Official Language:
Polish
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Currency:
Polish Zloty
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Population:
Approximately 1.5 million people call Gdansk home.
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Weather:
Climate and current weather information for Gdansk Poland: Summertime is the most pleasant time to vist. Temperatures range from the 70s°F to the low 90s°F (20-30°C). The best time to visit is May-September. Summer days can be hot, but take a sweater for evenings. Winters are wet, cold, dreary and not a great time to visit unless you're interested in skiing (December-April). In May and June, the fields are overrun by wildflowers: poppies, cornflowers and daisies.
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Port of Gdynia originally a tiny fishing village, has grown into one of the largest ports on the Baltic. Gdansk, originally called Danzig has origins that date back to the 10th century, forged by years of Prussian and Hanseatic domination. The battles to liberate this city in 1945 resulted in practically total destruction. This historic part of town was eventually rebuilt and today it represents one of the richest complexes of architectonic relics in Poland. Cruise passengers entering the historic quarters will find large stone gateways that guard both entrances to the main thoroughfare. The tower of the town hall makes a powerful impact as you enter this city. The main square is filled with fine mansions. The Artus Court, was once the residence of Gdansk’s rulers and stands out as does the gigantic St. Mary’s Church. This church is known to be the largest brick church in the world and is able to accommodate up to 25,000 people.
Together with Gdynia and Sopot, Gdansk make up the so-called Tri-City. Known for its shipbuilding industry, it is the seat of the Higher Martime School, Naval Academy, Marine Fishing Institute, and Institute of Marine and Tropical Medicine. Sopot is one of the oldest resorts on the Baltic Sea and rated among the most fashionable seaside resorts in northern Europe during the 19th century. Today it is still the country’s most popular health spa. Sopot is also an important music center that features an annual Opera and International Song Festival.
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Attractions |
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Favorite spots to visit include the Maritime Museum & Neptune's Fountain. Here are some other favorite attractions
Gdynia:
Enter Gdansk from its gateway port of Gdynia and discover one of the oldest, most important, and most beautiful cities in the Baltic. Gdansk was once the nation's chief trading hub as well as its cultural center. 90% of this charming city was destroyed during WWII, but due to the unstoppable spirit of its residents, Gdansk is once again glittering and robust -- its architectural gems restored in great detail and its place in history honored at every turn.
Malbork Castle:
Poland's rich heritage comes to life in its impressive medieval castles, and the well-fortified Gothic complex of Malbork is one of its largest, oldest and most popular. Construction along the Nogat River commenced in 1274, with the Teutonic Knights creating this massive stone fortress that includes formidable defensive walls, towers, a labyrinth of chambers, dungeons and wonderful architectural details. In 1309, the Knight's headquarters moved from Venice to Malbork, inspiring the addition of the Grand Master's Palace to the castle. In 1457, Malbork returned to Polish control and served as the royal residence of Polish kings for the next 300 years. Extensive restoration took place when the castle was acquired by the Polish government in the 1800's and, more recently, after the ravages of World War II destroyed half the structure. Your guided tour will include the castle complex and its grand exhibition halls, which display collections of armory, ceramics, sculptures and spectacular Baltic amber. You'll have a brief amount of time to shop for souvenirs while at Malbork Castle
Please note: This tour involves approximately 1.5 miles walking and includes 120 steps
Clock Tower:
Climb the tower for a view of Gdansk and the surroundings. A popular attraction, it is a medieval astronomical clock. This amazing device tells the time, date, phase of the moon, and thezodiac information for a chosen day. The twelve apostles and Adam and Eve decorate the clock.
St. Mary’s Church;
This huge structure is said to be the largest brick church in the world. TThis building contains 300 tombstones and 31 chapels.
Gdynia Museum of Oceanography:
An amazing look at underwater life. Displays include fish and aqueous plants from around the world.
Town Hall:
A Renaissance structure contains decorated rooms with frescoes, and paintings. Antique furniture adorns the chambers that once hosted the kings. Currently it is home to the Gdansk History Museum. Photographs show the damage Gdansk suffered during WWII. Government meetings are now held in the elaborate Red Room.
