Gdańsk’ s Old Town
An adventure on the Baltic Sea can start with a visit to one of the beaches in Stogi, Brzeźno or Sopot. Piers are a seaside attraction here. The oldest and longest pier in Sopot offers a walk of 516 meters into the sea. A seaside cruise is available from Długie Pobrzeże in Gdańsk, the pier in Sopot and the port in Gdynia. Most of the ships sail to Hel, pictusque fishing port on the other side of the Bay of Gdańsk.
Meeting with the past
The heritage of material culture in the Tricity, despite wartime destruction, is impressive. The Main Town in Gdańsk is a classic example of a Hanseatic town. The narrow fasade of Mannerist houses line streets that were once lively trading centres, and today attract tourists with their picturesque appearance. The narrow streets are full of life in all seasons.
In August, crowds are attracted to the Dominican Fair. Toreally feel the atmosphere of old Gdańsk, it’s best to walk along Długa and Nowy Targ streets, closed from both ends by spectacular gates: Złota (Golden) and Zielona (Green). On Długi Targ Street is the Neptune Fountain, and behind it is the Artus Court, once the city’s most important building, the centre of political life and merchant societies. Nearby is the beautiful Gothic Main Town Hall. It houses a museum displaying famous Gdańsk carved furniture. The Town Hall tower is a scenic view point. Długi Targ Street, under the arcades of the Green Gate, will take you to Długie Pobrzeże – a fragment of the old Gdańsk port with the characteristic Żuraw (Crane). This tourist attraction was once an important reloading station. It’s located close from here to Mariacka Gate, which leads into the narrow stone-paved Mariacka Street. On its axis is Mariacka (St. Mary’s) Basilica, the largest brick Gothic church in Europe.
As a Memento – an Ambera Necklace
In summer the restaurants and cafés set up tables outside and it’s easy to find a good place to eat and rest. The wide expanse of Długi Targ Street is closed by the huge, palace-like Zielona (Green) Gate, dating from the mid-16 th century, which was initially meant to be a royal residence. Behind Zielona Gate, on the canal, begins the boulevard running to the Old Port. Walking along Długie Pobrzeże, it’s worth turning into the second gate on the way, Mariacka Gate, to enter the fairy-tale scenery of Mariacka Street, in the most beautiful corner of Gdańsk’s Old Town. Beautiful terraces lead into jeweller’s shops, which offer the best amber items, for which Gdańsk has been famous for centuries. Amber is not only decorative, but has therapeutic properties as well. This little street ends at the monumental St. Mary’s Basilica, a huge building that can hold up to 25,000 people. Among the multitude of historic buildings in Gdańsk, the Old Town Hall is worth noting, built in the 16 th -17 th centuries, with beautiful interiors including the entrance hall and the mayor’s office.
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