For Tourist

Gdansk plays as one of the most favorite touristic places not only among Poles, but among all Europe. Germans and Scandinavians have particularly delighted in its atmosphere. Nothing seems so extraordinary in it when one recalls the history of Gdansk which begins as a medieval story of the city placed on the mercantile trails. The city which warmly welcomed its neighbors and distant foreigners and shows the past splendor in its historical treasures.

Madison Gallery is located in the heart of the historical Old Town fitting in with its tissue. You will find it on the crossroad of touristic trails which makes it a perfect place to stop to rest awhile during city sightseeing. You should pop in here to at least visit the Tourist Information. Owing to the location, Madison is an ideal waypoint and the Tourist Information workers will let you know the secrets what to see or which hotel will prove to be your best choice.

Madison is a midtown shopping center and it knows and understands its surroundings. We are aware of the uniqueness of our city and for this reason we want to share our passion we feel towards it.

Monuments

It is the only place of this kind in Europe, which not only commemorates the fall of communism, but is also situated near Gdańsk Shipyard, where the decisive events of Solidarity movement took place.

The monument commemorating the victims of the 1970 Polish Protests, which took place in December 1970, is situated just in front of the entrance to the premises of Gdańsk Shipyard. The monument is 42 meters tall and is famous for the fact that the colleagues of the fallen shipyard workers held long debates concerning erection of the monument with the authorities of the communist regime. In the end, they managed to win the dispute after 10 years of negotiations.

Gdańsk Shipyard is one of the largest shipyards in Poland. A walk across the wasteland of the shipyard can take you to another dimension. The huge production buildings, where one can find the remains used to construct ships and famous cranes, truly resemble an excursion off the beaten track.

Nowadays, it is considered to be the best beauty spot in the town. Nobody needs to be guided to find this place. The Millennium Cross, situated at the very peak of the hill, is perfectly visible during the daytime and at night, when it is brightly illuminated.

The old fort, situated on the hillside of Góra Gradowa, was chosen to be the location of the science center. Walking along its historical corridors and halls, we can watch interactive scientific exhibitions, whereas the light illuminations emphasize the unique architecture and interior design of the monument.

This modern museum houses historical materials dating back to as early as the First World War. The collection should allow you to become entirely familiar with particular stages of the conflict and go on a fascinating military trip. Additionally, it must be remembered that the vicinity of the museum is also worth seeing. Stop for a while at the Radunia Canal, among the beautiful buildings and developments, and admire the breathtaking beauty of the landscape.

This distinctive bridge is situated just at the mouth of the Radunia Canal. As one of few monuments in Gdańsk, the bridge survived the war activities in 1945 intact. Looking around the surroundings, one can see Ołowianka Island, the building of the Museum of the Second World War, as well as new housing estates towering over the Motława River.

The watermill, which belongs to one of the oldest structures in Gdańsk, dates back to the 14 th century. It is not only the building which deserves some attention, but also its surroundings, which are extremely popular among tourists. Walking around the monument, it is difficult to believe that it is situated in the very center of the city.

Jan III Sobieski Monument presents the triumphant famous Polish king, riding on horseback, who notched up a glorious victory over the Turks at the Battle of Vienna. The intriguing story of the monument recounts that the monument was primarily situated in Lvov, which belonged to Poland at the time. Once the city was lost, the monument was transferred to Warsaw, and subsequently moved to the square in Gdańsk.

The island aspires to be a unique place among Gdańsk locations. The building of Polish Baltic Philharmonic, which illuminates the city panorama every evening, is situated on the island. Right beside the concert hall, you can walk along Bursztynowa Promenada Gwiazd [Amber Promenade of Stars] and listen to a music fountain, whereas just round the corner visitors can admire the distinctive architecture of the granaries, which will take on a trip across the course of history.

SS Sołdek is a ship mooring proudly just on the shore of Ołowianka Island. It is practically impossible not to spot the ship. Being the first seagoing ship built completely in Poland after the Second World War, SS Sołdek is the real pride of the Polish shipyards. The ship is available for visitors all year round.

