship Schleswig-Holstein began WW2 when it opened hearth on the Polish garrison. They managed to carry out for 7 days, hoping for help from France and Great Britain which by no means got here. Heavily outnumbered by 3500 troops on the bottom, they surrendered after a lack of 15 Polish lives. Today an imposing 25m monument commemorates the fallen and the world has been was a historic park, full with burnt out ruins and bunkers.
Polish Post Office
Polish Post Office
At the identical time, within the Old Town, the big brick constructing of the Polish Post Office got here underneath assault. 50 armed postal staff had been trapped inside, however after a 17 hour siege, the 34 who had been nonetheless alive surrendered. They had been subsequently tortured and executed by firing squad. Outside a stainless-steel monument remembers their sacrifice and inside there’s a small museum telling the story.
WW2 Museum
Reflection in WW2 Museum
Suitcase Wall in WW2 Museum
200m away is the massive trendy WW2 museum, opened in 2017, its jagged glass and terracotta construction resembling an enormous bomb hitting the earth. Yet the primary exhibition is housed underground in themed cavernous areas which take you thru the historical past in chronological order. The museum’s 2000 objects embody an American tank, a Soviet tank, and a wood German railway automobile displayed in devoted recreated areas. Particularly transferring is a wall of stacked suitcases subsequent to an enormous blow up of the gates of Auschwitz.
European Solidarity Centre
Lenin Shipyard
Gate#2
European Solidarity Centre
Gdansk additionally had a starring position in within the collapse of communism. In 1980 the Solidarity motion, led by Lech Walesa, closed the shipyard with strikes which unfold everywhere in the nation. The world held its breath because it waited to see if the Russians would intervene. Fortunately all was resolved comparatively peacefully and Walesa obtained the Noble Peace Prize in 1983.
He went on to turn into Polish President and nonetheless works contained in the Lenin Shipyard – not within the docks however within the mammoth European Solidarity Centre which opened in 2014. It tells the story of Solidarity and the opposite opposition actions of Communist Eastern Europe. There are over 2,000 displays, and the library comprises round 100,000 books and paperwork.
On the skin the museum is encased in rusted metallic cladding, echoing the dimensions and dimension of the ships that was constructed right here. The theme is carried on inside with leaning metal plates lining the corridors. Film and images are utilized in a artistic means and there’s a army truck parked in entrance of twisted barricades as a reminder of the struggles.
These days the shipyards are quiet however the well-known Gate #2 nonetheless stands, preserved precisely because it was in 1980, with a listing of staff’ calls for chalked up on a chunk of plywood. Next to it stands the Monument to the fallen Shipyard Workers 1970, a powerful 42 metre, 13 tonne metal sculpture commemorating the 42 staff who died in an earlier protest.
Sopot
Grand Hotel Sopot
Sopot Pier
Starting within the late 19th century Sopot, simply quarter-hour from town, turned a vacation resort for rich aristocrats from throughout Europe. Baths, sanatoria, resorts and eating places had been opened and the wood pier was prolonged to 511mm, making it the longest on this planet. The on line casino within the Grand Hotel attracted excessive rollers and seemingly large losers dedicated suicide within the park subsequent door. From 1961 the Sopot Music Festival was communism’s reply to Eurovision and today the tree-lined seafront, white sandy seashores and the refreshing Baltic sea air are nonetheless attracting vacationers.
Factbox
GO: There are direct flights to Gdansk from London Stansted, London Luton, Birmingham and Newcastle with Wizz Air and Ryanair.
INFO: Poland Travel has details about the nation:
Visit Gdansk has details about town.
STAY: The Radisson Hotel & Suites makes a great base on the riverfront.
EAT: Chmielna Restaurant has good fish.
Restauracja Kubiki is the oldest restaurant in Gdansk
Restaurant Fino serves creative trendy delicacies
Gdanski Bowke is a conventional restaurant.
Restauracja Gvara has good meals and music
Grand Blue Sopot affords refined eating within the Grand Hotel Sopot.
Source: www.thetravelmagazine.internet