Things to see and do Gdańsk

In the past, the port of Gdańsk was located along the Motława, at the foot of the town. The perpendicular streets leading to the port opened onto the river through fortified gates in the medieval enclosure. In the ^17th century, as maritime traffic increased, a long wooden quay was built to facilitate the transshipment of goods. By the ^19th century, the port had grown so much that it was permanently relocated to the Vistula River and its lateral canals. Today, this quay is the last vestige of the old port that made the city so rich, and is now a magnificent promenade on fine days, lined with beautiful houses with carved gables and doors that open onto perpendicular streets.

Leaving the Porte Verte, take the Long quai on the left. The first gate you come across is the Bread Gate (Brama Chlebnicka). Built in the ^15th century, it marks the entrance to Chlebnicka Street. Its coat of arms - two crosses without crowns - testifies to the town's attachment to the Teutonic Order at the time.

Turning onto Chlebnicka Street, the Schlieff House (Dom Schlieffów) stands at no. 12. This sublime ^16th-century house was dismantled in 1820 at the request of Prussian Emperor Wilhem III, and taken to Potsdam. It has since been rebuilt exactly as it was, and can still be admired today.

At no. 16, the English House (Dom Angielski) was the largest house on the street when it was built at the end of the ^16th century. It bears witness to the city's close trading links with England at the time. Returning to the quay, a little further on you'll find the Mariacka Gate (Brama Mariacka), which leads to the picturesque Mariacka Street.

Coming out onto the quay again, at no. 26, stands a house with a turret that once served as an observation post for ships and was later converted into an astronomical observatory. In 1845, it became the home of the Society of Naturalists (Dom Towarzystwa Przyrodniczego), frequented by the great scientist Humboldt, and since 1962 has housed the Archaeological Museum.

Next up are the Great Crane Gate (Brama Żuraw), the Holy Spirit Gates(Św. Ducha),Świętojańska(Brama Świętojańska) and Straganiarska(Brama Straganiarska). The latter three, built in the ^15th century, open onto the streets of the same names. Afterwards, we reach the Old Fish Market Square (Targ Rybny) and the Swan Belfry (Baszta Łabędź), a vestige of the vanished medieval wall.

The earliest records of the church date back to the ^14th century. The present building, built in the ^16th century in Gothic architectural style, was a monastery for penitent women. It was completely destroyed during the war and had to wait until 1973 to be rebuilt. In 1980, striking workers took refuge in the church, which was used as a backdrop for demonstrations broadcast by TV stations around the world, and became one of the centers of the Solidarność trade union. It can be visited subject to payment of an entrance fee of 5 zł.

The building was constructed in the ^17th century by Antoni Van Obberghen in pure Flemish style. The facade decorations were designed by Wilhelm Van Der Meer and Abraham Van Der Block. Decorative elements include the Gdańsk coat of arms and a statue of the Roman goddess Minerva.

The large arsenal was used for its intended purpose until the ^19th century. The building was almost destroyed during the bombing of Gdańsk in 1945. Rebuilt in 1965 in supposed ^17th-century forms, it now houses the Academy of Fine Arts.

This beautiful church in the characteristic Gdańsk style was built towards the end of the 17th century over a few years (more precisely from 1678 to 1681) on the initiative of King Jan III Sobieski and Primate Andrzej Olszowski. It was commissioned to provide a new place of worship for Catholics after the loss of Our Lady, granted to the city's Protestants. As a result, it is also the only Baroque church in Gdańsk, but unfortunately it can no longer be visited and can only be seen at the time of masses and other religious episodes.

Lined with some of the town's most beautiful houses, Rue du Long Marché is the very heart of the historic town. Roughly in the middle of the street, in front of the Cour d'Artus, stands the superb Fontanna Neptuna (Neptune Fountain). Created by Flemish artist Abraham Van Den Block in 1633, it symbolizes the close relationship between Gdańsk and the sea. The facades of the buildings that make up the complex are splendid, meticulously painted and colored. Don't hesitate to admire them and look for the little details hidden inside!

In this center, you'll discover an exhibition tracing the history of the Solidarnośc trade union, which triggered the strike of August 14, 1980. The route, starting from Solidarności Square, leads to the building occupied by Lech Wąłęsa. Here you can see the "Occupational Health and Safety" room, where negotiations between strikers and government took place on August 31, 1980. An audiovisual installation traces the chronology of events through slideshows and archive films.

