Gdansk - 1000 years of history... |
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In the year 1997 Gdansk celebrated his thousand anniversary. Gdansk is a beautiful town, full of monuments and historical places. Gdansk has almost half a million inhabitants and is dynamically growing. I still remember Gdansk from the fifties, full of post-war ruins. During the next decades it war rebuilt and restored with great reverence - on my eyes.
Gdansk was also the cradle of "Solidarity" movement - it is only 10 min. walk from the old town to the Solidarity monument at the gate of former Lenin Shipyard.
For the tourist coming to Poland from abroad Gdansk is one of the most interesting places - definitely worth a visit. It is only 4 hours by express train from Warsaw to Gdansk. In the daytime trains leave every 1 or 2 hours.
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| Favourite spots: |
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The Old Town. In the old part of the town there are numerous old churches: the largest Gothic church in Poland of the Holy Virgin Mary (15th century), Church of St. Nicholas with ornate interior, baroque royal chapel, Church of St. Catherine with famous carillon and the others... In Dluga Street Town Hall of the main town (rebuilt 15th century late Gothic) is located, not far from Artus' Court and Old Armoury. There is also Old Town Hall and Great Water-Mill. Outside of the centre there is gothic cathedral in Oliwa quarter with famous old organ.
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| What's really great: |
To stroll the narrow streets of the Old Town full of cafes, pubs and restaurants. In the quarter Oliwa you will find 12-th centyry cathedral with famous organ (recitals in the summer). Adjoining is nice ex-monastery garden. There is also beautifuly located ZOO in Oliwa worth to visit (it is walking distance from Oliwa cathedral)
By local train on a half day tour from Gdansk you can visit Malbork castle - imposing water's-edge stronghold built by the Teutonic Knights in 1309.
West of Gdansk lies lakes & forest region of Kashubia - paradise for nature-lovers, rich in folklore. Kashubian Lakes are suitable for all water sports...
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| Accommodations: |
There is cheap backpackers accommodation in the the heart of the Gdansk's Old Town. No luxury, share baths but inexpensive and open all day.
Single: 50 PLN, double: 70 PLN, triple 90 PLN. 1 USD=approx. 4 PLN
It is off the street noise, close to grocery, Pizza Hut/KFC, pubs. Only 15 minutes walk from main railway station, 5 minutes from bus/tram stops.
Directions: Hotel Zaulek. 107/108 Ogarna Str, Gdansk (entry through the gate to the courtyard) ph. 301 41 69
There is also a choice of 3 youth hostels (Walowa St hostel is closest to the old town) and 3 campsites (huts 25 PLN per person, 8 PLN for your tent and 10 PLN per person if you sleep in it)
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| Other recommendations: |
Local trains & buses will take you to neighbour towns: Sopot - famous sea resort and port of Gdynia. City tram & bus company offers real bargain: day ticket with unlimited usage of trams & buses in Gdansk (some lines go as far as Sopot) for 7,20 PLN =approx. 1,70 USD (2003).
There is ferry route from Gdansk to Copenhagen and Sweden as well as air connections to Frankfurt, Hamburg and Copenhagen.
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Published on Sunday October 6th, 2002 by wojtekd
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