By Lucyna Geniusz 1a

Gdańsk is the Polish maritime capital with the population nearing half a million. It is a large centre of economic life, science, culture, and a popular tourist destination. Lying on the Bay of Gdańsk and the southern cost of the Baltic Sea the city is a thousand years old. With its Hanseatic tradition, it has for ages played a major role in the commercial relationships between Northern and Western Europe on the one hand, and the countries of Central and Eastern Europe on the other hand. Today, Gdańsk is the capital of the Pomeranian province and an important administration centre.

The beginnings of Gdańsk go back to the The beginnings of Gdańsk go back to the year 980.Shortly before Easter 997 St year 980.Shortly before Easter 997 St

Wojciech or Adalbert, a missionary and Wojciech or Adalbert, a missionary and bishop of Bohemia, arrived in the area only to bishop of Bohemia, arrived in the area only to

be soon killed by the pagan Prussians. A be soon killed by the pagan Prussians. A Benedictine monk, Jan Canaparius from the Benedictine monk, Jan Canaparius from the Aventine monastery described his life and Aventine monastery described his life and death. In the records he referred to "urbs death. In the records he referred to "urbs Gyddanyzc" or the city of Gdańsk as the Gyddanyzc" or the city of Gdańsk as the

place where the saint was believed to have place where the saint was believed to have baptised a large number of the newly baptised a large number of the newly

converted. In this context today 's city on the converted. In this context today 's city on the Motława River was first mentioned in Motława River was first mentioned in

writing.writing.....

In 1580 the most famous Protestant school located in the post-Franciscan monastery of the Old Suburb was raised to the status of an Academic Gymnasium and became the pride of the city. That ancient Gdańsk, affluent and recognized in Europe, a melting pot of nations,

cultures, faiths, and tongues, the most international Polish city, formed a unique community of diversity. Polish writers of the times held a grudge against it, though the cause lay not in its cosmopolitan nature, but arrogance towards the Polish kings. And yet, facing the Swedish threat the city did not spare sacrifice to stage a determined defence winning the tough test of iron and gold. In 1734,besieged by

the Russians and Saxons Gdańsk rose again in defence of honour and the Polish throne of king Stanisław Leszczyński.Alas, following the

2nd partition of Poland the city could no longer escape Prussian annexation. Its hopes put in Napoleon 's new order turned out futile.

Taken over by the French in 1807 Gdańsk did gain the status of a Free City, however retained it only until 1814.

In 1997 Gdańsk celebrated its millennium and worshipped its patron, St Adalbert, thanks to whom the name of the city on the Motława River was first mentioned in written records. Widely open to the

world, Gdańsk has always been a European city to the core. "Nec temere, nec timide", i.e. fearlessly but

reasonably, is its motto one can read in Latin on the city 's grand coat of arms. History has travelled a full circle. The contemporary Gdańsk rings with life as in the olden days, and retaining its memories of the past

is building its own, separate identity.

Amber is sometimes referred to as the "gold of the north". Its origins are traced back to 40 million

years ago. The scientists cannot agree as to which tree species was the source of the resin that became fossilised in the sea waters millions of years ago.

The Greek, Roman, and Chinese cultures played a significant role in the ancient history of amber. In

those days the mineral was obviously sought for its decorative values. Furthermore, however, it was

ascribed magical, symbolic, and cult features. Alongside, its curing properties were also

discovered. The importance of the amber route for Europe went beyond the economic aspects. It paved

the way for spreading learning and culture.

There are many places worth visiting... Most of the monuments in Gdańsk are placed near the heart of its Old Town District, around the Long Street (ul.

Długa), streets parallel to it, and the Long Quay (Długie Pobrzeże). The best place to start your trip appears to the Upland Gate

(Brama Wyżynna) and the King's Road stretching beyond it. Having crossed The

Upland Gate, you'll find the Torture Tower (Katownia), which is planned to

house a museum of amber soon.

