Discover the best spots to visit in Gdansk, as well as how to arrive in public transportation from Warsaw to the city centre.
Despite being almost completely destroyed during the World War II, Gdansk managed to rise from its own ashes and it has became one of the prettiest and most visited cities of Poland. Since the 10th century Gdansk has operated as a trading settlement in the Baltic Sea, even after the invasion of the Teutonic Knights in 1308, who ruled the city for 100 years.
During centuries, Gdansk maintained its independence from the Polish state or a huge degree of autonomy once integrated on it, until the end of the First World War, when the allies decided to make the city semi-independent again. Years later, and during the Second World War, the Nazis invaded Poland, including the city of Gdansk.
As a scenery of continuous battles among the Soviet Union and the Third Reich, the city was severely damaged and had to be rebuilt after the defeat of the nazis, as part of the Communist Poland, a new state loyal to the Soviet Union.
The Communist tyranny lasted almost five decades, when a strike lead by the workers of the shipyards of Gdansk ended up in a massive protest, contributing to the collapse of the Eastern Bloc, the fall of the Berlin Wall and the dissolution of the Warsaw Pact.
(all the pictures shown in this post are mine and they are geolocated, so clicking on them will bring you to the exact location where they have been taken)
Places to visit
1. Green Bridge viewpoint
The Green Bridge offers one of the most typical postcards of Gdansk, the waterfront promenade, from where many boats departed and arrived during centuries converting the city in a prosperous trading enclave.
2. St. Catherine's church tower
Is the oldest church in the city, currently being Catholic after centuries being Protestant (from 1545 until the end of World War II in 1945). Even though it suffered a major roof fire in 2006, nowadays it is fully restored and its tower can be visited to obtain a panoramic view of the city.
ST CATHERINE TOWER / Price: 16 PLN (payments with credit cards are accepted) | Opening hours: 12 pm to 6 pm on Mondays, 10 am to 6 pm Tuesday to Sunday | 📌 Location | Online pre-reservation needed / available: No
3. Church of St. John
The tower of the church is currently closed due to the renovation works that are being carried out. However, the church can be visited for free. It was fully restored after World War II, when it was destroyed except for the walls and pillars.
4. Długi Targ
This large square was initially a merchant road leading to the oval market place, but it became the city's largest artery during the Teutonic Knights dominance over the city. In the following centuries it was occasionally referred as the "Royal route" as it served as a road of solemn entrances into the city by Polish monarchs.
But it was not only used for elegant ceremonies, but also for executions of witches, heretics and criminals.
5. Neptune's Fountain
This historic fountain is situated in the centre of the old town and is a mannerist-rococo masterpiece from the 17th century. Partially damaged during the World Ward, it had to overcome significant renovation works.
6. Museum of Gdansk
The tower of the museum of Gdansk has an observation deck on the top that brings the opportunity to visitors to obtain a unique panoramic view of the surroundings and an important part of the old town. It is really worth the effort of climbing it!.
MUSEUM OF GDANSK / Price: 12 PLN (payments with credit cards are accepted, free on Mondays) | Opening hours: 12 pm to 6 pm on Mondays, 10 am to 6 pm Tuesday to Sunday | 📌 Location | Online pre-reservation needed / available: No
7. St. Mary's Basilica
This impressive Brick Gothic Catholic church located in the middle of the city is one of the largest on its style of the world, only behind San Petronio Basilica in Bologna. Visiting the interior is free of charge and is really worth it, the dimensions are huge and the conservation excellent.
🔍 Did you know that the 15th century Gothic altar was stolen by the Nazis and until 2020 was not returned from the cathedral of Berlin?
BASILICA OF ST MARY / Price: Free admission | Opening hours: 8 am to 5.30 pm Weekdays and 11 am to 12 pm, 1 pm to 5.30 pm on Weekends (from July to August the closing time is 6.30 pm instead of 5.30 pm) | 📌 Location | Online pre-reservation needed / available: No
8. Wieza Tower
The Wieza tower belongs to the St. Mary's Basilica and the visit is ticketed, but as almost all observation deck through the city is worth climbing it since the Gdansk's skyline is truly awesome.
🔍 Bear in mind that the ticket cannot be paid with credit card, so you will have to bring enough zlotys with you in cash. See schedules and prices right after the pictures.
WIEZA TOWER / Price: 14 PLN (payments only in cash and PLN) | Opening hours: 10 am to 6 pm all the days | 📌 Location | Online pre-reservation needed / available: No
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