Gdansk

Gdansk: history & character

Gdansk, founded as a Slavic settlement in the 10th century and a German Hanseatic colony from the 13th (Danzig), was for centuries one of Europe's most prosperous port cities — a warehouse for amber, grain and timber. As the Free City of Danzig between the World Wars, this is where WWII began on September 1, 1939 at Westerplatte. Destroyed 90% in 1945, the Old Town was rebuilt identically. Now Poland's sixth city (470,000 people) with Sopot and Gdynia, Gdansk forms the Trójmiasto (Tri-City) of the Baltic coast. For travellers with a dog, Gdansk is one of the most complete Baltic destinations: a pedestrian Hanseatic Old Town, year-round dog beaches (Sopot, Brzeźno, Stogi), the Tri-City Landscape Park with 200 km of trails, and among Europe's lowest hotel pet supplements (10-18 €/night).