Gdańsk is a port city with an important shipping industry and with over 400 thousand inhabitants. It is situated on the Baltic Sea in the southern Gulf of Gdańsk, and composes, together with Sopot and Gdynia, the metropolitan area known as the Tricity.
Gdańsk is known as the “Amber city” as it was one of the world centers of production of this plant resin.
What to see in Gdańsk?
Gdańsk is the most important of the three cities that make up the metropolitan area of the Tricity and is full of interesting places. The Dluga street is one of them. Coming from the city center to the dock and this path is called Royal Route. During the tour you can see the High Gate, the Golden Gate, the old town hall, and the Green Gate.
- The Royal Route
The Royal Route is one of the city roads that take us to a historic past. The Royal Route runs from the city center to the dock. Walking watching the stately buildings of this route, most Flemish style. The most special monuments of this part of town are the High Gate, the Golden Gate, the Town Hall and the Fountain of Neptune. The street continues a little further to cross the Green Door, and then the river, which also ends the Royal Route.
- The Old City and the Great Mill
Gdańsk Old Town starts over Motlawa River. In this part of the city is the Great Mill which was built in 1350 by the Teutonic Knights. In 1962 it was rebuilt respecting as it was originally and is now a charming shopping center.
- The Dock
In addition to the Royal Route, we can not miss the walk leading to the dock. The Santa Maria’s door marks the beginning of Mariacka Street, known for the large number of amber shops there. Worth cross it and contemplate jewelry made with this plant resin. At the end of the walk is the Basilica of Our Lady, the largest church in Europe built in brick, on he fourteenth century. We ride to the dock where the building of the Old Crane, an impressive medieval crane dating from the fourteenth century is. And just opposite the Maritime Museum is where we will find the boat Soldek, the first ship to be built in the shipyards of Gdańsk in 1948.
- The National Museum of Gdańsk
The National Museum of Gdańsk was born in the late nineteenth century and brings together the collections of the Museum of the City (paintings, prints and drawings by great European artists from the late fifteenth to the early nineteenth century) and the Museum of Arts and Crafts. The National Museum in Gdańsk is located in a former Franciscan monastery in Gothic style. The most important work is the triptych of the Last Judgement by Hans Memling, of the fifteenth century.
Hours: in summer, from May to September, open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 17:00 h. Thursday, June, July and August, is open from 12:00 to 19:00 h. In winter, from October to April, open from Tuesday to Friday from 9:00 to 16:00 h. Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 to 17:00 h. Closed Monday.
Tel .: +48 58 301 70 61
Web: www.muzeum.narodowe.gda.pl
- Gdańsk shipyard
In these shipyards, Lech Walesa who was president of Poland from 1990 to 1995, worked as an electrician. It is worth going to the shipyard there and watch the big three iron crosses remember the workers who died in the shipyard after the union revolts.
- Malbork Castle.
Malbork Castle is undoubtedly the largest medieval castle in Europe. It is located 60 kms. Gdańsk. It is a walled fortress that occupies some 21 hectares of land and includes three castles inside, as well as other buildings and churches armories.
More information www.zamek.malbork.pl
- Vistula Lagoon.
This freshwater lake is on the Baltic Sea and Gulf of Gdańsk separated by a narrow neck of land. A landscape worth seeing, near the town of Sopot, about 107 km. Vistula Lagoon belongs to both Poland and Russia.
- The Tricity Landscape Park
Around Gdańsk we find one of the greatest natural wonders of the province. A protected area of about 20,000 hectares, one of the oldest parks in Poland that includes within about 10 nature reserves.
- Waterway
Fortune wanted to Gdańsk, very close to Gdynia city, the sea also crossed a river. This makes it somewhat similar to Venice but mainly the most interesting advantage is that it offers a tour of the city for a kayak tour. Thanks to a recovery of waterways in the city you can enjoy places and amazing views from the water, passing small islands that are on the road and doing some exercise as a complement. You can choose to take the route by kayak or pedal boat.
You can find more tourist information and a calendar of events and shows scheduled at the official website of the Tri-City (Sopot, Gdańsk and Gdynia): http://www.trojmiasto.pl/