Gdańsk, City of Solidarity

Tim and I had hoped to take an optional tour in Gdańsk, but the one we wanted had been sold out when we were booking excursions. Luckily, once we were on the ship, two vacancies opened, and we were able to sign up for the “Gdańsk, City of Solidarity” tour.

Visiting the European Solidarity Center was important to me, especially when thinking about the recent invasion of Ukraine by Russia. The Solidarity Center celebrates the movement and the victory that was achieved peacefully thanks to the power of people uniting. The center opened in 2014 and quickly gained international recognition, picking up the prestigious Council of Europe Museum prize in 2016.

We began our tour at Solidarity Square where our guide explained the history and significance of the site. The Monument to the Fallen Shipyard Workers dominates the square, commemorating the death of participants in workers' protests in December 1970. On the lower parts of the three crosses are ten bas-reliefs that depict shipyard workers at work, as well as allegorical scenes referring to national solidarity and the struggle of Polish society against the communist regime.

Solidarity Square and Monument to the Fallen Shipyard Workers 

Monument to the Fallen Shipyard Workers - Bas Relief Panels

Nearby is the historic Gate No. 2 to the Gdańsk Shipyard, formerly known as the Lenin Shipyards, through which the shipyard workers emerged that December day and were then killed.

Gate No. 2 to the Gdańsk Shipyard

The Solidarity Center features a permanent exhibition dedicated to the history of Solidarity and the opposition, which led to the democratic transformation of the countries of Central and Eastern Europe. The exhibits came to life for us due to our amazing guide. She was able to provide first-hand experiences of those days and interpret what we were seeing.

Our Guide Made the Permanent Exhibits Come Alive

Following our tour of the center, we headed to Gdańsk’s historic center for a tour of the main sites. We discovered that Old Town Gdańsk is a picturesque and delightful place to visit. The red brick public buildings and the narrow, colorful facades are like eye-candy. Our tour through the cobblestone streets revealed one stunning sight after another.

Our introduction to the town began on the bridge crossing the Motlawa River. Here we gazed at the medieval townhouses along the waterfront, as well as the massive Crane at the far end. In front of us was the gorgeous Green Gate with its four arched openings that led to the Royal Way.

View Along the Waterfront

Great Spot for a Photo Op

The Green Gate

The Royal Way is the main promenade in Gdańsk and is lined with striking facades and the Main Town Hall. A centerpiece along the Royal Way is the statue of Neptune, one of Gdańsk’s most important landmarks. Cafes and shops line the thoroughfare, and it is a meeting place for both locals and tourists.

The Royal Way

The Royal Way

The Statue of Neptune

We also explored Mariacka Street, and I was particularly impressed with the rich architectural details on many of the houses in town. I especially loved the gargoyles. Along the street is St. Mary’s Cathedral, a medieval marvel and one of the largest brick churches in the world, and we were able to go inside. The interior was beautiful, but what really caught my attention was the astronomical clock, supposedly the biggest wooden clock in the world.

Wonderful Architectural Details

St. Mary's Cathedral

We had plenty of time on our own to further explore the town and to grab a bite of lunch. It was then time to head back to our ship – by boat! We sailed past the shipyard and ended up at the Westerplatte Monument, a war memorial to the defenders of the coast. Tim and I climbed to the monument and gazed down at the harbor, where Viking Venus was waiting for us.

Westerplatte Monument

Viking Venus Waiting for Us