Opened in 2016, the Museum of the Second World War in Gdańsk, is an impressive example of contemporary architecture located at the northern edge of the city's waterfront. This museum has gained significant recognition for its comprehensive and moving portrayal of Poland's experience during the Second World War, making it a must-visit attraction. It underscores the immense human suffering caused by the conflict, which leaves a lasting impression on those who visit.

Covering an area of 5000 square meters, the museum is divided into 18 carefully curated sections, arranged chronologically to provide an immersive and educational journey through the war's history. Visitors receive complimentary maps with their tickets to help navigate the extensive exhibits. These exhibits commence with the causes of the war, showcasing Nazi propaganda posters, and culminate with the beginning of the Cold War, which is highlighted by Communist propaganda.

Among the captivating displays are notable highlights such as a large-scale reconstruction of a pre-war Warsaw street, a profoundly moving Holocaust section featuring images of Jewish individuals reaching heights of up to 7 meters, a Sherman tank, and a dramatic recreation of a bombed Warsaw courtyard, complete with a Russian tank. The museum also features an insightful section on the crucial wartime meetings between the allies in Tehran, Casablanca, Moscow, and Yalta.

The exhibits are rich in historical artifacts, including uniforms, weapons, maps, documents, and compelling footage, all accompanied by concise explanations in English. Additionally, strategically placed throughout the museum are small yet impactful items, such as Nazi Christmas decorations with swastikas, the Oscar-nominated film "Siege," personal belongings from the Siege of Leningrad, artifacts from the Katyń massacre, and radios from Czechoslovakia warning against listening to the BBC. There is also a dedicated section on the Polish resistance, although it contains comparatively less content about Gdańsk itself.

The building's design, characterized by exposed concrete painted in somber black and grey, complements the museum's emotionally charged atmosphere. The impact of the museum is so profound that many visitors leave visibly moved by the powerful narrative it conveys.

The silhouette of the great waterfront Crane of Gdansk is a well known symbol of the city. The first wooden crane at the foot of Szeroka Street dates from at least 1367. This structure was destroyed by fire in the 15th century. The replacement brick crane of today was erected in 1444. The brick western facade was not completed until 1483.

The Crane was the largest water gate in the city by far and it still is. The huge crane structure is flanked by two fortified rounded towers. The ground floor of the crane had cannon emplacements. Firing embrasures mark the upper floors.

The lifting mechanism of the crane was made of two pairs of treadwheels on one shaft. Four workers powered each treadwheel. The men walked inside the wheel like human hamsters. This system provided enough muscle power to lift two tons of load to a height of almost 120 feet. The crane was in ever dwindling use until 1944.

The crane gate was again damaged by fire in 1945. It was rebuilt by 1965 and it has been donated to the Polish Maritime Museum. Inside the crane building today are permanent collections, especially one of ordinary life in the port from the 16th to the 18th centuries. Another fun attraction is the two monstrous drive wheels.

There is admission charged for the granaries, the Crane and the Cultural Centre. Admission to the granaries is free on Wednesdays.

The Long embankment Street of Gdansk stretches almost 1/3 mile along the Motlawa River. Until the 19th century the piers and quays on the embankment served as the port of Gdansk and the river Motlawa provided easy sheltered access to the sea. Not many of the old port facilities remain. The medieval heavy lift crane is now a museum piece.

The pedestrianized area along the west riverfront originated in the 14th century. A series of mostly wooden goods platforms were replaced in the 17th century with a unified walkway. In the rebuilding of the city after World War II the area was refinished with concrete and marble.

The buildings along the promenade were utterly destroyed in the war. The ancient crane and water gates were rebuilt following medieval styles and plans. New underwater walls were installed. A new lower level quayside extended from the Green Gate to the old Crane Gate to accommodate passenger vessels.

By the 1980s the Hanseatic Mannerist style tenements along the promenade were recreated according to views of 1900. The rebuilt homes house cafes, restaurants and shops. The Crane building is attached to the new Maritime Cultural Center.