The real icon of Gdańsk is situated at the very bank of the Motława River. In fact, it is a perfect excuse to have a stopover while walking between the colorful tenements. One should look inside and see the technological solutions dating back to the Middle Ages.

It is an avant-garde place, where famous Klub Morza ‘Zejman’ [Zejman Sea Club] is located. Not only will you listen to sea shanties here, but it is also a place for listening to good music in general and, above all, a place where delicious beer is served.

The promenade runs along the Motława River. The restaurants of the most renowned Gdańsk restaurateurs are located here. It is highly recommendable to drop by for lunch or just one espresso, which you can drink while reading morning press, simultaneously gazing at passenger ships moving languidly through the Motława River.

The biggest church in Europe built completely in brick is located in seaside Tricity. Apart from the priceless monuments dating back to the Middle Ages, the basilica features a soaring tower, from which tourists can see the Baltic Sea.

There is no similar place in the world. The cozy street, fully pedestrianized, is an alley of the amber stalls, restaurants with excellent wines and a true retreat, which, in summertime, stands out against the surroundings because of the colorful flower garlands.

Targ Węglowy is going to greet you first, just before entering famous Długi Targ [Long Market]. The place is gripping due to its architecture, i.e. Baszta Słomiana [the Straw Tower] and Dwór Bractwa św. Jerzego [Court of the Fraternity of St. George], and this is actually the place where the city fêtes and fairs take place, whereas the café parasols are unfurled right next to Teatr Wybrzeże [Wybrzeże Theatre].

Entering Długi Targ [Long Market] from Targ Węglowy [the Coal Market], we need to go under Golden Gate, which is one of the most precious monuments of Gdańsk. One should, above all, pay attention to the sculptures, coming from Piotr Ringering’s chisel, standing on the balustrade and to the Latin motto carved out from the side of Długi Targ. The titbit is that allegedly a spelling mistake was hidden in one of the words in the sentence.

Uphagen’s House presents a journey to the times of the previous splendor of Gdańsk. The building is situated in Długi Targ and is the only tenement in the Main Town available to visitors. The tenement features the décor of a flat dating back to the 18 th century, which belonged to a merchant family enamored with sumptuousness and luxury.

This is a must-see place on the map of Gdańsk. It is Długi Targ where you find Neptune's Fountain, the Town Hall, and at the very entrance you walk under Golden Gate - a real gem of Tricity’s monuments, where local sellers tend to lay out colorful flowers almost all year round.

It is a household name. Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit was actually born in Gdańsk and the residents of Gdańsk erected a structure referring to the meteorological columns originating from the 18 th century as a tribute and form of commemoration to the inventor.

It is probably the most famous monument in Gdańsk and the main attraction to be encountered while walking in the Main Town and Old Town. Neptune's Fountain attracts tourists from all over the world and is a prime example of mannerist art, which means that we will discern its well-conceived form and beauty of the sculpture regardless of the place from which we observe it. As the Kashubians say, everybody who is visiting Gdańsk must kiss the sculpture below its back.

Worldwide unique, the foregate area towers over Golden Gate and the Coal Market. It is one of the first structures to be spotted while walking across the Main Town. It used to be one of the strictest prisons in the 17 th century. Yet, the prison nowadays houses exhibitions showing the greatest treasure of the Baltic Sea - amber.

An ideal place for a hike around the districts of Gdańsk, where historical architecture fits into the beauty of the natural and picturesque terrain. Different in terms of the architecture, the vicinity features ruins of the oldest structures in Gdańsk. It is also here, on the border of Old Suburb and Lower City, that we can enter the beauty spot called Żubr Bastion.

Another attraction of Gdańsk located off the beaten track is situated in the surroundings of the Lower Town. While visiting Kieturakis Hospital, you will feel the atmosphere of thrillers, as well as you will admire the court architecture dating back to the 19 th century. You had better hurry up, at least to see the outer part of the building, as the hospital is soon going to be transformed into a hotel complex.

