"A city dominated by other influences" Gdansk by bscott1

Gdansk Travel Guide: 1,160 reviews and 3,502 photos

Looking out from the tower of the Town Hall

Gdansk is a bit of an enigma--its architecture resembles that of the Low Countries, and it's history was mostly German, as the town is known as Danzig in German. Gdansk's history was shaped mostly by Germans. Most inhabitants of Gdansk today are Poles relocated from other regions around WWII when the borders of Poland were shifted more westward. Though there have always been Poles living in Gdansk, at many points in time they were a minority.

All of this I found truly fascinating. This, in combination with the miraculous effort to rebuild the city more true to its original form than any other destroyed city in WWII, as well as the recent history of Solidarity, adds to the color of this rich Hanseatic place.

A city dominated by other influences - Gdansk

I only spent a day here in my two-week tour of Poland and Lithuania, but felt that one day is probably not enough to appreciate the city. No regrets for me, though--I have some things to look forward to the next time I visit!

However, if you do have time, I suggest you spend two days here, as there really is a lot to see.

As of this writing, I'm only half way done. Please check back later--I plan on posting a travelogue also.

570 km to Århus!

Intro Updated Jan 17, 2004
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Reviews (14)

Gdansk Glówny Things to Do (10)

The main train station in Gdansk, it was nice to be welcomed by such a building. more travel advice

Great Mill Things to Do (10)

Built by the Teutonic Knights, the Great Mill produced over 200 tons of flour per day until World War II. more travel advice

St. Mary's Street Things to Do (10)

This is a street lined with reconstructed Flemish-style houses. Destroyed by the war, it was rebuilt as accurately as... more travel advice

Upland Gate (or Highland Gate) Favorites (4)

This is the traditional point of entry for kings. The photo I shot was actually that of the backside of the gate (oops!)... more travel advice

Travelogues (2)

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Comments (4)

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LouCypher22 Aug 28, 2005 at 9:25 AM

Auctually Gdansk for the most of its history was authonomy,but depended on polish monarchs (see the painting with victory arch in the townhall and get to know some facts about it) just for a record;)
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matcrazy1 Dec 17, 2004 at 8:39 PM

Beautiful architecture, and surely the city deserves 2 days, at least :-)
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edvin_br Jan 14, 2004 at 4:58 AM

Nice page... some special buildings and i would be interesting to visit this place once.
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sihi Dec 27, 2003 at 3:52 AM

We are waiting page of this beautiful city!! And page of top10 world cities-Krakow:))