Gdansk, one of Poland's large northern cities, has a strong maritime heritage and was the birthplace of a workers' uprising. While Gdansk's history may not be as apparent as Krakow's history, or even Warsaw's history, the streets of Gdansk still whisper of the past.
Birthplace of Solidarity and Home of Gdansk Shipyards
The first workers' trade union in Poland, Solidarity (Solidarnosc in Polish), was born in Gdansk at its Lenin Shipyards. The Solidarity movement strongly influenced politics in the early 1980s, and the struggle of its workers to have the union officially recognized is memorialized in monuments and plaques near the Gdansk Shipyards. Standing eternal watch over the entrance to the shipyards in the Monument to Fallen Shipyard Workers.
Gdansk Maritime History
Gdansk is situated on the Motlawa River and the Baltic Sea. Everywhere you look in Gdansk's Old and Main Towns are references to ships or sailing. The Maritime Museum and the MS Soldek are must-sees for those interested in naval history. Impressive and impossible-to-miss is the medieval (15th century) crane that has stood as a monument to Gdansk's importance as a port city. The Neptune Fountain, found on Long Street, pays tribute to the King of the Sea.
Gates of Gdansk
Gdansk has three gates – the Golden Gate, the Green Gate, and the High Gate. These gates once stood as entrances to medieval Gdansk, and the king would pass through the Golden and High Gates on his way through the city. Each gate has architectural significance and mark former boundaries of Gdansk.
St. Mary's Church
This 14th century church is integral to the history of Gdansk. The largest church in Poland, and reconstructed after bombs damaged it in WWII, it is a major point of interest. Climb the church tower (400-plus steps) to get the best views of historic Gdansk. Easily identifiable are many important landmarks, including the Great Mill. Descend the stairs again to view the church's artifacts, including an astronomical clock over five centuries old.
In Gdansk, you can also purchase pieces of history in the form of amber nuggets, jewelry, or figurines. Baltic amber washes up on the coast and is sold by vendors in Gdansk Old Town; the trade and use of amber is nothing new in this part of the world. Special pieces on display hold insects trapped in time. If the ubiquitous amber souvenirs don't appeal, antique shops will offer man-made relics – some mundane, some luxurious – of Gdansk's past.
