Euro 2012 City Guide: Gdańsk, Poland

Fans visiting this Polish city can enjoy the new purpose built stadium that will host a clutch of group games and a quarter-final at Euro 2012

27 Nov 2011 01:00:00

By James Daly

GDANSK, POLAND
Population: 455,830
(Metro: 1,080,700)
Motto: Nec Temere, Nec Timide. ("Freedom of Culture, Culture of Freedom")
Euro Stadium: PGE Arena Gdansk (44,000)
Major Clubs: Lechia Gdansk

Welcome to Gdansk for Euro 2012

In case you were wondering, it's pronounced exactly as it is spelt - 'ge-dansk' - which sounds a little bit like the sound the ball used to make in Pong when it bounced off a paddle. You can, though, also get away with the Anglo-German version of 'Danzig'. That should help you avoid any embarrasing taxi rides.

Local History

Whatever you do in Gdansk, definitely don't mention the war. The second world war was in fact triggered by a dispute over the ownership of Gdansk, and by the end of the conflict it lay in ruins. And like many fellow Polish cities, once the Germans were kicked out, many of the flattened buildings were painstakingly restored or rebuilt.

More recently Gdansk is known as the birthplace of Solidarity, the democratic movement that helped to bring down the communist government in Poland, and subsequently marked the beginning of the end of The Cold War.

Famous For...

It's shipyard. And not just for the ships. A 1980 strike by 17,000 ship builders led by shipyard electrician Lech Wałęsa, who became the city's first post-Soviet president, saw Solidarity recognised as the first non-communist trade union in the then Soviet Bloc. It triggered the eventual collapse of communism across eastern Europe.



Places To Stay

Qubus Hotel (right): Your up-market option for Gdansk, the Qubus was opened in 2009 and offers a unique view of the Motława River and the Gdansk Old Town. Also on the table: richly equipped rooms with a stunning breakfast and free internet access.

Hotel Parnas: Not quite as expensive as the Qubus, this quiet, small and elegant hotel is run by an older local gentleman. Situated right in the heart of the city, rooms are spacious and tastefully decorated.

Baltic Hostel: On a budget? The Baltic Hostel is a two-minute walk east of Gdansk Glowny train station and just 10 minutes on foot from the old town. Simple rooms in a one-storey building near the old shipyard area.
Places To Visit

Main City Hall (right): This is the place where many of Gdansk's plans unfolded, and the museum inside the hall includes some exhibits about the history of the city. There are also some pretty powerful photos of the destruction after the second world war.

Solidarity Centre Foundation: Found in the converted bunker near the station, this musem is full of information on the event that made the city famous.

Długie Pobrzerze: These are a set of stunning old houses that stand along the river bank. They can be nicely observed from the other bank of Motława.
Did You Know?

Gdańsk is sometimes called the Amber Capital of the World, on account of the precious stone being all around the city's surrounding areas. As a result the product can be found in many of the local shops, and are a popular item with tourists.


Famous Face from Gdansk

Gunter Grass. Another Nobel Prize winner from Poland, this time for literature. The German-born novelist also dabbles in poetry and art, but is most famous for his books, many of which hark back to his childhood in Danzig. After spending time in an American prisoner of war camp he settled in Germany after the war but retains a close association with his home city.

Follow Goal.com on Twitter

Follow Goal.com on Facebook
 
play pause open close
 

EURO 2012 Live Update

Read More »
21:50 BST -  And here are some quotes from today's goalscorer, Danny Welbeck: "It's still the same, me and Ashley [Young] playing together.

"We know each other's games and obviously we're training with each other day in and day out.

"So, it was really good to start up top with him."

Inside Goal.Com

  1. Welbeck convinces Hodgson he is the man to lead the line Welbeck convinces Hodgson he is the man to lead the line

    England beat Norway 1-0 at Wembley, with the Manchester United man hitting an impressive winner to stake his claim for a starting spot at Euro 2012

  2. The five players Rodgers could sign to kick-start revolution The five players Rodgers could sign to kick-start revolution

    The new Reds boss was unveiled to the press on Friday and must immediately begin work on revitalising a thin squad with some additions in the transfer market

  3. Managerial merry-go-round keeps spinning as Lambert takes Villa job Managerial merry-go-round keeps spinning as Lambert takes Villa job

    The Scot officially left Norwich City on Saturday to become the second new boss in June, following the appointment of Brendan Rodgers at Liverpool on Friday

  4. Rodgers ushers in new Anfield era on his own terms Rodgers ushers in new Anfield era on his own terms

    The Northern Irishman inevitably expressed his delight at landing the Reds job but evidenced plenty of the steely resolve which could see him become a success at Anfield

  5. The definitive timeline of FSG's hunt for new manager The definitive timeline of FSG's hunt for new manager

    Kenny Dalglish's sacking at the end of the season sparked a massive hunt for the next Anfield boss, and the former Swansea man has been chosen after several turned the job down