Stare Miasto (Old Town), Gdansk

Stare Miasto (Old Town), Gdansk

The Old Town (Stare Miasto) of Gdansk stands as a monumental testament to Europe's rich history. Renowned as one of the continent's largest historical centers, this medieval heart of Gdansk is notably twice the size of its counterpart in Krakow. The Old Town has a unique ability to transport visitors back to the Middle Ages, thanks to its remarkable layout and architecture. Despite the significant reconstructions undertaken after World War II, the area retains a substantial number of authentic, centuries-old buildings.

The layout of the streets in the Old Town has remained largely unchanged since medieval times, adding to the area's historical authenticity. Impressively, more than 30% of these streets have retained their original names for over half a millennium, reinforcing the sense of timelessness and historical continuity.

Gdansk’s legacy as a prominent Hanseatic town is palpable throughout the Old Town. This rich mercantile past is reflected in the numerous handicraft shops scattered across the area, where visitors can purchase locally made crafts. A particularly noteworthy aspect of Gdansk's local craftsmanship is its exquisite amber jewelry. Known as the "gold of the Baltic," this golden-hued gem is a significant part of the region's cultural heritage. Artisans skillfully incorporate amber into various forms of jewelry and artwork, including necklaces, rings, bracelets, and other decorative items, making them unique souvenirs or gifts that capture the essence of Gdansk's Old Town.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Gdansk. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Stare Miasto (Old Town) on Map

Sight Name: Stare Miasto (Old Town)
Sight Location: Gdansk, Poland (See walking tours in Gdansk)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark

Walking Tours in Gdansk, Poland

Create Your Own Walk in Gdansk

Create Your Own Walk in Gdansk

Creating your own self-guided walk in Gdansk is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Gdansk's Historical Churches Tour

Gdansk's Historical Churches Tour

Gdansk has a long history of Catholicism, hence the abundance of spectacular churches here. Let's delve into some of the most impressive temples that grace the cityscape and see what they are.

Saint John's Church, a Gothic masterpiece, stands tall in the heart of Gdansk. It dates back to the 14th century and features impressive brickwork and intricate details. Its towering spire is a...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles
Solidarity Union Walking Tour

Solidarity Union Walking Tour

For decades, the word 'Solidarity' (Polish: Solidarność) has been synonymous with the city of Gdansk. The peaceful Solidarity revolution, started here in the August of 1980, marked the outset of the fall of communism not only in Poland but also throughout Eastern Europe.

Stemmed from the country's first free labor union born out of strikes at the Lenin Shipyard (now the Gdansk...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.8 Km or 0.5 Miles
Gdansk Introduction Walking Tour

Gdansk Introduction Walking Tour

The most probable source for the name, "Gdansk" seems to be "Gdania", the ancient name of the river Motlawa. Gdansk began with agriculture and fishing and trade with Pomerania in the 9th century. It was annexed by Mieszko, Duke of Poland, in 975.

The center of town was the Long Market, with its craftsmen. German merchant settlements grew by St Nicholas Church. Gdansk joined...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.2 Km or 1.4 Miles