The Art Of Old Town's Architecture:
Gdansk is a town with a storyline of greatness. Bombed to ruins during WWII, the old city centre has been carefully restored and presents Hanseatic architecture at it´s finest. The myriad architectural styles that co-exist in the heart of Old Town, including Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque. Standouts are the Golden House, with its gold-plated ornaments on its detailed Renaissance facade, Artus Palace, known for its breathtaking interior, Town Hall, with its slender towers and gilt statues, the Neptune Fountain, which dates to 1633, and the elaborate brick and sandstone Great Arsenal.
Oliwa Cathedral:
Founded in 1178 the towering Oliwa Cathedral showcases an organ with 7 896 pipes, 110 registers and trumpet-playing angels. The city's 1,000 years of history have left a collection of buildings and monuments designed in Gothic, Renaissance and baroque styles. Your guided walk will start near the Golden gate, a grand ornamental arch that once allowed access through the medieval city's defensive walls. Continue along Long street. Lined with marvelous buildings decorated with elaborate facades crowned by myriad ornate gables. Pass the Town Hall, Long Market and the beautiful 15th-century merchants' palace of Artus Court. Pause at Neptune's Fountain to admire this monumental symbol of Gdansk's Hanseatic past and its connection with the sea before walking down to the waterfront canal.Then turn up Mariacka or St. Mary's Street, which delights its visitors with its lively atmosphere, quaint shops and lovely terraced buildings
The pride of Gdansk, Gothic St. Mary's is the world's largest brick church, accommodating some 25,000 worshippers. Situated in the center of Old Town, this medieval church took 159 years to build, and its deceivingly plan exterior belies a bright, spacious interior with large windows and more than 30 beautifully decorated chapels.The high altar displays a lovely polyptych, the floor is covered with ancient tombstones and the northern transept holds an amazing 15th century astronomical clock, complete with the zodiac cycle and a calendar of the saints.
Located on the grounds of an old Cistercian monastery, the Oliwa Cathedral dates back to the 13th century and is a mix of Romanesque, Gothic and rococo styles. The monastery was at its peak during the age of Abbot Jacek Rybinski who commissioned young Jan Wulf to construct the magnificant historical object in the cathedral as well as one of the most popular tourist attractions around Gdansk. The impressive complex of three organs consists of 7,876 tin and wood pipes which can imitate sounds of different musical instruments and natural voices and sounds. You will be treated to a brief musical performance,
Gdansk & Ancient Water Smithy:
The city's 1,000 years of history have left a collection of buildings and monuments designed in Gothic, Renaissance and baroque styles. Your guided walk will start near the Golden gate, a grand ornamental arch that once allowed access through the medieval city's defensive walls. Continue along Long street. Lined with marvelous buildings decorated with elaborate facades crowned by myriad ornate gables. Pass the Town Hall, Long Market and the beautiful 15th-century merchants' palace of Artus Court. Pause at Neptune's Fountain to admire this monumental symbol of Gdansk's Hanseatic past and its connection with the sea before walking down to the waterfront canal.Then turn up Mariacka or St. Mary's Street, which delights its visitors with its lively atmosphere, quaint shops and lovely terraced buildings
The pride of Gdansk, Gothic St. Mary's is the world's largest brick church, accommodating some 25,000 worshippers. Situated in the center of Old Town, this medieval church took 159 years to build, and its deceivingly plan exterior belies a bright, spacious interior with large windows and more than 30 beautifully decorated chapels.The high altar displays a lovely polyptych, the floor is covered with ancient tombstones and the northern transept holds an amazing 15th century astronomical clock, complete with the zodiac cycle and a calendar of the saints.
The ancient Water Smithy, is located on the Oliwski Stream, belonged to the Cistercian Closter in 16th and 17th century. The historical buildings are mostly made of wood and consist of two parts that are divided by the stream. In each part is situated a heating stove and hammer driven by the water wheel, 4m in diameter, fixed on the spindle 8m long. Such construction can lift a hammer that weights approx. 550 pounds, 40 cm high to make it fall afterwards on an anvil. During the demonstration of forge-work you will have the opportunity to admire this ancient construction at work. You can even try to smith your own lucky horseshoe.
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More Information |
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Tourist Information Centre
27 Heweliusza Street
Phone No. 301 43 55
Useful Links About Gdansk:
Gdansk Travel Information
www.gdansk.com
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