From the Long Market to the Amber Street, from the II World War Museum to the Arthur's Court: here are the 10 things to do and see in Gdansk.
Lying on the southern coast of the Baltic Sea, at the junction of the Motlawa and Vistula rivers,Gdansk(Gdansk in Polish) is one of the most loved cities in Poland, especially by young people.Its historic center, lively and colorful, preserves a cultural heritage of great value and contains, within it, beautiful buildings in Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque style.
WHAT TO DO AND SEE IN GDANSK
To visit the city of Gdansk well you need at least two days. Although the main attractions are located in the historical centre, which can only be visited on foot, it could be useful to evaluate the possibility of purchasing theGdansk Tourist Card (24/36/48 ore) che include il trasporto gratuito e l’ingresso libero in diversi musei, oppure quella di fare un tour a piedi guidato attraverso le meraviglie della città.
Let's go now to discover the things you absolutely must do and see in Gdansk, the second largest city in Poland (after Krakow).
THE LONG MARKET (DLUGI TARG)
Located in the heart of the Old Town, the Long Market represents the central square of Gdansk around which stand splendid and colorful buildings typical of the medieval era. With a length of almost 200 meters, it represents the continuation of the Via Lunga, with which it forms the so-called Royal Road, theDrug Królewska.
In the past, the Long Market served as the main trade route. It was here that the sale of meat and pigs took place as well as the executions of nobles and citizens accused of crimes and witchcraft.
FOUNTAIN OF NEPTUNE (FONTANA NEPTUNA)
The Neptune Fountain stands majestically in the center of the Long Market, right in front of the entrance to the Arthur's Court, and is one of the most picturesque things to see in Gdansk. Built in the early 1600s, it depicts the god Neptune standing on a pedestal in the center of a fountain adorned with four lion heads.
ARTHUR COURT
The sumptuous building that stands behind the Fountain of Neptune was once the seat of the brotherhoods of merchants, nobles and artisans. Built in the 14th century, the Arthur's Court is one of the most famous buildings in Gdansk. Its name derives from the fascination that, in those years, the stories of Camelot exercised on the European merchant class. Inside there are majestic rooms and objects of great value, such as the Renaissance-style stove over 10 meters high.
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LONG STREET (ULICA DLUGA)
Going along Ulica Dluga, the main street of the city which was once inhabited by the most noble and wealthy families, is certainly one of the things you absolutely must do and see in Gdansk. The Via Lunga extends fromGolden Gate(Zlota Brama) up to the Long Market, to then finish with theGreen door(Zielona Brama). In its almost 320 meters there are tall and artistic buildings, shops, bars and museums.
BASILICA OF SANTA MARY OF GDANSK
Gdansk Cathedral is one of the largest brick-built churches. With a length of more than 105 meters, it rises majestically between Piwna, Mariacka (Amber Street) and Podkramarska streets.
MARIACKA ULICA (AMBER STREET)
Narrow and shady, Amber Street is a must-see area of Gdansk. This long artery is the "home" of workshops and shops specializing in the creation of amber objects and jewellery. Defined as "the gold of the Baltic”, this particular resin rich in succinic acid has represented for centuries a great source of wealth for exports and trade. Hence the birth of the Amber Road, a route of over 400 km which… also passed through Gdansk!
7. WORLD WAR II MUSEUM
Among the best things to see in Gdansk stands out the Museum of World War II. Located outside the historic center of Gdansk, it is an imposing monument with a particular shape and a recent history. Inaugurated in 2017, the Museum consists of three main areas that symbolically represent the past, the present and the future. With a space of almost 5000 square meters, it collects more than 2500 objects, as well as digitized documents focused onGreat War. Il Museo è aperto dal martedì alla domenica (dalle 10 alle 19) ed il prezzo standard è di 23 zloti (circa 5 euro). È possibile visitare il Museo partecipando ad un interessante tour storico sulla Seconda Guerra Mondiale oppure partecipando ad un’escursione di un giorno al Campo di concentramento di Stutthof.
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EUROPEAN CENTER SOLIDARNOŚĆ
Dedicated to the history of the Polish trade union Solidarność, the European Solidarity Center is located near theStocznia station and can be reached from the centre, with a walk of about 20-25 minutes. Inside there are a museum, a library and a permanent exhibition dedicated to Solidarność, the union that also became a civil resistance movement.
MOTLAWA RIVERWALK WALK
Among the things absolutely to do and see in Gdansk stands out, without a doubt, the walk on the riversideMotlawa. Affacciati su entrambe le sponde si trovano edifici pittoreschi e romantici mentre, tra le acque, fanno la spola particolarissime imbarcazioni che rievocano i galeoni del passato. Consigliatissima la sosta in uno dei ristorantini per gustare i buonissimi i pierogi e la mini crociera a bordo di una tipica barca polacca!
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EXCURSION TO SOPOT
Located about 12 km away from Gdansk, Sopot is a town overlooking the Baltic Sea which annually attracts many tourists and visitors. Together with Gdansk and Gdynia, it forms the so-called Triple City and is absolutely one of the things to see around Gdansk if you have a little more time available. Among the main attractions theKrzywy Domek, the pizza Pier, the Viale degli Eroi and the long marina.
