Medieval Gdansk

Gdansk was first mentioned in historical sources in the year 997 and has had a long history of being fought over between Polish and German powers, while at the same time trying to assert its own independence. This port along the Baltic coast was able to grow wealthy as a trading hub and member of the Hanseatic League. The historic city centre is home to a number of beautiful buildings that date not only from the late Middle Ages, but also the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.

Perhaps the city's most tumultuous period was in 1308 when the Teutonic Knights conquered Gdansk -- some medieval chronicles state that as many ten thousand of the city's inhabitants were put to the sword but most historians see that as an exaggeration. The Teutonic Knights remained in control of Gdansk for almost another 150 years, but in 1454 the city was returned to Polish rule. Afterward, the city was able to gain a certain level of self-rule and by the 16th century Gdansk had become the largest city on the Baltic seaboard, owing to its large trade with the Netherlands and its handling of most of Poland's seaborne trade.

Visitors to Gdansk will be impressed just walking around its streets, admiring its buildings and sites. This includes the famous Crane Tower, which dates from the 15th century when it was used to place masts on ships and to load cargo. To this day, ships still sail into Gdansk. The city is also famous in recent times as the home of the Gdansk shipyards where the Solidarity movement was born.

Another landmark of Gdansk is Neptune's Fountain, which can be be found at the Long Market. This sculpture and water fountain was built by a Dutch architect in the early 17th century.

No visit to the city can be complete without visiting St Mary's Church, the main cathedral of Gdansk. Dating back to the 14th century, this huge brick building can accommodate up to 25 000 people. If you have the time and can climb steep stairs well, you can go up to the top of church, passing by its giant bells and be able to get a beautiful view of the city.

Gdansk is a beautiful and historic place. I loved visiting this city, its architecture and history. It was a wonderful end to an exciting trip in Poland.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Gdansk
• Poland
• Churches
• Medieval
• Middle
• Ages
• Historical
• Travel

[sonbuhitsunei]

:o This is where my Grandma's mother was from, before she moved to Estonia when she married great grandpa - interesting to see it, as I can't afford to go there in person.

[JNadobnik]

@realdealforsure Yes, I do. Every Pole does if he knows all facts of History

[realdealforsure]

@JNadobnik chyba w to nie wierzysz...

[TheWieczory]

This comment is some kind of joke... Are you really uneducated or just stupid and ignorant?

Nazi Germany are responsible for 2 wars + complete destruction of beautiful polish capital Warsaw.

Prussia and Silesia was the biggest mistake in Polish history and we would not let that happen again!

[dominykasgustas]

@JNadobnik Hey, sorry, my dear fellow, but the country you are talking about before 1795 is Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, not Poland. And never you forget that! (of course Gdansk is a Polish city...)

[JNadobnik]

When Gdansk was the biggest harbor of Europe, It was Polish. Poland was for 3 centuries the biggest, richest and the most powerful country of Europe. But in 1795 Poland was attacked by the Russians, Germans and Austria-Hungary. Then Poland fought for it's freedom for 1 century. 1800-1900. Then Poland became a powerful country too (1920 Polish-Russian war) they saved Europe because the Russians wanted more area. Then in 1939 Hitler was very afraid for Poland. Poland wasn't weak...

[MrThorn88]

@QuintusSecundus in 45 was german cuz stolen.Its historic facts.For most of its time was Polish.two times more centuries than german.Poles expelled invading nation and regained their land back.I can go to 4th century no problem but what for?Those days there was no germans and no Poles.Only tribes living at random.I use historic fact,u use nazi propaganda of uir father failed painter pathetic Hitler.

[QuintusSecundus]

@MrThorn88

Like I said, the 6th century is just mere three centuries prior to 960, so why stop there? If you go back that far to justify your very recent landgrabs, you should all pack your coffers and head back east where you came from.

I don't even have to reply to all your obvious lies, the facts are quite simple:

Fact: In 1945 Danzig was a german city, and it has been so for many centuries.

Fact: Poles murdered and expelled the native inhabitants and stole their land.

[MrThorn88]

@QuintusSecundus The biggest development of Gdańsk was under Polish crown.It's Polish royal city!!U stole it and this is why u owned this.Now its regeined by its lawful owner Poland.Cant u accept the truth u pathetic nazi?Gdańsk for most of his existing time was Polish-fact.The greatest development under Polish crown -fact.I see I have to speak to u like to retard.Stolen by germs-fact!!Now in London 60 percent of ppls are foreigners,means its not Brittish?so part of germany is turkish.U r moron

[MrThorn88]

@QuintusSecundus few centuries??Slavs are here since 6th century so its 14 centuries.There was also celts in here so they have rights to this lands?It was land of Lechits.There was no countries.The lived at random beside each other.We talk about history from moment when states beacame.half-truths?Yeas u use them by scheeming hitler's propaganda drumed into your head and u r not even aware of that.Expultions?U invaded us!!We kicked u out and took our lands back.Gdańsk was Polish for 750 years!!!