Gdansk

Overview

On the Baltic coast, Gdansk was an important Hanseatic port from the Middle Ages. Its core is the Long Lane and Long Market, lined with tall narrow gabled houses of the 16th and 17th centuries in vivid colours; St Mary's Church beside them holds over twenty thousand and is among the largest brick churches in Europe. The medieval crane on the canal and amber workshops survive, and the city is also the birthplace of the Solidarity movement.

History

Settled from the 10th century and a Hanseatic member from the 14th, it saw the opening shots of the Second World War, rebuilt its old town afterwards, and saw Solidarity founded here in 1980.

Highlights

• •The gabled houses of the Long Market
• •St Mary's Church and its astronomical clock
• •The medieval crane and canals
• •Amber workshops and the market

Practical tips

• •The St Dominic's Fair runs for three weeks in summer
• •The old town is walkable; the riverside is best in the evening

Practical information

Best time

May-September

Tickets

The old town is free; St Mary's about PLN 10

Opening hours

Old town open all day

Local food

Pierogi, grilled cod, amber mead

Getting around

About three hours by train from Warsaw.

Visa

A Schengen visa is required; apply about one month in advance.

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