Mariacka Street takes its name from Saint Mary's Church. The cobblestoned street is short and narrow, lined with old burgher houses with mini-terraces, gargoyles and fantastic beasts. It lies between the church and Saint Mary's gate by the river Moltawa. The gargoyles guard against evil and spit rainwater away from the walls.

The medieval spirit is alive on Mariacka Street. The original wooden church at the end of the street was founded by Swietopelk II, Duke of Pomerania in the 13th century. The original name of the street says in Latin: "Our Lady's Street."

Saint Mary's Gate, the 15th century water gate, is at the opposite end of the street. The gate bears the coats of arms Gdansk and Prussia and Poland. Mariacka Street was once the home of workshops and stalls. The burgher houses are embellished with scenes from the Bible, e.g., The Dream of Jacob, the Annunciation, and the Good Samaritan.

Gdansk is the home of Baltic amber and Mariacka Street is the go-to street in Gdansk for amber. The most well-known and respected dealers in amber will be found here. Looking for the best coffee? You are in luck. Some of the best coffee shops and cafes are here as well. Let's not overlook Wine Bar Literacka, it has over 100 wines and fine food.

Next to Saint Mary's Gate is the Archeological Museum with its viewing tower. During Saint Dominic's Fair for three weeks in August, the street is crowded with tourists, bands, cartoonists and vendors. Many times however, Mariacka Street appears empty, pensive and serene.

Crossing over the Green bridge in Gdansk, one may pass through the riverside arches of the Green Gate. Emerging from the arches, one finds oneself in the restored medieval Long Market Square.

As early as 1552, Polish monarchs would formally enter the city through the Green Gate. The visiting royalty would be lavishly entertained at the wealthy tenements lining the square. There were feasts and fireworks galore.

The square was often a venue for more than feasting. Executions of witches, heretics and criminals took place here as well. After World War II the street was restored to its former glory. The Dutch and Flemish Mannerist tenements once more line the square.

Hewel House was the 17th century dwelling of shipbuilder Georg Hewel. Author Reinhold Curicke lived at number 9. Johannes Uphagen built his mansion at No. 1776. The 1560 Faber House was built for Mayor Constantin Farber. The Lion Castle houses the Russian Center of Science and Culture.

Other sights are the Schumann House, also known as the King's House. The Town Hall, rebuilt in 1561, has a golden statue of King Sigismund. Neptune's Fountain, created in 1617 by A. van den Blocke and surrounded by Polish eagles, flows again. Artus Court, built in 1350, is a branch of Gdansk History Museum.

The noble tenants are gone, but the historical square lives on replete with shops, restaurants, and cafes. It is a memorable, exciting stroll.

In 1606 Mayor Bartholomaus Schachmann of Gdansk decided the city needed a monumental fountain. The fountain would be near the site of an old well, not far from the river Motlawa and before the facade of Artus Court. The 14th century Town Hall would be seen in the background. The Artus Court is now a branch of the Gdansk History Museum.

Construction began in 1606. The statue of the god faces the royal residences, posed in a deferential bow and wielding his famous trident. The sculpture project was under the direction of Abraham van den Blocke. The statue was made by Flemish sculptor Peter Husen. Neptune is made of bronze, cast in the local guild by Gerdt Benning.

The statue stem is black volcanic tuff. The style is related to Flemish Mannerism. There were delays, such as the Polish-Swedish War, the death of Herr Blocke and the renovation of the Artus Court. The fountain was opened in 1633. In 1634 it was enclosed in a fence with golden Polish eagles. Nazis removed the eagles in World War II.

The fountain was renovated and back in operation with the eagles restored by 1957. In 1988 the god's genitals were covered with a fig leaf. The fountain was fully renovated in 2012.

The Main Town Hall of Gdansk is on the Royal Route, on the corner of Long Street and Kaletnicza Street. It is really a building complex of various additions. It is the second highest building of the Old City after Saint Mary's Church. Long Street is closed to all but pedestrian traffic year-round. The Hall is reached by walking.

In 1346 the city of Gdansk replaced Lubeck law with the so-called Kulm law. This change divided government into two parts, the council and the judiciary. Each division required its own hall. Reconstructions occurred in 1382, 1457, 1488, and 1492. There were fires in 1494 and 1556. After the 1556 fire, the hall was rebuilt and enlarged.

