Gdansk Things to Do

1 more image

The area of this street is known from XIII century. At times, when crusaders ruled Gdansk, Long Street has become the most famous in the city. From the year of 1331 it was mentioned, that street links two gates – Golden and Green, like it is at the moment. At 1457-1552 there parades were organised and street was called ‘Royal Street”.

This street, I should say, is the most beautiful street in Gdansk. At this street and at Market Place almost all main activities, entertainments are going on.

Solidarity Tree in Gdansk is a nice example of art, symbolising the Solidarnosc and its events that spread firstly in Gdansk, later in whole Poland and actually, making an influence to Eastern European countries, that are under Soviet power. Solidarity is a Polish trade union federation founded in September 1980 at the Gdańsk Shipyard, originally led by Lech Walesa.

Solidarity can be called the first non-communist trade union in a communist country; it was anti-communist movement, based on Church, principally taking only non-violent actions.

From 1980s Soviet government tried to destroy Solidarity, but later it came to negotiations. Solidarity leader Lech Walesa was elected as president of Poland at 1989.

Mariacka street is known as one of the nicest streets in Gdansk. It starts from St. Mary basilica and runs to Dlugie Pobrzeze through Mariacka gate. In middle ages these houses with rich fascades belonged to goldsmiths and traders. Mariacka street is one of the most interesting tourist attractions in Europe.

Royal chapel is a catholic temple built in Baroque style in initiative of king Jan III Sobieski. It stands side by side with St. Mary basilica.
Royal chapel was built as catholic for that time when St. Mary church were ruled by protestants.

2 more images

St. Mary basilica is largest brick built temple in Europe. Church was built in few etapes during 1343-1502. It is a gothic church with a few towers. The main massive tower is about 78 metres high. Building is 105 m long.
Inside of basilica lots of valuable medieval works of arts are situated. Among them astronomical clock and main altar.
Towers of St. Mary church are a part of excellent Gdansk's old town panorama.

The tower is opened for tourists, from what opens wonderful view on the city.

4 more images

This is one of the ruins at Westerplatte. The area is famous because this is where the German Battleship Schleswig-Holstein fired the first salvo of WW2 and signalled the start of WW2 in Europe. The small garrison of 170 ill equipped Polish Soldiers held out against aircraft, heavy guns and over 3000 German Soldiers for a week.

2 more images

The Millennium Cross stands here from the year of 1997, it commemorates the jubilee of Christianity and also 1000 years for city foundation.

The place, there Millennium Cross stands, offers great views to Gdansk old part and to port's side with crowd of cranes, stand near water.

It is worth to go up to hill, where Millennium Cross stands, as it is not only panoramic place, but also location for Gdansk fort, firstly mentioned in 18th century, later, in 1807, it was used for Napoleon attacks.

1 more image

The medieval lever on Motlava channel is quite characteristic architectural object of Gdansk. First of all, it represents city as a port and, secondly, it is the biggest medieval lever in ports of lever, so it shows how Gdansk was important in medieval times.

Lever has two functions - of course, it was used by purpose to lift goods and it is used like gates to old town, greatly incomporated into defensive part of Gdansk architectural objects. Nowadays here is a part of Sea museum.