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Travel Destination Guide - Gdansk
Gdansk (Poland) 
Gdansk Information
Slideshow of Photos
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Like many Polish towns Gdañsk lay in ruins after the war, but it was meticulously rebuilt over a 20-year period, returning it to its former glory, and the interesting architecture and beautiful painted buildings are part of the town's historic charm. Its turbulent history includes the rule of the Teutonic Knights in the 14th century, who then lost it to Prussia, and after the first shots of World War II were fired at the nearby Polish garrison, Westerplatte, it came under occupation of Nazi Germany in 1939.
Gdañsk is an important port, situated at the mouth of the Vistula River on the Baltic Sea, Poland. It has throughout its history been a major trading centre. It is the best known of the Tri-City complex that it forms with the modern seaport of Gdynia and the fashionable beach resort town of Sopot.
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The richest architecture is visible in the historic quarter of the Main Town. Its main thoroughfare, known as the Royal Way, is spectacular. Lined with magnificent buildings featuring beautifully painted facades and entered through grand stone gateways at either end, this was the route along which the Polish Kings paraded during their visits. The most splendid façade in town belongs to the Golden House, one of Gdañsk's most impressive buildings, along with the Town Hall and Artus Court. In front of the Court, the gathering place of the old merchants, stands the Renaissance-style Neptune's Fountain. Along the waterfront with its fashionable restaurants and cafes, the huge Gdañsk Crane dominates the promenade, the largest crane in medieval Europe and today housing the Maritime Museum.
Parallel to the Royal Way is Gdañsk's most picturesque street, Mariacka Lane, lined with quaint 17th century burgher houses with decorative steps and iron railings. The gigantic St Mary's Church towers over the city and offers splendid panoramic views.
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Population: 38.635.100
Languages: Polish 98% (2002)
Currency: zloty
Currency code: PLN
Local Times:
Poland - Warsaw
Country Dialling Code: +48
Voltage: 220V 50Hz
Electrical plugs:
 
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Set in the heart of Europe, Poland is a multifaceted country where the Capital and medieval towns are trawled by contemporary city slickers, and where horse-drawn carts negotiate country lanes in areas where the new millennium appears to have got lost somewhere down the road.
Travellers to Poland will be enchanted by its remarkable history of heroic resilience and tragedy, and delight in the charming character of its cities and in the natural beauty of the countryside. From romantic tales of medieval knights and battles, kings and splendid castles, to the horrors and destruction of World War II; its determined stand against Communism and today's modern outlook and booming economy, the country abounds with the evidence of an historically turbulent past.
It was the country most devastated by World War II in Eastern Europe, losing about a quarter of its population and almost its entire Jewish community. The aftermath of the war greatly influenced the character of the country. Former Jewish centres in the cities and the stark concentration camps where the Nazis carried out their extermination atrocities remain as the most stirring reminders of the nation's tragedies. Cities destroyed by the war had to be rebuilt from scratch and the many meticulously restored buildings and historic old towns are testimony to the pride and determination of a strong and durable nation.
Warsaw, the capital, was almost totally destroyed by the war and now presents an unusual mix of beautifully restored historic buildings, communist-era concrete structures, and modern fashion and consumerism. The maritime city of Gdañsk, home to the historic garrison at Westerplatte and the legendary Lenin shipyards, was the stage for both the beginnings of the Second World War and the disintegration of Eastern European communism. But it is Krakow, the ancient royal capital that draws the crowds, rivalling the elegance of cities like Prague and Vienna. Having largely escaped the destruction of the war it retains its charming medieval character; the Royal Castle, the grand Market Square, the old Jewish quarter and the nearby Nazi death camps of Auschwitz are all steeped in historical importance.
The unspoilt Baltic coastline and the splendour of the rugged mountain ranges of the Tatras will impress outdoor enthusiasts, with a variety of activities and scenery to provide a peaceful and relaxing break from the intensity of the country's history. Along with the legendary hospitality of Polish people, a sense of nationhood to which the Catholic Church is fundamental, and a strong musical and cultural sense of identity, its tourist infrastructure is flourishing and the country is experiencing a remarkable increase in the number of visitors to its shores. |
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Local Area Weather
Danzig, POLAND |
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