"Freedom, Solidarity and German heritage" Top 5 Page for this destination Gdansk by matcrazy1

Gdansk Travel Guide: 1,253 reviews and 3,279 photos

Unique and very special city

I visited Gdansk during celebrations of the 25th anniversary of Solidarity Movement in August 2005. The city really impressed me for many reasons.

Except, common in many old European cities, amazing architecture, great food, friendly natives etc., I've found Gdansk unique and very special city for at least two reasons:

1. It is a great place to study and think over both history of 20th century and the future, the place where the World War II broke out in 1939 and where Solidarity Movement was born in 1980, the movement which has begun the long and hard march to freedom for over 1/3 of Europe (until now), from former Eastern Germany to Ukraine and from Estonia to Georgia.

2. Being once German once Polish city in the past it's fascinating place to study German cultural heritage and both hard and easy (since 1990) relationship between the two nations and states.

City of freedom and Solidarity

SOLIDARITY FLAG OVER GDANSK

I personally know people who were sentenced by communist authorities for 5 years in a prison for flying this flag in 1982. They were released from schools and universities and they couldn't get any job (their parents sometimes, too) but, despite many persecutions, they never lost hope for better future that time. So, when I saw hundreds of Solidarity flags all over Gdansk in August 2005 it was for me small but great symbol of victory over totalitarian Soviet communism, victory which had many fathers here and there, many victims as well, but at least not many mortal ones in Poland.

I visited many historical expositions in Gdansk. And despite my false historical education in communist schools (but right at home :-), I realised again, that the World War II which began in Gdansk on 1st September 1939 (in a district called Westerplatte) ended with victory exclusively for the USA and 1/3 of Europe (Western Europe). For Poland and many others countries of Central-Eastern Europe (1/3 of Europe) it ended with total defeat that was Soviet occupation. 1/3 of Europe still waits for its own Solidarity. That's why mamy Poles do not celebrate Victory Day (8 May - end of WWII in Europe in 1945) but 31st August (1980 - signing an agreement between Lech Walesa and communist "Polish" government in Gdansk shipyard which lead to creating Solidarity Movement - International Day of Freedom probably soon).

Gdansk was heavily destroyed at the end of WWII and it was robbed and burnt out by Soviet troops in 1945. Most of the old town, you can amaze now, was pretty rebuilt and reconstructed after WWII.

Fahrenheit, Grass, German heritage

GERMAN ARCHITECTURE IN GDANSK

Gdansk was German city before WWII and Polish one in the old past. I knew that Gunter Grass (German winner of Nobel Prize in literature) was born and lived in Gdansk. But I didn't know that Fahrenheit (German physycist) was born and lived in Gdansk, too. His scale of temperature is used in the USA and... Jamaica now and 0F was the lowest temperature he once measured in Gdansk.

It is fascinating for me to think over various and still often a bit different (less and less though) opinions of Poles and Germans about the city past. Never mind, Gdansk is the city of future especially since 1989 (the end of communism in Poland). Gdansk is fast developing and changing now but it preserved a lot of respect to the past, both Polish and German.

I got to know that Gdansk was the world's richiest city in the old past: the city gave over 5/6 of total income for the most powerful (add here France) country of Europe = world that time: Kingdom of Poland and Lithuania.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Roads to Freedom exposition in Gdansk shipyard, German and Polish heritage, architecture, food
Cons:Crowded old town in summer
In a nutshell:Where freedom for half of Europe was born

Last visit to Gdansk: Aug 2005
Intro Updated Mar 15, 2006
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Reviews (296)

For rich and famous or unfamous Hotels (7)

I would recommend this hotels for folks who: - tend to stay and show off in the most expensive hotels wherever they... more travel advice

The best choice at the best location Hotels (7)

I would strongly recommend this hotel for romantic souls who: - love charming interiors beautifully furnished in old... more travel advice

Great location and hotel but expensive Hotels (7)

I would recommend this hotel for someone who wants to stay in a good 4-star hotel in the heart of the old town,... more travel advice

Not my favourite hotel but... Hotels (7)

I can recommend you to stay in this hotel exclusively in case of no vacancy in Hostel przy Targu Rybnym and Gotyk Hostel... more travel advice

Transportation (15)
See All To Westerplatte by car
Local Customs (33)
See All Where do they live?
Off The Beaten Path (49)
See All Private house of Walesa
Warnings Or Dangers (13)
See All Few and little shells
Sports & Outdoors (5)
See All Bathing in the Baltic Sea
Restaurants (19)
See All Fresh, fried fish :-)

Shopping (36)
See All Tourist info, amber, silver, gifts
Tourist Traps (5)
See All Not prepared for foreign visitors
Things to Do (100)
See All Not seen for years
Nightlife (5)
See All The best concert hall in Europe!
Favorites (7)
See All The Motlawa river at sunset
What to Pack (2)
See All Travel books

Travelogues (5)

1 - 4 of 5

Comments (49)

Roadquill May 6, 2011 at 9:57 PM Report Abuse

You will be the only Pszczynianin I know. I look forward to seeing you and Ursula again. Warmest regards from Malibu, Karl
Mel_H Apr 26, 2010 at 12:07 AM Report Abuse

Love the photo , walked past those two buildings on the opposite side had ice cream at the ouside deck of a cafe, the bridge opposite them to old town ,ships docked right across ,went to see where solidarity , lech and reagan met back in the 80`s.
BruceDunning Jan 26, 2010 at 3:09 PM Report Abuse

The Solidarity movement has so much steep history and brave courageous people to stand up for freedoms. Great explanations and pictures you took.
807Wheaton Jul 18, 2008 at 11:36 AM Report Abuse

We visited Gdansk in September 2007 on our Princess Cruise. I'm still trying to get the cities we visited on VT - WOW! Your Gdansk page is great - and a great help. Thanks. Marcia
flyingscot4 Jun 22, 2007 at 7:23 AM Report Abuse

Wonderful personal history. While the outcome was great, the struggle was brutal. Thank God for John Paul II, whose personal courage gave the people strength; and Ronald Reagan, who outspent the Soviet Union; and the Polish people.
Ekaterinburg Apr 28, 2007 at 2:50 PM Report Abuse

You must have explored every inch of Gdansk and I am enjoying accompanying you through the back streets and unvisited corners. Lech Walesa's house ?? Wow ! :))
isailthe7seas Apr 8, 2007 at 10:43 AM Report Abuse

just wanted to say thanks for the tower listings... We are in Gdansk 1 day as we are on a Princess cruise itinerary (we have every intention of returning by land in the future) We love get a birds eye view... Also, thanks for the tip on Artus Court.
margaretvn Apr 1, 2007 at 3:54 AM Report Abuse

Matt I am back again, this time to read your wonderful and very interesting albums. thank you for taking the time to share the "inside facts " with us
rakmup Mar 5, 2007 at 1:32 PM Report Abuse

Coffee Heaven in Gdansk has the BEST CAPPUCCINO OUTSIDE OF ITALY. Shows the Poles are trying and succeeding. Why can't the French learn to make foam? PEACE LOVE AND COFFEE!!
evaanna Mar 4, 2007 at 4:52 AM Report Abuse

Fantastic page and a great history lesson. Never been inside Artus' Court and it looks superb. I'd rather not see a Polish grocery store or a phonebox of the 1980's again. Will be back to read more and admire your fantastic pictures.