Journey to simple joy
Gdansk
Situated in northern poland. On the mouth of the Vistula River. Its a port city dating back to the 10th Century, that was reconstructed after WII. In its early years it was a trade centre. By the 1754 it had the largest population in Eastern Europe. In the 1800s it was controlled by the provience of west prussia. There was a brief time of being a free city governed by Poland (though there was strong german control). But in 1938 Hitler demanded Gdsank be given to Germany. Evdently returned greatly damaaged to Poland in March 1945. Its now fully reconstructed and is now full of art, culture and history
Top places to vist
Dulga Streets
These streets are full of colour and archcticture. Part of the royal route which is basically a long street through the city which was once used for royal possecsions and for parades. The streets once housed the elite, all the buildings dated back till the 1331 and are now museums, shops, cafes and bars. Entry is through the golden gate. Its very busy be sure to get as many photos as possible
Make sure to look on both sides of the golden gates as you walk through it to Dluga street. On both sides it has scultpture figures, on one side they represent peace, freedom and wealth. On the other side they represent concord, justice, piety.
Neptune fountain is one of the most instagrammable places. The statue of Neptune the roman God of the Sea. Was hidden during WII and evidently returned in 1954.
Things I would suggest
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bring water with you
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make sure to keep all your belongings in a secure bag
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be aware of pick pockters in large crowds
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bring cash alot of stalls only except cash
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if you are coeliac or have intolerances or allergies, make sure u have a translator or a piece of paper that states that you cant eat gluten for example
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make sure you dress for the weather
St Marys Church
Built in several stages between the years 1343 and 1502. It was badly damaged during the soviet liberation of Gdsank against Nazi Germany in WII. Today it has been fully restored, and to this date has the capacity to hold 25,000. One of the most famous details is the astronomical clock that was built in 1464-1470. Not only does it tell the time, but also the day, month, as well as the lunar phases, with refernces to astronomy. It contains 70% of the orginal material it was constructed with.
Main Town Hall
Located on the Royal route. The oldest parts of the buildings date back till the 1300s. Its one of the best examples of the gothic-renaissance influence in the city. Its was heavily damaged in WII, reconstructed in 1952.
Westerplatle
This is a memorial for all the polish solider who lost there life. This site is the first battle place of WII. On sepetmber 2nd, 1939 at 4.48am a German battldeship fired on the polish naval depot, Westerplate, which is just oustide gdsank. At the time it was the location of the only miltary prescencsse in the area and Gdsank. Due to the treaty of Versailles they were limited to having only 88 soldiers at the time. So when german forced attacked, polish soliders were vastly out numbered, but they managed to keep german soliders at bay for 7 days. Memorials sit in the area for the fallen soliders. The famous Westerplatle memorial was gift in 1966 by the Soviet government as a monument to the site, called in english "A monument to the defenders of the coast". With a large sign next to it saying "war never again".
