Visiting Poland represents two things: first, it’s a country that holds a piece of my family heritage and second, it is the fiftieth country we have visited in our travels.

Our ship docked in Gdynia one of the Tri-Cities of this Baltic region (Gdynia, Sopot and Gdansk).  Outside of docking here, we only drove through Gdynia with our fantastic tour guide for the day, Klaudia, from Easy Gdansk Tours on our way to our first quick stop.

First up was a brief drive through and stop in Sopot, the second of the Tri-Cities.  Known for its beaches, five star resorts and the long wooden pier, it is a high end resort city. 

From there, we moved onto Oliwa Cathedral.  Originally constructed in the 12th Century by the Cistercian Monastery.

It is a stunning cathedral known for its magnificent pipe organ.  It is comprised of 7800 pipes and 110 stops.  If you are following along, we have seen many beautiful examples of pipe organs.  This was the first time we were treated to a 20 minute concert which was striking in its complexity and nuance. 

Then we moved on to the main event, Gdansk (some may know the city by its German name of Danzig).  The history of the third of the Tri-Cities is varied and of significance over the ages from its origins of Teutonic Knight’s control in the middle ages through membership in the Hanseatic League to Prussian control in 1793, the German Empire in 1871, to a free state, to WWII and German occupation, to Eastern Block Communism, to Solidarity and Lech Walesa (who resides in Gdansk).  All the while being an important merchant seaport.  Largely destroyed in WWII and painstakingly restored. 

Our city walk began by passing through the prison and torture house and up to the main golden gate into Main Town.

Once you enter Main Town, Long Lane opens up all the way to City Hall with its spire.  Everywhere you turn is stunning building after building all very thematic but each having unique features and adornments.  There are many similarities to Amsterdam due to Dutch architects influencing the original structures. Along the way we noted Artus Court and the Neptune Fountain.

The imposing grandeur of the Mannerist Armoury if breathtaking.  Just around the corner is the main church, St. Mary’s dead center in the City. 

Again we had a treat as it was noon so the astronomical clock does its animated show of the procession of apostles followed by Adam and Eve on top marking twelve noon.

We continued down to the Motlawa River for lunch.  Comprised of a plate of pierogi, each with a different filling, zurek or sour rye soup, Kashubian-style herring with tomatoes, raisins and onions, and bigos or sauerkraut and stewed pork. 

Finished with a walk back through town with more surprises around the corners.

A remarkable historical city.