Dossier GDAŃSK. The city of Neptune

When you think Gdańsk, the first thing that should come to mind is the Baltic. And if you think the Baltic, the first thought should be amber. In order to get “the gold of the North”, it is best to go to Mariacka, an atmospheric street in the Old Town of Gdańsk. Intended only for pedestrians, it promotes walking and stopping at each stand to choose the best piece. For those who would like to learn more about amber, a trip to the Museum of Amber Inclusions may be an interesting option. The most interesting stones with sunken plants and animals can be admired on site. Admission to the museum is free. To purchase souvenirs from the Tri-City it is also worth visiting Galeria Sztuk Różnych (the Gallery of Various Arts), which is located on Ogarna Street. You can find there a wide selection of classy gifts, ranging from photo albums and painting, through china, fabrics and bags with prints. Original design and applied art attract lovers of paintings and photographs. The latter can buy photos of the Tri-City taken by Zbigniew and Maciej Kosycarz. The photos depict the everyday life of the inhabitants of the region, as well as the architecture of past years, which is hard to be found in the current structure of cities.

In Gdańsk, it worth getting off the beaten track and leave the beautiful old town for a walk in Zaspa district, densely woven with seemingly boring Plattenbau block of flats. Despite the overwhelming architecture, popular during the Polish People’s Republic period, representatives of contemporary art managed to bring out the beauty of the city with the help of street art. As many as 59 large-format paintings placed on the side facades of buildings and 19 arrangements of entrances to stairways constitute the Collection of Monumental Painting. For those interested in the subject, the city has prepared the possibility of an organized tour around Zaspa district. Free booking can be made at www.muralegdanskzaspa.pl. There are also dates of upcoming meetings with local guides.

Gdańsk Wrzeszcz and Wajdeloty Street are the other points on the map of Gdańsk that rewrite their history. This once forgotten district of Gdańsk, thanks to revitalization, has turnd over a new leaf and is now especially loved by hipsters. Spending long hours in local cafés and slow food restaurants, they contribute to the new image of Wrzeszcz. It is worth taking a look at Kurhaus café, vegan Avocado bistro or Fukafe vegan pastry confectionery and coffee house. Walking through the recesses of the district, you can see Strzyża River flowing between tenement houses. Criss-crossed by numerous bridges, it creates an atmosphere comparable to Venetian scenery. And if you want to go back in time for a moment, let’s go to Eskimo ice cream shop which – if you are to believe the citizens of Gdańsk – serves ice cream that evokes the taste of childhood. To buy an ice cream delicacy, you must first queue to get a special chip and then exchange it for a portion of the dessert.

For lovers of panoramic views and good scenery for photos, an interesting option will be climbing the Gradowa Mountain – 46 m a.s.l. makes it a good vantage point. From this perspective, the division of Gdańsk into the old part, dominated by historic tenement houses, and the new, with industrial Plattenbau buildings and blocks, is clearly visible. Gradowa Mountain is located in the city centre, and can be easily reached by public transport.

Gdańsk likes historic places and gives them a second life. A great example can be Elektryków Street, famous for its areas and interesting infrastructure of Gdańsk shipyard, which today is an alternative cultural centre. Old factories and scaffoldings are a meeting spot for residents and tourists attracted by good music and food. The organizers invite the best music producers to create a climatic place and fun until late night from June to September. All those who love leisurely Sunday mornings can take advantage of the rich breakfast offer served in industrial surroundings. Elektryków Street is located not far from the centre, about 10 minutes from SKM Gdańsk Stocznia station.