Gdańsk residents claim that the city of Gdańsk will exist for as long as St Catherine’s Church exists. Erected in the 13th century, it is the oldest church in the town and simultaneously the structure which has experienced the biggest number of difficult moments. St Cahterine’s Church has survived collapses, blaze of the tower, the Second World War, raging storm or even the fire of the entire structure. Yet, the church still stands and captivates with its baroque dome at the top of the tower, the minimalism of the protestant interiors and the 49-bell carillon. Indeed, St Catherine’s Church appears to be a real gem of Gdańsk’s Old Town.

St Bridget’s Church is best known in the history of Gdańsk as a sanctuary for the leaders of Solidarność movement. Founded as a place of worship for the members of Bridgettine Order, the church became an important line of resistance against the communist regime and point of support for the members of Solidarność during martial law. Nowadays, St Bridget’s Church is still a significant place for the heroes of those times.

It is the only church in Gdańsk which survived the siege of Russian soldiers during the Second World War. St Nicholas’ Church seems to enjoy the status of an exceptional place within the local community as the Dominican Order, accommodated in the basilica, is involved in numerous activities addressed to help the needy. The building houses valuable relics and monuments representing the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, the Baroque and Rococo. Its unique aura is easily perceptible to all visitors.

The observatory is situated in the Old Town between the Museum of the Second World War and Madison Shopping Mall. Rumor has it that the origins of the Observatory date back to identification of Vega (star) in the sky, which was subsequently inspiration for educating the local youth fascinated with secrets of the night sky. Serving as a scientific center, the Observatory offers numerous workshops and meetings for all astronomy aficionados..

Nowadays, the Old Town Hall accommodates the Baltic Sea Cultural Center, which is a meeting place for artists representing various fields of arts. As a matter of fact, the Old Town Hall is the venue where musicians, painters and sculptors exhibit their works, whereas actors use the premises to put on their performances. It is no coincidence that they chose the building as the forum for exchanging their artistic ideas. Erected in the Renaissance era, the Old Town Hall was designed in the style of Netherlandish Mannerism and attracts tourists’ attention by its unique architectural form.

Intended for pedestrians, the footbridge has been distinguished at several bridge design competitions and facilitates sightseeing of Gdańsk. Yet, its primary role is to allow people to reach picturesque Ołowianka Island. Once you have crossed the footbridge, take a stroll along the northern coast of the island, which appears to be a charming destination, familiar to only a handful of visitors.

During St Dominic’s Fair, Fish Market is becoming a dream destination for various collectors and flea market aficionados. The locals and tourists meet here in the off-season to relish the Motława sights while lying on the loungers provided. It is a perfect location which will allow you to feel the genius loci of Gdańsk.

1. European Solidarity Centre

JIt is the only place of this kind in Europe, which not only commemorates the fall of communism, but is also situated near Gdańsk Shipyard, where the decisive events of Solidarity movement took place.

2. Monument to the Fallen Shipyard Workers of 1970

Gdańsk Shipyard

4. Fort

5. Hewelianum Centre

6. The Museum of the Second World War

7. Limestone Bridge

8. The Great Watermill

9. Jan III Sobieski Monument

10. Ołowianka Island

11. SS Sołdek

12. The Crane

13. Granary Island

14. Long Riverbank

15. St. Mary’s Church

16. St. Mary’s Street

17. The Coal Market

18. Golden Gate

19. Uphagen’s House

20. Long Market

21. Fahrenheit's Thermometer

22. Neptune's Fountain

23. Prison Tower and Amber Museum

24. Old Suburb

25. Kieturakis Hospital

26. St Catherine’s Church

Gdańszczanie mawiają, że dopóki stać będzie Kościół Św. Katarzyny, dopóty stać będzie Gdańsk. Jest to najstarszy kościół w mieście powstały w XIII wieku, a jako budowla przeszedł ze wszystkich najwięcej trudnych momentów. Ma za sobą zawalenia, pożar wieży, II Wojnę Światową, sztorm, czy nawet pożar. Kościół stoi jednak do dziś. Zachwyca barokowym hełmem na szczycie wieży, minimalizmem protestanckich wnętrz i instrumentem muzycznym do gry na 49 dzwonach: carillonem. Zaiste prawdziwa perła gdańskiego Starego Miasta.