Nicknamed "The Crown of Gdańsk", it is one of Poland's largest churches, measuring 105 m long, 66 m wide (at transept level), 27 m high, and 5,000 m² of floor space. The roof covers an area of one hectare. The church is comparable in size to Notre-Dame de Paris. It can hold up to 20,000 people, as was the case during the period of martial law to support the members of Solidarnośćwho took refuge here. It took 160 years of work, between 1343 and 1502, to complete its construction. Initially Catholic, it became Protestant in 1572, before reverting to Catholicism in 1945. It was damaged during the Second World War, but rebuilt afterwards.

The interior, painted white, is particularly light and bright, reinforcing the impression of gigantism. 80% of its art treasures were saved during the war and stand out against the white walls. You can also climb the 405 steps to the top of the tower, for an exceptional view of the whole city.

Don't miss the astronomical clock, the real jewel of the church, built between 1464 and 1470. At the bottom, the two-screen calendarium shows the date, time and liturgical calendar; in the middle, the planetarium shows the lunar phases, the zodiac signs and the positions of the sun and moon in relation to them; above, at noon, the twelve apostles, the Magi and Death; at the very top, Adam and Eve.

Located at the entrance to the Gdańsk construction sites, in Solidarność Square, three 40-meter-high stainless steel crosses stand in memory of the workers who fell at this location, under militia bullets, during the 1970 riots. For the next 10 years, to secretly pay tribute to their companions, the workers placed stones that the authorities immediately removed. Under pressure from the unions, in 1980, the Communist Party agreed to its construction.

Built in 1612-1614 by architect Jan Strakowski to a design by Abraham Van Den Blocke in Renaissance style, it is surmounted by eight sculptures representing allegories of civic virtues (Prudence, Piety, Liberty, Unity, Peace, Justice, Glory and Concord). A rare feature in a city that has erased its German history, an original inscription on the door was restored in the 1990s. It reads: "Prosper only those who are in love. May peace be within your walls, and prosperity in your palaces

The starting point of the Voie Royale, this powerful fortified gateway was built in the ^16th century and once marked the official entrance to the town. It was an outpost of the medieval fortifications. On the east side, the coat of arms of the Hohenzollern family, added in 1884. On the west side are the coats of arms of Gdańsk (two lions), the Polish aristocracy (the arms of Ciołek) and Prussia. Today, it houses Pomerania's regional tourist information office.

The Golden House or Speymannhaus was built in the early ^17th century by architect Abraham Van Den Blocke for a wealthy Hanse merchant. The façade of this beautiful house attracts attention with its rich ornamentation. It features twelve friezes created between 1609 and 1618, separated at each cornice by four busts, including those of Polish kings Ladislas Jagellon and Sigismund III Vasa. At the top, the balustrade is surmounted by statues of ancient figures: Cleopatra, Oedipus, Achilles and Antigone.

Located in the noblest part of Gdańsk - the Long Market, at the entrance to the Artus courtyard - it was designed by Flemish architect Abraham Van Der Block. Construction began in 1606 on the initiative of Mayor Bartłomiej Schachmann and the local authorities, and was completed twenty-seven years later, in 1633. It represents Neptune, symbolizing Gdańsk's relationship with the sea. Legend has it that it was in this fountain, at the end of Neptune's trident, that Goldwasser vodka with 22-carat gold leaf was born!

This vast building in Flemish Renaissance style is located between Długa and Długi Targ streets. Originally built in the ^14th century in Gothic style, it was gradually transformed, particularly after the fire of October 1556, into a unique construction. Its tower is topped by a long golden spire with a statue of King Sigismund II Augustus. Completely destroyed in 1945, it now houses the main part of the city's Historical Museum. Here, in superb interiors designed by leading Polish and Flemish artists, you'll find an exhibition on the fascinating history of this thousand-year-old city. Its ceremonial halls are especially worth a visit for their frescoes. Notably, in an oval in the center of the ceiling of the great Council Chamber (Wielka Sala Rady), you can admire the superb fresco of Gdańsk's Apotheosis (1608). Hidden during the war, it depicts the city of Gdańsk atop a monumental triumphal arch. The Creator's right hand grasps the spire of the city hall tower, to symbolize the divine presence, embodied on earth by the city council. The headwaters of the Vistula appear alongside the Tatras, Krakow's Wawel Castle and the fortress of Wisłoujście on the Baltic. Below, the river bathes the Long Market street where, in front of the Artus courtyard are gathered members of the various communities that once made up the city. In summer, you can climb to the top of the tower.