Since the earliest times, civilizations around the Baltic Sea learned to respect their natural heritage and to build cities that prize their location. Gdansk is one of the greatest cities in the area and, even though it has a tumultuous history, it used to be and still is the most important city on the Baltic Sea shore.

Despite the fact that there are so many ways to refer to this city (Gdansk in Polish or Danzig in German), all the people seem to agree from one point of view: architecturally speaking, Gdansk is certainly the most beautiful Baltic cities. Moreover, Gdansk is one of the strongest symbols of democracy in Europe – is the birthplace of the Solidarity movement, an organization that managed to bring down the Communist dictatorship.

Although World War II destroyed the largest part of the historical center, important spots like the Dulgi Targ (the Long Market) were rebuilt after the conflagration ended. Gdansk has one of the most impressive and best preserved buildings in Central Europe, due to its rich cultural past. German Danzig was the biggest port during the late Middle Ages, a time of great wealth and prosperity. Therefore, don’t miss the walk on ulica Dluga, city’s main street, for majestic examples of houses erected back then. You have to visit the gigantic Gothic St. Mary’s Church, the biggest one in all of Poland.

Once you get to the Main’s Town Golden Gate, you should also visit Amber Museum, Europe’s largest and one of the most impressive museums. And if you really like stone-based architecture, we learned that 75% of world’s amber is mined in Northern Poland and in St. Bridget’s Church you can find an unfinished altar made entirely from amber. Feeling tired after a long walk? Just step into a milk bar, a government funded cafeteria that reminds you of the long gone communist times. People of Gdansk will admit that the most famous one is Bar Mleczny Neptun.

Image credit: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.

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