Historic Old Town Gdańsk’s

Searching for trip ideas? Find travel destinations and advice on The Intentional Travelers and the best way to find anything is to search here.

Old Town Gdańsk ( Eng. spelling Gdansk ) is famous for its stunning architecture, historic character and amazing atmosphere that includes the iconic Main Town Hall Square and St. Mary’s Church. It all offersa a beautiful glimpse into the city’s history, but much of it is not what it seems.

The truth of Old Town Gdańsk is that it is mostly a recreation involving years of research, construction and restoration. Poland, and especially Gdańsk, were devastated by both the Germans and the Russians during WWII. The Invasion of Poland in 1939 by Nazi Germany marked the start of World War II, with the German battleship Schleswig-Holstein opening fire on the Polish-controlled harbor of Danzig, Gdańsks port.

Gdańsk suffered almost total destruction during the war from both sides, especially in the spring of 1945 when it became a last-ditch German stronghold against the Red Army’s advance on Berlin. Gdańsk had become a military stronghold after being remade into a German vision of what the city should look like featuring iconic German architecture.

The siege of Gdańsk and Danzig was launched by the Red Army against Nazi Germany’s occupied Poland in March 1945. Gdańsk was left in complete ruin due to the bombardments, street fighting, and resulting fires, with most of the city’s landmarks completely destroyed.

Here Are A Few More Of Our Recent Posts You Might Find Interesting…