CHARMING GDAŃSK
Michaela Suchá
Gdansk is located in northern Poland, and one of my favourite places to be. The city is diverse and dynamic, and I enjoy nothing more than strolling through its historical centre, admiring its old world atmosphere, and passing through galleries and museums. I recommend going to the streets early in the morning to enjoy them in their emptiness, silence and peace. This particularly applies to the side streets rather than the main one. I was amazed by the tall narrow buildings standing side by side, their wonderful doors and windows, cafés, and charming shops on the ground floor.
The city also possesses a fascinating history. For example, within its Museum of the Second World War I learned that World War II started in Gdansk. This history in turn affected the surrounding architecture, with about 90% of Gdansk’s buildings destroyed in World War II, thus the buildings that you walk past will be relatively modern.
Gdansk has always been a very important port; large ship cranes complete its image, alongside the towers of the historic centre. We most enjoyed the visit to 100cznia (stocznia = shipyard). It is a really impressive place to visit, made mostly of old transport containers and recycled steel and wood. You can taste foreign dishes in one of the street stalls, relax on the city beach, enjoy the culture, visit a street art gallery, go to a concert, practice yoga, attend a workshop, and so much more. Moreover, the 100cznia project supports various social and ecological themes.
The city is a magical place to visit, with a lot of activities to do. I am really looking forward to our next visit, and perhaps explore other districts outside the historical centre.
This article first appeared in PRISMA, Issue 8.