Gdansk, being an independent and economically powerful city, was often a target of invading armies. Any visit to this city cannot avoid the area’s tumultuous past, while at the same time, revealing to you its current beauty.
At some stage on your journey through Gdansk’s past and present, you will take in the Westerplatte peninsula, where shells from a Nazi battleship fell upon a Polish Garrison, marking the start of the Second World War. A large monument pays tribute to those Polish defenders and marks the spot where the entire world was plunged into war just 80 years ago.
From the Westerplatte park, you can cross the Vistula river by ferry and make your way towards Oliwa, where Gdansk’s valiant soldiers stood against Swedish invaders hundreds of years earlier. While the rest of Poland was overrun, Gdansk withstood the bloody tide. While in Oliwa, you’ll see the famous Oliwa Cathedral, a beautiful building which is also the home of one of the world’s largest Organs. Its 7,876 pipes are adorned with magnificently carved wooden angels, whose trumpets rise and fall with the sound of the music.
Surrounding the Cathedral is a lovely park, which looks as though it was born to be the setting for a romantic movie. Duck ponds, a princely estate, and a network of walking paths are all shaded by the branches of charming trees, providing a natural canopy for visitors. You can either enjoy a stroll through this magical place, or, if you need a rest, simply relax on one of the many benches.
From here, you can make your way into Sopot, to take a look at the Tri-city’s artistic haven. The always exciting Monte Cassino Street provides the perfect pathway for a walk down to the beach and a look at Sopot’s incredible wooden pier. The longest of its kind on the Baltic Sea, this pier features in just about every postcard found in Sopot!
