Ulica Długa (Long Street), Gdansk (must see)

Long Street forms one of the city’s oldest and most important thoroughfares. Together with Long Market, it makes up the central section of the Royal Route, the ceremonial path once followed by Polish monarchs entering Gdansk. Stretching from the impressive Golden Gate to the towering Main Town Hall, the street has long served as a center of trade, civic life, and architectural display. The street reveals a continuous line of historic façades that create one of the most recognizable streetscapes in Poland.

Long Street developed during the Middle Ages as a prestigious residential district for wealthy merchants and influential families. The narrow street became lined with richly ornamented burgher houses, many featuring decorative portals, terraces, and carved stone details inspired by Gothic, Renaissance, and later Baroque styles. Though heavily damaged during World War II, much of the street was reconstructed using historic plans, photographs, and archival records.

Walking along the street toward the western side, architectural variety from one building to the next is revealed. House numbering follows an older system, with numbers running in opposite directions on either side of the street. Several notable residences stand out. On the left-hand side, number 35 is known as the Lion Castle, recognizable by its decorative frontage and historical association with royal receptions once held for King Władysław IV.

Farther along, look for Ferber House at number 28, dating from 1560, identified by sculptural decoration and carved coats of arms. Near the western end of the street, the historic Uphagen House at number 12 stands out as a preserved merchant residence, where visitors can step inside to see furnished interiors that recreate upper-class life in the 18th century.

Today, Long Street functions as a pedestrian promenade lined with cafés, amber shops, restaurants, and seasonal market stalls. Street performers and outdoor terraces add movement to the historic setting, while cobbled paving and restored façades reinforce the atmosphere of a traditional European old town.