The post 1556 rebuild was done by Dutch architects and master-builders Wilhem van den Meer, Dirk Daniels, and Anthonis van Obberghen. A golden statue of King Sigismund II was mounted on top of the tower and a carillon was placed inside.

At present, the Town Hall is home to the Historical Museum of the City of Gdansk. In the summer season one may visit the observation gallery of the tower. There is an admission charge.

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.

The formal name for Saint Mary's is Basilica of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Between 1536 and 1572 the church had been used jointly by Catholics and Lutherans. From the late 16th century until 1945 it was the second largest Lutheran church in the world. The church has been Catholic since 1945.

The church is an aisled hall church with transept. It is 346 feet long. The nave is 217 feet wide. It can hold up to 25,000 souls at one time. The first stone for the church was laid in 1343. It so happened to be the feast of the Assumption. The original basilica had six bays and a low turret. It was finished in 1360.

The current building was started in 1379 by architect Heinrich Ungeradin. The primary building material was brick. This was common to Gothic style churches of Flanders and the Netherlands. The church was finished and the tower raised by 1466. The nave core and vaulting was done by 1500, just in time for the Protestant Reformation.

No serious structural changes were carried out under Lutheran auspices. There was heavy damage to the church during World War II. Restoration began again in 1946. The church is frequently called the "Crown of Gdansk." It is considered to be the largest brick temple in Europe and the finest among the towns of the old Hanseatic League.

Inside the church is a wealth of medieval artifacts. There is a stone Pieta from 1410, and a copy of The Last Judgement made in 1472 by Hans Memling. An astronomical clock made in 1467 by Hans Duringer is here. The main altar was built in 1510-1517. The church does hold services. It is open to visitors year-round.

Long Street is among the city's oldest avenues. Guarded by the Golden Gate, it extends in a gentle curve into an area of the old burgher houses. The colorful houses are known for their Gothic Rococo styled doorways, terraces and porticos.

Curiously, the house numbers run opposite on each side of the street. This is a system commonly used on the older Gdansk streets. Some of the addresses are especially notable. Number 12 is a Museum of Burgher interiors. Number 71, opposite, is a survivor of Soviet barrages in the war. It still has its 15th century mouldings.

Ferber's House (Dom Ferberow), dates from 1560. It displays fine sculptures and coats of arms. The baroque facade of number 29 is graced with the figures of Roman emperors. King Wladyslaw IV held receptions at the Lion's Castle, number 35. Number 45, the House of the Polish Kings, has niches of Greek gods. The Town Hall is at the east end.

Long Street reaches through most of the "Royal Route." The street is cobbled and pedestrianized. There are several outdoor cafes, shops, restaurants and pubs. Behind the striking Renaissance facade of the Uphagen Mansion one can catch glimpses of the old time opulence of Gdansk.

There was an extensive rebuilding program in Gdansk after the end of the World War II. A limited amount of rebuilding was scheduled for areas around Long Street. Reconstruction was informed by old architectural plans, historical records and photographs. An accurate representation was achieved.

When one thinks about Europe, something like Long Street comes to mind. A vision of perfect, ornately constructed buildings lining ancient streets. Outdoor cafes, medieval gates, fountains, monuments, shopping, tourists; all this is somehow joyful.

The Golden Gate straddles Long Street at the inland entrance to the Royal Route of Gdansk. It was built in 1614 to replace a 13th century Gothic Gate called Long Street Gate. The Golden Gate forms part of the old city fortifications, together with The Highland Gate and the Prison Tower, also located on Long Street.

The Golden gate was designed by architect Abraham van den Blocke of Holland. The style is Dutch Mannerist. Each side of the Gate has attiques with figures representing civic values. The values are: Peace, Freedom, Fortune, Fame, Concord, Justice, Piety and Wisdom.

A Latin inscription declares small republics prosper in concord and fail in discord. Badly damaged in World War II, the Gate was restored completely in 1957. More comprehensive restoration works, including the facade decor of murals and gilding were carried out in 1998.