If you’re pressed for time then do your best to squeeze in Gdańsk’s tourist highlights.
It was in this city that the first fissures in the Iron Curtain appeared, forced open by Poles during the landmark August strikes of 1980. Following this first peaceful victory over the communist rulers, calls for greater freedoms were only nine years away from bringing down the Berlin Wall. The centre of these protests were Gate #2 of the Gdańsk shipyard and this can be found just outside of old town on ul. Doki (B-1). While there do not dare miss the Roads to Freedom exhibition (B-1, ul. Wały Piastowskie 24) close to the shipyards – a moving tribute to the Solidarity movement. And Gdańsk was not only the city where the fall of communism can be traced but is also the first shots of WWII were fired. WWII buffs should not miss the ferry ride (in season) up to the Westerplatte peninsula and to the Nowy Port lighthouse where the scars from the first shots of the war can still be seen.
The old town is where you’ll find a number of photo opportunities and the sensible start point is The Upland Gate (B-4, Brama Wyżynna), which marks the start of what was once known as the Royal Road. Following this route you’ll pass by Amber Museum and the Torture Tower (B-4, Katownia), through the Golden Gate (B-4, Złota Brama) and onto Long Street (ul. Długa). On the left about half way down is the Main Town Hall (C-4 Ratusz) which serves as the home of the Gdańsk History Museum (closed until 2010) and a few metres further on is Neptun's fountain (C-5) and Artus Court (C-5, Dwór Artusa). The Royal Way ends at the impressive Green Gate (C-5, Zielona Brama) now the home of Lech Wałesa's office.
St. Mary's Street (C-4, ulica Mariacka) ranks as the city's most picturesque street and is dominated by the biggest brick church in the world St. Mary’s (C-4, Bazylika Mariacka). Nearby the 15th century Crane (D-4 Żuraw) stands on the river's edge, a hulking reminder of Gdańsk’s merchant past. Across the river the eery remains of Granary Island (D-4/5, Wyspa Spichrzów) serve as a somber reminder of the havoc wreaked here by WWII, while the Maritime Museum (including the ship Sołdek) provides an interesting look at the history of Polish seafaring.
The old town’s compact nature means that it is easy enough to hit major landmarks such as St. John’s Church (C/D-3 Św. Jana), the Great Mill (B-3, Wielki Młyn) and Great Armoury (B-4, Wielka Zbrojownia) within a short walk.
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