These granaries - no more than a skeletal set of ruined brick walls today - were the most important source of income for Gdańsk in the 16th century, contributing to its status as the largest Baltic harbour and one of Europe's richest cities. In the 14th century over 300 granaries operated on Wyspa Spichrzów; only one survived WWII, following which 20 were rebuilt. A moat was built around the area in case of fires. The granaries had names like Gloria and Bear Dance and serviced over 200 ships a day, supplying 300,000 tonnes of grain a year. Plans to restore the ruined granaries have repeatedly stalled, and they remain a moving reminder of the devastation of WWII and make for a nice walk - providing you don't run into any urinating vagrants.
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Granary Island [Wyspa Spichrzów]
These granaries - no more than a skeletal set of ruined brick walls today - were the most important source of income for Gdańsk in the 16th century, contributing to its status as the largest Baltic harbour and one of Europe's richest cities. In the 14th century over 300 granaries operated on Wyspa Spichrzów; only one survived WWII, following which 20 were rebuilt. A moat was built around the area in case of fires. The granaries had names like Gloria and Bear Dance and serviced over 200 ships a day, supplying 300,000 tonnes of grain a year. Plans to restore the ruined granaries have repeatedly stalled, and they remain a moving reminder of the devastation of WWII and make for a nice walk - providing you don't run into any urinating vagrants.