With a choice between visiting Warsaw or Gdańsk, we chose Gdańsk because it had more historical meaning and promised a quainter historic center. Moreover, since we were doing a south to north kind of trip, it was the last stop on our itinerary, so smaller is usually less complicated and less demanding.

Gdańsk

Formerly known as Danzig, Gdańsk is a seaside city on the Baltic coast of Poland. Though the old city lies in the delta of the Motlawa River, it is still some five kilometers from the sea. It has switched back and forth from Polish rules, German, Russian and as a free-state. In the middle ages, it was once part of the Haneastic League and was a major trading partner in that confederation.

Getting There

From Wrocław, Gdańsk is over a four hour train trip using the InterCity train system. Though the InterCity trains do not stop too often, there is still considerable distance between the two cities and even with an automobile it is a long drive. We were fortunate enough to have a very talkative couple that were Canadian-Polish dual citizens and have a very nice chat with them along the way, which thankfully seemed to have made the trip go faster.

Setting up for St. Dominic’s Fair – Gdańsk, Poland

Motlawa River

Along the Motlawa River on both sides are rows of buildings. Many were old warehouses, shops, fish mongers and other establishments, when the city was an active seaport. Today it is mostly restaurants, shops and hotels.

Boardwalk – Motława River – Gdańsk, Poland

Saint Mary’s Gate – Motława River – Gdańsk, Poland

Old Port Crane – Motława River – Gdańsk, Poland

Old Port Crane

One of the major attactions is the Old Port Crane, also known as the Gdańsk Crane, actually has an unknown origin. Though ostensibly built to convey things from ships portside into the city over the surrounding wall its actual purpose remains a mystery. It burnt down once and was restored, only to be partially destroyed during the end of World War II and rebuilt in the 1960s as a historical piece and museum.

Patti on Rotating Bridge – Holy Spirit Gate – Motława River – Gdańsk, Poland

Old Port Crane Bronze Monument – Motława River – Gdańsk, Poland

Large Tread Wheels – Old Port Crane – Motława River – Gdańsk, Poland

Długa Street

Also known as Long Lane, or Langgasse, Długa Street is where you will find many of the notable houses that adorn the old town, as well as the Town Hall and Neptune’s Fountain.

Basement Restaurant – Długa Street – Gdańsk, Poland

Golden House – Długa Street – Gdańsk, Poland

Town Hall – Długa Street – Gdańsk, Poland

Fahrenheit Monument – Długa Street – Gdańsk, Poland

Long Market Place – Długa Street – Gdańsk, Poland

It is bounded by the Green Gate on the end by the river, and the Golden Gate, which is near the former main entrance to the town, including its barbican and Highland Gate.

Golden Gate – Upper Długa Street – Gdańsk, Poland

Mariacka Street

Parallel to Long Lane is Mariacka Street, an unusual sort of street due to its narrowness and odd balustrades on the stoops of each of the houses that line the street.

Ornate Downspouts – Mariacka Street – Gdańsk, Poland

Ornate Balustades – Mariacka Street – Gdańsk, Poland

Each balustrade was made unique so that the owner could identify his building when the river overflowed it’s banks. Most of the houses here are also quaintly decorated, though many have fallen into disrepair over the years.

Raduni Canal

Another interesting place to visit is the area around the Raduni Canal. This is located on the other side of the basilica and Roman Keller.

Jan Heweliusz – Radunia Canal – Gdańsk, Poland

Waterfall by Mill – Radunia Canal – Gdańsk, Poland

Lew Hewelion Businessman Small Bronz – Radunia Canal – Gdańsk, Poland

Gates And More Gates

There are many gates in the old town, however most of the surviving ones still face the river.

Straganiarska Gate – Motława River – Gdańsk, Poland

Chlebnicka Gate – Motława River – Gdańsk, Poland

Green Gate – Motława River – Gdańsk, Poland

Cow’s Gate – Motława River – Gdańsk, Poland

Barbican and Tower of Secrets Gate – Stągwie Mleczne – Motława River – Gdańsk, Poland

The Highland and Golden Gates are on the land side of the city and were connected to a great wall that surrounded it at one time. Here you will find one of the walls two barbicans attached to the Torture Gate or house. This gate doubled as a prison and became known for tortures that were carried out in its cellars.

Highland Gate – Upper Długa Street – Gdańsk, Poland

Old Town Wall and Straw Tower – Gdańsk, Poland

Jamark Building – Targ Węglowy Street – Gdańsk, Poland

More Old Town Wall and Park – Gdańsk, Poland

Churches And Cathedrals

Saint Mary’s Basilica

Situated almost in the center of town and on one end of Mariacka Street is Saint Mary’s Basilica. A brick gothic cathedral from the fourteenth century that has a working clock on its left side above the apse’s rear window which still appeared to maintain good time.

Nave – Saint Mary’s Basilica – Gdańsk, Poland

Aisle – Saint Mary’s Basilica – Gdańsk, Poland

Altar – Saint Mary’s Basilica – Gdańsk, Poland

Art – Saint Mary’s Basilica – Gdańsk, Poland

The church has an amazing organ and stained glass window in its transept. Though it is evident by the used mobile organ, the installed older one may no longer be in working order.

Organ – Saint Mary’s Basilica – Gdańsk, Poland

Temporary Organ – Saint Mary’s Basilica – Gdańsk, Poland

The church has a very interesting working astronomical clock and calendar along the interior left apse. According to records it not only computes most astronomical seasonal events, but also liturgical events and their timing.

Astronomical Clock – Saint Mary’s Basilica – Gdańsk, Poland

Clock’s Calendar – Saint Mary’s Basilica – Gdańsk, Poland

Lastly, this basilica is rather plain and therefore many of the epitaphs and memorials stick out prominently. Most have German inscriptions on them, owing to the city rich heritage, though many are also written in Latin.

Memorial – Saint Mary’s Basilica – Gdańsk, Poland

Memorials – Saint Mary’s Basilica – Gdańsk, Poland

Interesting Grave Inscription – Saint Mary’s Basilica – Gdańsk, Poland

Restaurants

Yang Guang Chinese Restaurant

If you go through the Green Gate and cross the bridge then walk a few steps down Stągiewna Street you will find Yang Guang Chinese Restaurant on your right. If you are tired of all the meat, potatoes and dumplings you have been eating up until now, this is a very good stop for some vegetables. The even have broccoli in garlic sauce, one of our favorites.

Inside – Chińska Yang Guang Restaurant – Gdańsk, Poland

Wonton Soup – Chińska Yang Guang Restaurant – Gdańsk, Poland

Broccoli with Garlic Sauce on White Rice – Chińska Yang Guang Restaurant – Gdańsk, Poland

Sempre Ristorante

The Sempre Ristorante is near the tip of the small island on the other side of the river. It is a modern Italian restaurant that serves good food with an upscale slant on the recipes and the prices. You won’t go wrong eating here, but you will also pay for it, if you know what I mean.

Tygle Restaurant

A highly rated restaurant with excellent Polish food is Tygle. Here you will find some classics as well as some new takes on Polish cuisine. If you are a chocolate lover, the urchin dessert is a must try. But be careful, those spikes are dark chocolate and will cause real damage to your diet.

Gdańsk, Poland – Hanseatic Harbor