27. Kościół Św. Brygidy

Kościół Św. Brygidy zaistniał w historii Gdańska jako azyl duszpasterski dla ruchu Solidarności. Niegdyś zakon brygidek, w czasach stanu wojennego ważny punkt oporu przeciw reżimowi komunistycznemu i wsparcia działań członków Solidarności. Do dzisiaj pozostaje ważnym miejscem, dla bohaterów tamtych czasów.

28. St Nicholas’ Church

Jest to jedyna świątynia w Gdańsku, która ocalała oblężenie radzieckich żołnierzy podczas II Wojny Światowej. Miejsce szczególne w lokalnej społeczności, ponieważ zakon dominikanów bazyliki czynnie działa na rzecz pomocy potrzebującym. Budowla skrywa cenne zabytki okresu średniowiecza, renesansu, baroku i rokoka. Jej wyjątkowa aura daje odczuć się wszystkim odwiedzającym.

29. Observatory

Obserwatorium znajduje się na Starym Mieście między Muzeum II Wojny Światowej a Galerią Madison. Podobno jego początki miały miejsce od wskazania na niebie gwiazdy Wega, co stało się inspiracją do kształcenia zapatrzonej w nocne niebo gdańskiej młodzieży. Jako ośrodek naukowy proponuje liczne warsztaty oraz spotkania dla wszystkich pasjonatów astronomii.

30. Old Town Hall

Dziś Ratusz pełni funkcję Nadbałtyckiego Centrum Kultury, gdzie spotykają się artyści różnych sztuk. Muzycy, malarze, aktorzy, rzeźbiarze wystawiają tutaj swoje dzieła. Nie bez przyczyny to właśnie ten budynek stał się ich forum. Ratusz w okresie renesansu został wzniesiony w stylu niderlandzkiego manieryzmu i samą swoją formą przykuwa uwagę turystów.

31. Ołowianka Island Footbridge

Przeznaczona dla pieszych kładka została laureatem konkursów mostowych i znacznie ułatwia zwiedzanie miasta, a przede wszystkim pozwala szybciej dostać się na malowniczą wyspę Ołowiankę. Kiedy już przez nią przejdziesz, przespaceruj się wzdłuż północnego brzegu wyspy – miejsce malownicze, a znane nielicznym.

32. Fish Market

Podczas Jarmarku Dominikańskiego Targ Rybny staje się wymarzonym miejscem dla różnych kolekcjonerów oraz amatorów pchlego targu. Poza sezonem spotykają się tutaj miejscowi oraz turyści, aby na leżakach delektować się nadmotławskim widokiem. Jest to idealny punkt, który pozwoli poczuć genius loci Gdańska.

33. The Polish Baltic Philharmonic

Prosperująca od 1945 roku orkiestra Państwowej Filharmonii Bałtyckiej doczekała się w końcu przepięknego budynku, który wieczorem cieszy oczy spacerowiczów chadzających wzdłuż brzegów Motławy. Architektonicznie urzeka, ponieważ projektanci wykorzystali budynki zabytkowej elektrowni i dostosowali je do potrzeb Filharmonii; muzycznie zachwyca, ponieważ odbywają się tu koncerty wybitnych muzyków, którzy niekiedy koncertują tuż nad wodą, rozkładając instrumenty na motławskiej promenadzie.

H1. Hotel Scandic

H2. Hotel Mercure

H3. Hotel Ibis

H4. Hotel Bonum

H5. Hotel Hilton

H6. Hotel Wolne Miasto

H7. Hotel Hanza

H8. Hotel Królewski

H9. Hotel Podewils

H10. Hotel Radisson Blue