Next in line is the Golden Gate (Złota Brama) and, next to it, Manor of the Society of St. George (Dwór Bractwa Świętego Jerzego).

When you pass the Golden Gate and turn Left you will have possibilitty to visit Kabaret

EWAN - its best to do it on evening. People says Paris has its Moulin Rouge, Gdańsk has Kabaret

Ewan.

Long Street is main track of the town, where you'll be enchanted by the beautiful renovated XVI - XVII century houses, one of them being the Uphagen's House

(Dom Uphagena) - Museum of History of Gdańsk. All those venerable buildings are towered over by the beautiful and monumental Main Town Hall (Ratusz

Głównego Miasta). Walk inside, and you will not regret it - the splendid interior was renovated not so long ago. You can also view Flash animation with

rebuilding Town Hall history.

Nearby, on the Long Market (Długi Targ) you'll find the symbol of Gdańsk - Neptune's fountain.

Behind it is the beautiful Artus' Court (Dwór Artusa) and the New House of the Court with The

Lady from the Window the amazing Golden House (Złota Kamieniczka).

At the end of the Long Market, you'll find the Green Gate (Zielona Brama), with the picturesque Long Quay (Długie Pobrzeże) stretching beyond it

and the Granary Island (Wyspa Spichrzów - unfortunately still in ruins) opposite the Long

Quay. The Central Maritime Museum (Centralne Muzeum Morskie) is located on the quay while

Ołowianka island faces it (during summertime the Baltic Philharmonic gives concerts there).

During your walk on the Long Quay, you will pass Gdańsk Harbor (Przystań). You can come back here in a while when you feel like taking a boat trip to Sopot, Gdynia or Hel.

But don't look only at the ships on your right, or else you will miss another great monument on your left - the Crane (Żuraw). And of course - St. Mary's Gate (Brama Mariacka) which reveals a street of the same name, considered to be one of the most

beautiful in Europe and leading to Poland's biggest church, St. Mary's Church (Bazylika Mariacka). While you're around, you mustn't miss the Archeological

Museum (Muzeum Archeologiczne), the most important archeological institution in northern Poland, with its collection composed of 27 thousand archaeological,

ethnographical, numismatical and natural exhibits.

Another place worth seeing is the Three Crosses Monument- a homage to dockyard workers, who died in December 1970 in Gdańsk. Near the Monument, Gdańsk Dockyard's BHP Hall houses the "Ways to freedom" exhibition, where you can return to the old times and see a store where the only goods you could buy were tomato sauce and vinegar. You'll also be amazed to see an antique telephone box and other things which are all a part of the past now.

Another one of Gdańsk districts is also worth a visit - Oliwa. You can admire The Oliwa Cathedral there, and enjoy the music of its famous baroque organs. The cathedral hosts numerous organ concerts in the summer. We recommend a walk through the lovely Oliwa Park, with its Exotic Palm House (Palmiarnia) where guests of the Polish Chamber Choir often perform. While still in Oliwa, please stop by at the Abbot's Palace and the Ethnographical Museum, or at the famous Oliwa ZOO, which is the largest in Poland.

The Gdańsk ZOO of today is the largest zoological garden in Poland and one of the most attractive recreational and educational facilities in the Wybrzeże coastal belt. Its gates open to throngs of visitors every year, Tri-City residents and tourists alike.

The credit for the development of the Oliwa ZOO must first go to its staff, then the public. Led by

director Michał Massalski incessant in his energy and dedication volunteers did most works free of

charge.

The variety of the Oliwa ZOO collection gradually grows. Today, the gardens have pigmy hippos, antelopes, lowland tapirs, African hippos, sabre-tooth

oryxes, zebras, capybaras, orang-utans, maned wolves, flamingos, and penguins. The youngest visitors enjoy their own, "pet zoo". The complex has recently gained a new ape pavilion to house orang-utans and chimps, and the

whole site has been given a new and esthetical final touch.

If you want know more about this beautifull city, go to www.gdansk.pl