This Old Town in Poland will sweep your ground

After touring through the more popular European cities which leave a visitor enchanted with their architecture and museums, gardens and canals, cathedrals and castles, I was quite convinced I must now begin scouting for the second layer of travel wealth that remains hidden from the touristic commercialism. Something more pristine, more satisfying to the soul of a traveler. Long before I could nurture this thought and see it take me over, I was proved wrong, yet again by one of the old historic cities of Europe and its remarkable appeal.

I happened to make a short trip to Gdańsk, which is a port city in the Baltic Coast of Poland. And a casual evening stroll into the Old Town of Gdańsk made me stop in my shoes. I was looking at the finest form of architectural beauty, less explored but not less admirable, little heard of but, by no means any less precious. It appeared to me that this surreal colorful town has probably emerged from the abyss overnight. I was enthralled.

But the truth stirred me up even more. This beautiful town was almost completely destroyed during the World War II, and it was rebuilt later by the Polish citizens years after the war. A walk through the Dlugi Targ street with several gabled roof houses, cafés and restaurants, and other historical sites immersed me in a fairy-tale like exoticism. I can’t be sure if the pictures below are able to do justice to what the architect of this Old Town would have desired to reflect. But I tried!

Długi Targ, Gdańsk, Poland

A prelude to its its bewildering townscape came calling even before I set foot on the ground. Even as a flight passenger, I was an amazed onlooker.

Aerial view of Gdańsk

Gdańsk is a part of the Tri-city of Poland, together with its cousin towns of Gdynia and Sopot.  They are all within a distance of 15 kms from each other, and have a unique character of their own. Gdynia has an attractive Sea Boulevard, while Sopot is known for its longest wooden pier that is open to public. One gets to walk a kilometer into the sea, crossing the sandy beach stretch on either side, and feeling the breeze right through.

One weekend is all you need to fall in love with this Tri-city. Would you like to travel to this captivating place? 🙂