Gdańsk, Sopot, Gdynia – The Tricity - Poland's Official Travel Website

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The Tri-City is an urban complex extending along the Bay of Gdansk and is one of Poland's largest tourist attractions. Each of the cities making up the Tri-city offers a very different atmosphere. Gdansk is a Hanseatic city with more than 1000 years of history, while the lively Sopot and Gdynia are proof of the economic spirit of the Poles who, having regained their independence in 1918 after a century and a half of occupation, took less than 10 years to build one of the greatest ports on the Baltic. The history of the Tri-city is an important element of the contemporary consciousness of every Pole. It was here that the strikes of 1970, 1980 and 1988 set in motion the destruction of Poland's communist system. In 1980, Lech Walesa led the strike at the Lenin Shipyard in Gdansk which became the cradle of the Solidarity social movement. The trade union leader went on to become the president of Poland and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize. Swimming, strolling, or maybe take a cruise. Sightseeing around the Tri-city is relatively simple because the cities are like beads on a string which is the transport corridor linking Gdansk with Gdynia. The charms of living in the Tri-city combine harmoniously with its natural attractions. The coastline offers a variety of different environments, from the sandy beaches in Sopot and Gdansk and the lowland coast of the Bay of Puck to the coastline cliffs of Redlowo and Oksywie. The vitality of the flora and the fauna on Sobieszewska Island, at the mouth of the River Vistula, is truly amazing. An adventure on the Baltic Sea can start with a visit to one of the beaches in Stogi, Brzezno or Sopot. Piers are one of the seaside attractions here. The oldest and longest pier in Sopot is a walk of 516 meters straight out to sea. A seaside cruise can be taken from Dlugie Pobrzeze in Gdansk, the pier in Sopot and also from the port in Gdynia. Most of the ships sail to Hel, a picturesque fishing port on the other side of the Bay of Gdansk.

Meetings with the Past

The heritage of material culture in the Tri-city, despite its wartime destruction, is impressive. The Main Town of Gdansk is a classic example of a Hanseatic city. The narrow facade of the Mannerist houses that line the streets and were once the lively trading centres today attract tourists with their picturesque appearance. The narrow streets are full of life in every season. In August, the largest crowds are attracted to the Dominican Fair. To really feel the atmosphere of old Gdansk it is best to walk along Dluga and Nowy Targ streets which are enclosed with the spectacular Zlota (Golden) and Zielona (Green) gates at each of their ends.

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The Neptune Fountain can be found on Dlugi Targ Street with Artus Court just behind it. This was once the city's most important building, the centre of political life and merchant societies. Nearby is the beautiful Main Gothic Town Hall, which houses a museum displaying the famous carved furniture from Gdansk. The Town Hall's tower is a popular panoramic view point. Walking along Dlugi Targ Street, through the arcades of the Green Gate, will take you to Dlugie Pobrzeze, where a fragment of the old Gdansk port can be found with the characteristic Zuraw (Crane). This tourist attraction was once an important loading station. It stands close to the Mariacka Gate which leads to the narrow stone-paved Mariacka Street where the Mariacka (St. Mary's) Basilica, the largest brick Gothic church in Europe, can be found.
The National Museum houses a collection of old paintings and other local handicrafts. The most famous work here is The Last Judgment, a painting by Hans Memling. The life of the Gdansk and its inhabitants is portrayed at exhibitions in the Gdansk History Museum, Artus Court and Uphagen's House, where visitors can admire the wealth and splendour of the apartments of Gdansk's leading citizens. The history of maritime culture can be seen at the Central Maritime Museum. The Maritime Aquarium in Gdynia is a delight for lovers of exotic aquatic life. The smaller "beads" of the Tri-city necklace on the Gdansk-Gdynia route are also very intriguing. Wrzeszcz is a town that has an atmosphere from the late 19th and early 20th century because of its eclectic-style houses and Vienna Secession-style villas. Sights worth seeing include a 19th century brewery and a settlement of workers' cottages. This is the hometown of Günter Grass, the winner of the Nobel Prize for literature. Oliwa, the site of the International Organ Festival, is famous for its cathedral which contains an original Rococo organ.

Unusual Spectacles and Concerts

The Tri-city is well known for its unique theatrical performances. In the summer the stage of the Municipal Theatre in Gdynia, next to the pier in Orlowo, is used regularly. Its foundations were sunk into the Bay of Gdansk and viewers can watch performances whilst sitting on the beach. The Atelier Theatre is located on the beach next to the historic Grand Hotel in Sopot. During the summer, André Hubner-Ochodlo, a German artist with Ukrainian roots, comes here to present his Polish-German-Jewish repertoire. The Theatrum Gedanense Foundation, under the patronage of the Prince of Wales, organises Shakespeare Days and the National Shakespeare Festival in Gdansk. Considered the best Polish choir, the Schola Cantorum Gedanensis regularly performs in Gdansk as does the Capella Gedanensis, which specializes in the music of old Gdansk. The historic organs of the Oliwa Cathedral, St. Mary's Church and St. Nicholas' Church attract many outstanding musicians. The Forest Opera in Sopot was the venue for Wagner festivals before World War II and today it hosts concerts and the International Song Festival.

Something for Gourmets

The Tri-city is famous for fish. The Fish Hall in Gdynia offers every kind of seafood. The Polish Baltic coast is rich in herring, cod, salmon, eel, turbot and flounder. Hel hosts an annual competition for the most interesting herring dish and beer famous across the whole of Europe has been brewed in Gdansk for centuries.

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Other local specialties include Goldwasser, a clear herb liqueur with gold flakes, Piolunowka, a modern version of absinthe and Dzika Pszczola (Wild Bee), honey vodka made with forest herbs. Amber is a popular souvenir to bring back from Gdansk. If you do not find any on the shore there are ready-made amber decorative items and jewellery on sale at the numerous souvenir stores in the Tri-city.

Environs – A Trip into the Middle Ages

Tourists who want to travel further a field there are excursions to Malbork with its extensive Gothic castle complex. The Grand Master of the Teutonic Knights once lived in this fortress. "Light and sound" spectacles are regularly held here as well as knights' tournaments for those who find looking at museum collections is not enough.

The official website of Gdansk

The official website of Gdynia

Tourist information portal of Gdynia

The official website of Sopot

Comments

Steven

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It sure is all quite interesting what is written above. What I would like to add is that the Tri City area has quite many interesting sites to see for minorities, especially of jewish descent. I have just come to Tri City for a trip of "jewish heritage" organised by a small travel office from Gdansk - fifitravel.pl They take you to places not that well known by majority, but surely show how my folk has influenced the region, and what heritage we have left in Poland. I recommend kindly.

Wednesday 16 February 2011, 17:05

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