A Tour Of Gdask's Architectural Landmarks

Gdańsk is a gorgeous Polish city sitting on the Baltic coast – rich in history, culture and tradition, it has an architectural legacy as striking as its past. Want to find out more? Then take a look at our round-up of Gdańsk’s must-visit architectural landmarks.

Gdańsk Głowny Train Station

Begin your tour at Gdańsk Głowny, which is the main train station. Its iconic tower is a prominent building and one that marks many an entrance to the city. This train line has served Poland’s Baltic Coast since 1900 and continues to provide good train routes all over Poland.

Podwale Grodzkie 1, Gdańsk, Poland

1. European Solidarity Centre

Museum

Gdańsk played a huge part in the fall of communism and a lot of the events took place here by the shipyard. Lech Wałęsa led the Solidarność (Solidarity) movement of the 1980s and the area now houses the huge European Solidarity Centre which is a museum and education centre.

2. St. Mary’s Basilica

The huge St. Mary’s Basilica is rumoured to have more red bricks than any other church in the world. It is a splendid building that sits on Gdańsk’s Ulica Piwna. The interior has white walls and holds regular masses while the highlight for many is walking the steps to the top for splendid views over the city.

St. Mary’s Basilica | © Thomas Quine / Flickr

3. Gdańsk Post Office

Building, Post Office, Museum

This post office in Gdańsk also marks a pivotal point in European history, as it was here on the fateful morning of September 1, 1939 that the Germans stormed the building, killing many innocent people in an attack that started World War II. The post office is still in operation but the building now houses a museum and has many memorials and monuments outside as a dedication to those who died.

4. The Great Armoury

Building

This building is not actually open to the public so is best admired from the outside, but is the house where the weapons were stored. The exterior features some fine statues including the intriguing ‘lion with erect penis’.

5. Artus Court

Museum

Artus Court is an instantly recognisable piece of architecture which sits in the famous Długi Targ (Market Square / Long Market) right in front of the Ratusz. It is photographed daily hundreds of times by tourists and inside there is yet another museum.

6. The Crane (Żuraw)

Museum

Unmissable due to the fact that it sticks out and hangs over every other building on the same street, the Crane is a building down by the waterfront in Gdańsk. The Crane (in Polish, Żuraw) is no longer in use but there are information boards detailing its relevance through Gdańsk’s history.

7. The Golden Gate (Złota Brama)

Historical Landmark

Gdańsk’s famous Ulica Długa (Long Street) has a truly memorable and elaborate entrance on both sides with the gates. The Golden Gate was built in 1612-14, but has been reconstructed and repainted many times throughout the years.