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.
On Rajska Street in Gdańsk, there is a fragment of both the Berlin Wall and the wall at the Gdańsk Shipyard, both of which played a huge part in the fall of communism. Aside from the wall remnants, there is a ‘walk of freedom’ path which leads to Gdańsk shipyard.
Monument for the Fallen Shipyard Workers
This huge monument by the shipyard is dedicated to the shipyard workers who died in 1970, long before the Solidarnosc movement. It is one of three architectural landmarks on the tour that are related to the shipyard, which sits in behind the monument.
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.
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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.
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.
Falowiec
Building
Falowi… what? Falowiec! Believe it or not, this is the longest residential building in Europe and it is here in Gdańsk, for this reason it is worth a visit. It is located in the city’s Nowy Port area so will require a tram or bus ride from the Old Town, but it’s a fantastic piece of architecture which houses nearly 6,000 people.
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’.
Daniel Fahrenheit’s House
Daniel Fahrenheit who invented both the mercury-in-glass thermometer and the Fahrenheit scale, was born in this very city back in 1686. Not only can you visit his house, but also an original Fahrenheit thermometer sits in the Długi Targ in Gdańsk.
Gdańsk Town Hall (Ratusz)
Museum
The list features both of Gdańsk’s town halls and this one, known as the Ratusz, is the most photographed and the most famous. There is a museum inside and you can climb to the top for sublime views over the city.
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.
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.
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.
A travel writer, perpetual tourist and long term blogger, Jonny grew up in Northern Ireland but his global adventures have seen him live in Australia, Uruguay, England, Kyrgyzstan, Poland and Hong Kong. With 30 years writing experience, Jonny is a veteran writer with a taste for the unusual and quirky. Jonny's 150 country journey around the world saw him feed hyenas in Ethiopia, play football in Afghanistan, hitch-hike in Iraq and visit disputed regions unrecognised by the UN. Jonny is usually based in Poland but is never far away from another adventure and runs travel blogs in several niches.
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