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THE TRICITY – POLAND'S SEASIDE WINDOW ON THE WORLDGdańsk with a population of just under 500 000 is situated on the Bay of Gdańsk and the Baltic Sea, beside the delta of Poland's longest river, the Vistula. The site has been inhabited since the 10th century. Today it is the main center of an urban complex that also includes Sopot and Gdynia, an urban agglomeration that stretches picturesquely along the coast. Since the very beginning of its history, Gdańsk has been one of the most important commercial and industrial cities on the Baltic Sea. The city became a member of the Hanseatic League, the most powerful trade organization in northern Europe at the time, in the mid-14th century, which ensuring the city prospects for rapid development and power. Gdańsk's greatest period of prosperity lasted until the end of the 16th century. In those days, 75 percent of Polish exports went through the port of Gdańsk, chiefly grain, which went to all the countries of Europe. Nationalities from throughout Europe came to the city, including settlers from areas that are today located in Germany, the Netherlands, England, Scandinavia, Russia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, France and Italy. The city's political system resembled mercantile republic. Beautiful buildings were erected in Gdańsk, designed by the best northern European architects of the time. During World War II, which actually began in Gdańsk with the attack of Nazi forces on the Westerplatte peninsula, the city suffered greatly. It was bombed by the Red Army in 1945 and many buildings were utterly destroyed. Many of Gdańsk's historic buildings were rebuilt after the war. The more recent history of the Tricity area comprises an essential part of the Polish consciousness. It was here that the strikes of 1970, 1980 and 1988 began, ultimately leading to the destruction of the communist system. Lech Wałęsa led the 1980 strike at the former Lenin Shipyard in Gdańsk, which became the cradle of the Solidarity social movement. The trade-union leader went on to become a winner of the Nobel Peace Prize and president of Poland. Memory of the past is very much alive in the city today. Three large crosses stand at the entrance to Gdańsk Shipyard, commemorating the shipyard workers killed there in 1970. 
AS A MEMENTO – AN AMBER NECKLACEIn 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-16th 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 16th-17th centuries, with beautiful interiors including the entrance hall and the mayor's office. GIFTS AND SOUVENIRSA nice memento of a stay in Gdańsk or a vacation on the Baltic Sea is amber, resin fossilized centuries ago, which the sea waves wash up onto sandy Polish beaches. On sale are necklaces made of this natural raw material, which possesses therapeutic properties, or silver jewelry decorated with amber – a Polish specialty. The fair in Wdzydze is an excellent opportunity to buy intricate Kashubian embroidery straight from folk artists. Sightseeing around the Tricity is relatively simple, as the individual cities are located along a transportation corridor linking Gdańsk with Gdynia, including a commuter railway line, the most popular form of transportation. The railway will take you to each of the towns, while the historical districts of each town are best viewed on foot. |
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