Gdańsk is a city full of beautiful monuments, brick buildings, colorful houses or, for a change, green parks. This is by the way one of the most beautiful cities in Poland, where we have been before. It's so nice that together with Daria, we think that we will come back for longer.
5 Gdańsk attractions that are worth seeing
To make it easier for you to read, we have created a list of the most interesting attractions in Gdańsk. We do not advise you to see everything in one day, because it got a bit of it, but two weekend days should be enough.
Długie Pobrzeże along the Motława River
This is one of the most popular places in Gdansk, as evidenced by the eternal crowds. After all, it is worth a walk here - the views compensate for all discomfort. In addition to the views you will pass many monuments, including The crane, to which we dedicate a separate item, a huge ship SS Sołdek or the Green Gate of the Main City, probably the oldest city gate in Gdansk. There is also a unique Mariacka street nearby.
Romantic St. Mary's Street
It is worth taking a stroll along the romantic Mariacka street, where amber workshops are located. It is the only such a unique street in Gdańsk, mainly due to the przedpożes, which are located in front of each tenement house. These stepped entrances with the terrace were built to prevent flooding. Mariacka Street is particularly beautiful at night, when there is no one on it, and the light from the lamps illuminates the fronts with atmospheric tenement houses.
Crane Gate
A popular motif of Gdansk's postcards is also the Crane. You will meet him during a walk along the Long Coast, which is one of the most beautiful places in Gdansk. The boulevard is located on the Motława River, which was once a significant river for water transport. Due to the fact that the risk of approaching from the river was very probable, single-floor bridges or cranes were erected. One of the most interesting such bridges in Gdańsk is the Crane which is part of Brama Szerokiej. The crane was built in the 15th century, which makes it the oldest surviving port crane in Europe. It played not only a reloading role, but also a defensive role, because it was built between two brick towers with which it formed one of the water gates in the Gdańsk fortification system.
An interesting fact is that all of its mechanism was moved by the strength of the muscles of the prisoners employed here.
St. Mary's Basilica in Gdansk
It is the largest brick temple in the world. It is rare that I recommend holy places, but the one in question can impress. First of all, it is one of the largest churches in the world and you can feel its size from the threshold. The length and width of the basilica are respectively 105.5 m and 66 m, cubature - 155 thousand. m3, and the vault reaches a height of 30 m. The temple can hold 25,000. people! The curiosity can be added that the basilica was erected in stages for as many as 159 years, and also that it is illuminated by 37 huge ogival windows, the largest of which, decorated with stained glass, has 127 m2.
What drew my attention the most was the reconstruction of the 13-meter astronomical clock made by Hand Inset in 1464 - 1470. It served for the proper conduct of services. The mechanism of the clock was mysterious and complicated, and therefore aroused considerable admiration. Interestingly, due to jealousy the author of the clock was blinded. And when the clock broke, the master instead of repairing him, hit him with a hammer, and then unhappily ended his life, jumping from the clock to the church floor.
For an additional fee, you can also enter the church tower, which offers a view of the city and the Gulf of Gdansk.
Artus Court
The Artus Court is one of the most interesting buildings of the Royal Treaty of Gdańsk. The first building in this place was erected in the mid-fourteenth century at the request of the Brotherhood of Saint. Jerzy, who wanted to gather in the representative place of the elite of the city. An exclusive house was established, where the richest Gdańsk residents, as well as booksellers and artists met. Today you can see many interesting exhibits, among others collections of the oldest models of sailing ships in Poland and the oldest beer counter from 1592.